Federal Court
Science behind California stem cell clinic therapies comes under legal scrutiny
A recent appeals court decision opens the door for the federal Food and Drug Administration to regulate a procedure offered at several California stem cell clinics that critics say is unproven and potentially harmful.
Lawsuits
Stanford, Cal Tech, USC among top U.S. universities hit with class action over financial aid practices
Uber expands opportunities for deaf workers in California
Federal Court
Federal judge blocks new California law restricting political 'deepfake' videos
A federal judge has barred California officials from enforcing key provisions of a new law designed to regulate “deepfake” images and videos generated through artificial intelligence that could cause confusion or spread misinformation during election campaigns.
From Northern California Record
Polls in Bay Area, elsewhere in CA show big support for Prop 36, despite Dem leaders' opposition
Prop 36 would restore to police and prosecutors powers to address property and drug crimes that had been stripped by away 10 years ago by Prop 47, which helped to fuel California's current crime problems and was strongly supported by Kamala Harris
From Northern California Record
Despite promising solutions, California officials are poised to use Prop 1 to simply throw $6 billion more at a homelessness problem already massive state spending has yet to solve
From WV Record
From WV Record
From Madison Record
From Northern California Record
California State Bar accuses immigrant-services business owner of offering legal services without license
For the second time, an immigration-services firm in El Monte has been seized by the State Bar of California for allegedly offering legal services without proper authorization.
DOJ official: Southern California law firm misused coronavirus relief funds
A Southern California law firm founded by the daughter of women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred has agreed to pay a settlement of more than $200,000 after providing false information to obtain coronavirus hardship funds from the federal government.
State Court
Plaintiff accuses Financial Institution Trustee Company over Quiet Title Dispute
In a recent appellate court decision dated October 3rd, Cherie Brown lost her appeal against Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., which she accused of wrongful foreclosure practices involving complex mortgage transactions dating back to her property's purchase in 2007 from Youval Zive with ties to Washington Mutual loans.
State Court
Freight Company Accused of Breach Over Unpaid Invoices
In a high-stakes legal battle involving two freight giants, Manifest Destiny Transport Corporation successfully sued South Bay Freight System for over half a million dollars in unpaid invoices following a contentious cargo theft incident. The court found South Bay acted improperly by withholding payments far exceeding their losses and attempting to poach staff from Manifest Destiny amidst ongoing litigation.
State Court
Calvary Chapel accuses Superior Court over Contempt Orders amid COVID-19 Restrictions
In a legal tussle over COVID-19 restrictions versus religious freedom rights, Calvary Chapel San Jose challenges contempt rulings by the Superior Court of Santa Clara County dating back to pandemic-era mandates. Despite earlier victories annulling fines for non-compliance with health directives at church services deemed unconstitutional under First Amendment grounds—further pursuit for attorney fees was recently denied due largely because self-interest motivated their defense efforts without needing additional financial incentives typically awarded through public interest litigation statutes like section1021 .5 which they invoked unsuccessfully here according recent appellate review outcomes this September!
State Court
Plaintiff alleges Roller-Skating Rink Owner Negligence After Injury
A legal dispute unfolded as Geraldine Myers sued Skateland Enterprises following an injury at their Northridge roller-skating rink. Despite claims of negligence due to inadequate safety measures, the court upheld that inherent risks are part of such activities, dismissing her lawsuit based on existing legal doctrines surrounding recreational sports.
State Court
Former Police Officers Allege Retaliation Against City Over Whistleblower Claims
Two former police officers have taken legal action against the City of Long Beach alleging wrongful termination due to whistleblower retaliation under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Labor Code section 1102.5 protections following multiple lawsuits against their former employer spanning several years
State Court
Patient Alleges Medical Negligence Against Cosmetic Surgery Provider Following Complications
A lawsuit filed by Ivon Valdez alleges professional negligence against Celebrating Women Center following complications from a Brazilian Butt Lift surgery performed by Dr. Adrienne Lara in February 2023. The suit seeks damages exceeding $35k due to alleged improper care leading to nerve injuries and prolonged suffering for Valdez.
