#1 Apple Employee files Privacy LawsuitSanta Clara, CA - An Apple employee has filed a California labor PAGA lawsuit accusing the tech giant of harmful workplace policies by spying on its workers and violating workers’ privacy rights via their personal iCloud accounts and non-work devices. This lawsuit isn’t the first complaint about Apple’s ability to access workers’ private information but it details how company policies can make you subject to surveillance.
#2 FDA Greenlights Clinical Trials to Study Cannabis for PTSD TreatmentWashington, DC - In a surprise move, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to conduct clinical trials to study the effectiveness of smoking cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. It is no secret that veterans with PTSD commonly use marijuana to manage their symptoms when other medications are ineffective. Until now, however, there has been no scientific evidence as to its safety and effectiveness.
#3 Hair Relaxer Litigation and Proposed Legislation Increases AwarenessQueens, NY - A recent awareness event held in Queens brought together dozens of women to discuss the possible link between hair relaxers and serious health issues, including reproductive cancer. A panel of women also addressed more product label transparency, particularly warning labels regarding harmful chemicals that are found in hair straighteners.
#4 Disney to Pay $233 million to Settle Wage Theft LawsuitAnaheim, CA - Disney has agreed to pay $233 million to settle a California labor class action lawsuit that will affect over 50,000 current and former employees, including Cast Members directly employed by Disney and employees working for contractors such as Sodexo. The settlement ends a wage theft lawsuit originally filed five years ago alleging the company failed to comply with Anaheim's $15 minimum wage ordinance. After duking it out with union cast members last summer, Disney agreed to raise their base pay to $24 per hour.
#5 Walgreens Settles Call Center Workers' Unpaid OT SuitChicago, IL - A lawsuit filed in late 2021 by former Walgreeens call center workers has been settled. The plaintiffs claimed they, and other customer service representatives, were required to work without compensation before and after their shifts, such as starting up and logging into computer systems. Working off-the-clock is in violation of state and federal wage laws.
#6 Apple Faces Unequal Pay LawsuitLos Angeles, CA - A former Apple executive has filed a California labor complaint against Apple and Jay Blahnik, the company's vice president of fitness technologies. Mandana Mofidi accuses Apple of retaliation after she reported sexual harassment and raised concerns about receiving less pay than her male colleagues.
#7 Exactech Bankruptcy StaySanta Clara, CA - Although a court order has announced a stay on proceedings in the wake of Exactech’s bankruptcy announcement, the court said it will continue to accept new Exactech hip lawsuits into the MDL. U.S. District Judge Nicolas G. Garaufis, in the Eastern District of New York, has placed a stay on all litigation involving Exactech’s defective knee, hip and ankle replacement components.
#8 Agreement to settle nearly 38,000 Bard hernia mesh lawsuitsColumbus, OH - Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), the parent company of BARD, has agreed to settle about 38,000 hernia mesh lawsuits. Reports indicate that the total payouts could exceed $1 Billion. The mesh lawsuits, some of which go back almost 20 years, allege that Bard designed defective mesh products, failed to adequately test them, and didn’t properly warn users about potential risks.
#9 Exactech Files BankruptcySanta Clara, CA - Exactech has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The medical device manufacturer will sell its assets to investors due to "unsustainable liabilities associated with knee and hip litigation related to the packaging recalls we voluntarily initiated between 2021 and 2022.” However, lawyers advise plaintiffs who have filed defective Exactech knee and hip implants not to panic because insurance and assets are available to victims in bankruptcy.
