#1 Bayer’s Monsanto Roundup UpdatePhiladelphia, PA - The last few months have been busy for both Bayer and plaintiffs alleging Monsanto’s Roundup causes cancer. The Philadelphia court slashed a Pennsylvania man’s verdict from $2.25 billion to $400 million and Roundup cases continue to be filed in the multi-district litigation. As for Bayer, it is looking to lawmakers for support. Legal experts are doubtful that protective legislation will affect existing lawsuits but on the other hand it could limit future claims.
#3 CVS Pharmacy Faces California Labor LawsuitLos Angeles, CA - A class action lawsuit filed under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) in Los Angeles County Superior Court by a former employee claims CVS Pharmacy violated California labor laws, including failure to pay overtime, altering time keeping records and more.
#4 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.
#5 VA Hospital Settles Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for $880,000Columbia, SC - William Whittaker, an Army veteran, died on March 27, 2022 of lung cancer. He was 64. His widow filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in South Carolina’s federal district court. The lawsuit alleged that his death could have been prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment of a condition known to his doctor since 2020. The claim, essentially, is that he died of medical neglect. On April 5, the hospital agreed to settle the lawsuit for $880,000. These are the bare bones of a terrible family story.
#6 O’Reilly Auto Settlement Over California Wage LawsuitSan Diego, CA - O’Reilly Auto Enterprises LLC‘s workers have preliminary approval of a proposed $4.1 million to settle four consolidated cases alleging California labor law violations. The main lawsuit, filed in June 2021, said the retailer should have paid workers at its 28 U.S. distribution centers for time they spent each day in COVID-19 screenings before shifts and for work performed during meal breaks.
#7 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.
#9 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.
