#1 Disney’s Gender Wage Complaint Now Class ActionLos Angeles, CA - Mickey and Minnie are not on the same page when it comes to wages. A California labor lawsuit initially filed in 2019 and now turned into a class action, alleges that Disney has been systematically paying women employees in California less than men for substantially similar jobs. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle certified a class under the Golden State's Equal Pay Act. Plaintiffs’ attorneys said in court that the entertainment and media corporation has paid women on average 2% less than men doing equivalent jobs, in violation of California’s Equal Pay Act.
#3 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.
#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 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.
#6 $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.
#7 Problems with Philips CPAP Replacement MachinesPittsburgh, PA - Nearly two years after Philips Respironics recalled millions of CPAP machines, including ventilators for the sick and dying and DreamStation for sleep apnea patients--including children, consumers are still having problems. A recent investigation has found that the new replacement breathing machines might also be emitting dangerous chemicals. Meanwhile, people who have bought, leased or rented certain Philips sleep apnea machines can now file a claim for restitution--but that may be premature.
#8 Company Secrets: Apple v. RivosSan Jose, CA - How much can former employees be ordered to keep secret? That is the issue with Apple and chip startup Rivos. In August 2022 the tech giant slammed Rivos and two employees with a California labor lawsuit alleging breach of contract and violation of the Defend Trade Secrets Act. In a countersuit, Rivos claims that Apple forces employees to sign restrictive agreements that prevent them from working elsewhere and stifle up-and-coming companies that hire its staff.
#9 Equinox $36 million settlement for California Wage and Hour LawsuitsAlameda, CA - Equinox has agreed to pay $36 million to resolve two California labor lawsuits alleging the fitness company required more than 15,000 employees to perform pre-shift work without pay and to skip meal breaks. The settlement, which resolves California state and federal actions, covers those who worked for Equinox in California between April 3, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2022.
#10 State AGs Join Opposition to LTL Bankruptcy in Talcum Powder LawsuitsNewark, NJ - On May 10, the states of New Mexico and Mississippi joined cancer victims and the U.S. Department of Justice in moving to dismiss the latest LTL bankruptcy petition. The bankruptcy is an essential element of Johnson & Johnson’s $8.9 billion offer to settle all outstanding and future talcum powder lawsuits. Of that $8.9 billion, $400 million is reportedly to be set aside to settle state consumer protection lawsuits. That is news.
