#1 Are Forfeiture Lawsuits the Next Trend for ERISA Litigation in 2024?Oakland, CA - On December 13, Clorox Co. asked the Northern District of California to dismiss a class action ERISA breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit that targets the company’s longstanding practice of using forfeited employer contributions to participants’ accounts to reduce its required contributions to the plan. Plan participants argue that forfeited amounts should instead be used to defray the plan’s administrative expenses.
#2 Seroquel Side Effects for the ElderlyPearblossom, CA - Seroquel is a neuroleptic indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder—and like most drugs carries a host of Seroquel side effects, including diabetes, tardive dyskinesia and even birth defects. However, there is a little-known use for Seroquel off-label that concerned the daughter of one Alzheimer's patient for whom she was caring.
#3 $155 Million Overtime Settlement Approved for Prison SupervisorsSan Francisco, CA - A $155 million overtime settlement filed by current and retired California prison supervisors has been approved by a San Francisco Superior Court Judge. The original California labor lawsuit, dating back to 2008, alleged unpaid overtime wages for tasks performed before and after their shifts.
#4 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.
#5 Camp Lejeune Litigation on Track, First Settlements Reached, and Unpublished Cancer StudyJacksonville, N.C - November has been a big month for Camp Lejeune attorneys. Litigation is on track – literally. Discovery is divided into two tracks of five illnesses each and the first lawsuits are slated for 2024. The first government settlements have finally been accepted and Reuters reported an unpublished study finding elevated Camp Lejeune cancer rates at the U.S. military base, which could result in even more Camp Lejeune lawsuits.
#6 WestRock Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Amounts to $9.5 millionLos Angeles, CA - A Los Angeles jury sided with a WestRock employee who claimed he was discriminated against and awarded him $9.5 million in a California labor lawsuit. Lowry McCray accused the cardboard packaging giant of terminating him because he has a mental disability that caused his unfair treatment in the workplace. Further, WestRock refused to investigate the unfair treatment that could have helped McCray.
#8 Activision Blizzard Agrees to $54 million Gender Discrimination SettlementLos Angeles, CA - Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay over $50 million to settle a gender discrimination lawsuit brought by California's civil rights agency. Female employees of the video game maker claimed they were constantly faced with sexual harassment, and the company employed few women in leadership roles. If they were in leadership roles, they earned less salary, incentive pay and total compensation than their male peers.
#9 New California Employment Laws for 2024Sacramento, CA - California has become the nation’s employment law trendsetter. California Legislature passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed, a number of new or amended California employment laws that take effect January 2024 that could impact the business and the culture of the workplace. And they can make a difference to Californians’ lives, from cannabis users to employees who have suffered a “reproductive loss event”, from miscarriage to failed adoption.
#10 Bayer Reeling After Plaintiffs’ Roundup Lawsuit VictoriesPhiladelphia, PA - After Bayer lost the last four Roundup trials--breaking its nine-trial winning streak, the outcome of the trial underway in Philadelphia is crucial to its investors, and to about 50,000 Roundup lawsuits it currently faces. Bayer likely rues the day in 2018 when it bought Monsanto for $63 billion.
