#1 Rollins v. Dignity Health Creeps toward SettlementOakland, CA Rollins v. Dignity Health, a nearly nine-year old ERISA lawsuit that has been moving through the federal court system since 2013, may be one step closer to settling. The Northern District of California has preliminarily approved a deal with the addition of an additional sub-class of plaintiffs. The same court rejected proposed settlement agreements twice before on a variety of grounds. This is further toward resolution than the parties have gotten before.
#2 Poultry Processers to Pay $85m for Alleged Wage-FixingSanta Clara, CA Three poultry processors and a consulting firm have agreed to pay $85 million to plant workers who were affected by an alleged wage-fixing scheme, the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced. Cargill, Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms (now Wayne-Sanderson Farms) were accused by the DOJ of suppressing worker pay at the plants and using deceptive tactics against poultry growers.
#3 United Airlines Appears to Stiff Early RetireesChicago, IL Cast your mind back to 2020. We were staying at home, fully masked, wearing blue gloves, bleaching our kitchen counters and very worried about people living in congregate settings, like nursing homes. Needless to say, we weren’t flying anywhere. United Airlines, like all other airlines, had a powerful incentive to reduce overhead, including employee costs. Such is the background for this ERISA lawsuit.
#5 Emergency Departments Still Overcharging Patients, Lawsuit FiledNashville, TN There was a flurry of reports and studies about five years ago that found routine price gouging in emergency rooms nationwide, and it was worse for the most vulnerable populations – poor and minority patients. It appears that, no matter how advanced medical technology gets, many emergency room patients are left in the dark, and left with an unexpectedly huge ER overcharges bill.
#6 Zetia and/or Statins: The Good, the Bad and the UglyHalle-Wittenberg, Germany Can a drug designed to curb heart attacks also cause heart attacks in some people? Apparently, it's possible with statins or medication like Zetia when used in combination with a statin. Statins are designed to lower the "bad" cholesterol thought to be a contributing factor for heart attack and stroke, while leaving the so-called "good" cholesterol to do the good work that good cholesterol, ultimately, does.
#7 California College Educator Paid Below Minimum WageCerritos, CA California’s community colleges rely heavily on part-time instructors, and they also rely on cheap labor. Charles, a part-time college educator, says he was paid below minimum wage because prep time and class room set-ups aren’t billable. And he doesn’t qualify for health benefits.
#8 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.
#10 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.
