Welcome to the TGIF edition of Law News for You—brought to you by LawyersandSettlements.com.
The Top 10 legal news stories our readers were most interested in this week.
#1 The Obstacle Course to Bayer Monsanto’s Roundup SettlementsSanta Clara, CA Almost 43,000 plaintiffs claiming that Bayer’s Monsanto Roundup weed killer caused their non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been told by their attorneys that several obstacles must be overcome before reaching the finish line -- the settlement. Bayer says the Roundup settlement may total $10 billion, which makes it one of the most complex and costliest litigations—but still not close to Apple v. Samsung ($40 billion) and the BP Oil Spill ($42 billion).
#2 Aftermath of a Horrific Amusement Park AccidentLouisville, KY It is not only a parent's worst nightmare but anyone's worst nightmare??"in this case an Amusement Park Accident at a popular theme park that resulted in a 13-year-old girl having both of her feet severed above the ankle. Kaitlyn Lasitter survived, and doctors were able to re-attach her right foot. But they could not save her left, and Kaitlyn now walks with a prosthesis.
#3 Target Red Card Lawsuit Poised to Settle for $8.2 MillionSan Diego, CA On December 2, the Southern District of California granted preliminary approval to the settlement of a class action lawsuit that shone a light on the real cost of Target’s Red Card purchases for thousands of Target shoppers since 2012. The store-branded payment card permitted Target to charge Returned Payment Fees (RPFs) of $20 to $40 in addition to multiple bank overdraft fees on purchases for which there were insufficient funds in a customer’s account.
#4 Rantidine Recalls Stoke Zantac Cancer LawsuitsWashington, DC A cascade of recalls – by Sanofi, the manufacturer of Zantac and a collection of pharmacies that distribute the heartburn drug – is fuel to the fire of the Zantac cancer lawsuits now forming. Lawyers reportedly anticipate an explosion of Zantac lawsuits over the next several months.
#5 Judge to Uber on AB5: That Means You, Too, and NowLos Angeles, CA On February 10, the District Court for the Central District of California denied a motion for injunction that would halt enforcement of California’s Gig Worker Law against Uber and Postmates while both companies challenge the law’s constitutionality. The decision means that both companies must begin to treat workers as employees in accord with California labor law--and entitled (with few exceptions) to the benefits of California’s prevailing wage laws.
#7 Lisinopril—Hidden DangersLas Vegas, NV Many prescription drugs are as common as aspirin; it's no wonder that many consumers don't read warning labels or consider that a medication could be associated with side effects. Take Lisinopril, for instance. It is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the US, and it also has the potential to harm a lot of people.
#8 Strippers Settle California Labor Lawsuit for $3.65 MillionRiverside, CA The District Court for the Central District of California has approved a $3.65 million settlement to end a California labor lawsuit that claims The Spearmint Rhino nightclub chain misclassified dancers as independent contractors in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and provisions of California Labor Law. The dancers, who "provided nude, semi-nude, and/or bikini entertainment," at the club’s locations since Oct. 30, 2017, will ultimately net about $2.6 million.
#9 E-Cigarette Toxic Vape Ban Less Than Meets the Eye, Critics SayWashington, DC Effective February 6, a change in FDA policy banned sales of fruit, mint and dessert-flavored vape pods that were reportedly intended to attract teens. The effectiveness of this ban in protecting young consumers from e-cigarette health hazards remains in doubt, however. The ban does not affect menthol or tobacco-flavored pods, open-tank systems and thousands of flavored e-liquids not in pod form, including a disposable brand called Puff Bar that comes in flavors such as strawberry, cool mint and mango.
#10 3M Earplug Lawsuits Filed by Veterans MountingMaplewood, MN As of January 2020, approximately 1,000 defective earplug lawsuits, filed by over 2,000 U.S. veterans were transferred to the MDL court in Florida. All plaintiffs claim that 3M, the manufacturer, knew the earplugs worn by vets during combat in Iraq or Afghanistan or while training on U.S. military bases would result in hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
