#1 Delta Airlines Settles with Flight Attendants for $16MLos Angeles, CA - After almost a decade, Delta Airlines has reached an agreement with its flight attendants. The workers told a California federal judge that a nearly $16 million settlement, which will end their California Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, should be approved because that amount will give California-based Delta flight attendants almost full reimbursement.
#2 Lawyers Predict Unprecedented Amount of PFAS LawsuitsSanta Clara, CA - Chemical companies making PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals” are advised to “do what you can, while you can, before you get sued”, but the battle has already begun for some manufacturers. For instance, 3M agreed to pay water utilities nationwide at least $10 billion for cleanup costs and at least thirty state attorneys general have also sued PFAS makers for widespread contamination. If you aren’t familiar with the extent of PFAS damages, a recent The New York Times article is an eye-opener, to say the least, and the fallout will likely feed into PFAS litigation.
#3 California Judge Refuses $2.25 Walmart Unpaid Overtime DealSan Bernardino, CA - An unpaid overtime lawsuit deal between Walmart and 1,700 workers appeared to be close to settling for $2.25 million after plaintiffs were instructed by a California federal judge to fix deficiencies in the settlement's distribution method. This second denial involves plaintiff Juan Garcia’s request for a $20,000 incentive award.
#4 Home Depot Wages SettlementSan Francisco, CA - A Home Depot wage & hour class action lawsuit is seeking preliminary approval of a $72.5 million settlement, which will resolve allegations of unpaid off-the-clock work. The complaint was brought under California's Private Attorneys General by the home improvement company’s workers going back to early 2016 and a trial was slated for this year. The preliminary California labor settlement was filed last month in a San Francisco federal court and covers more than 272,000 people employed by Home Depot in the state since March 8, 2012.
#5 VA Settles Veteran PTSD Suicide Lawsuit for $1.7 MillionSouth Bend, IN - In May, the Department of Veterans Affairs agreed to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit brought by the family of Jason Moon for $1.7 million. Moon had served two tours as a medical evacuation crew member during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He shot himself to death in 2022 while at home with his wife and children. The medical malpractice lawsuit filed by his widow alleges that Moon had never been properly diagnosed or treated for severe post-traumatic stress syndrome at the South Bend Vet Center.
#6 Family Settles Amusement Park Accident LawsuitAnaheim, CA - The family of a young boy seriously injured in an amusement park accident has settled its lawsuit with Knott's Berry Farm. The horrific theme park accident occurred on one of the park's roller coasters and resulted in injury to a 12-year-old boy. Meanwhile, another theme park accident has resulted in injuries to a young girl.
#8 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.
#9 United Airlines Pilots and Flight Attendants Seek Summary Judgment in Pay Stub FightLos Angeles, CA – On January 12, United Airlines pilots and flight attendants asked the Central District of California to find that the pay statements they received from the airline violate section 226 of the California Labor Code because the statements do not include hourly rates or hours worked and are not easily understandable. Felicia Vidrio v. United Airlines Inc., a class action lawsuit, was dismissed by the same court in 2017. The decision now appears ripe for reconsideration following the Ninth Circuit’s 2021 decision in Ward v. United Airlines.
#10 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.