State Court
Plaintiff alleges negligence after injury at restaurant
A plaintiff's negligence claim against a restaurant has been dismissed due to procedural errors during the appeal process. Dionza Blue had sued The Veggie Grill following an injury but failed to provide necessary documentation and reasoned arguments required for appellate review.
State Court
Patient Alleges Surgeon’s Negligence Following Hand Surgery
A California appellate court has upheld a ruling favoring a surgeon accused of medical negligence by a patient following hand surgery complications The plaintiff failed to provide necessary expert testimony resulting in summary judgment for the defense
State Court
Plaintiffs accuse real estate attorney Jack W. Chao of interfering with property sale
Navigators Real Estate Inc., doing business as Pinnacle Real Estate Group, along with Jing Shao have accused real estate attorney Jack W. Chao of intentionally interfering with their contractual relations involving a property sale in Monrovia, California.
Stanford, Cal Tech, USC among top U.S. universities hit with class action over financial aid practices
A new class action lawsuit says some of America's top colleges and universities have for nearly two decades violated U.S. antitrust law by collectively making it harder for students to obtain need-based financial aid by forcing them to include non-custodial parent income on applications
GSK, plaintiffs in 2 Zantac cases in California reach confidential settlements
The pharmaceutical company that manufactured the popular heartburn medication Zantac has settled with two California plaintiffs who brought lawsuits alleging the active ingredient in Zantac, ranitidine, caused their cancers.
California, enviro activists hit ExxonMobil with lawsuits over plastics recycling
The state's new lawsuit accuses ExxonMobil of misleading Americans into believing recycling is a "cure-all" for plastic waste. ExxonMobil says the lawsuit is just an attempt by the state to absolve itself of blame for flooding landfills and the environment with plastic
Disputed science drives lawsuits over Abbott's specialized formula for preterm infants
Researchers and health care companies say plaintiffs’ attorneys are engaged in a feeding frenzy of litigation and scientific questioning about the safety of certain types of formula for infants and toddlers.
23AndMe says $30M data breach settlement in jeopardy from 'mass arbitration' claims
23AndMe has agreed to pay $30 million to settle millions of claims over a 2023 data breach. Attorneys stand to make $7.5 million from the deal. However, the company said other lawyers are threatening the deal with parallel arbitration and state court claims
CA lawmakers exempt Capitol Annex project from state enviro review law, can't be sued
A state appeals court said California lawmakers didn't violate the state constitution by specifically and immediately exempting the $1.2B Capitol Annex project from the state's controversial California Environmental Quality Act, in an apparent move to thwart legal challenges seeking to halt the project
Attorney General Bonta: 'We travel,' use jet fuel in wake of new ExxonMobil lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta flew to New York for an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” last month to discuss his latest lawsuit challenging ExxonMobil’s recycling efforts but found himself on the defensive over his own contributions to climate change.
New study points to danger of fabricated, AI-generated scientific papers on legislation, politics
Academic studies about health issues, the environment and computing are increasingly susceptible to artificial intelligence-driven fabrications, putting the quality of scientific research, such as that which underlies legal arguments, at risk, new research suggests.
Google privacy settlement a $62M windfall for trial lawyers, left-wing groups: Court filings
Twenty GOP state attorneys general have filed a brief in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of a group of objectors, seeking to undo approval of a settlement that would steer most of $62 million from Google to trial lawyers and the ACLU and other groups to advance left-wing social and political causes
Lawsuit challenges CA laws targeting online election parody videos the state considers 'deceptive misinfo'
The lawsuit was filed by online content creator "Mr. Reagan," who famously published a video mocking Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris using AI tech to make it seem she described herself as "the ultimate diversity hire" and which drew pointed direct attacks from Gov. Newsom
Orange County Superior Court judge pleads not guilty to murdering his wife
An Orange County Superior Court judge has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 65-year-old wife with a firearm last year in their Anaheim Hills home.
Polls in Bay Area, elsewhere in CA show big support for Prop 36, despite Dem leaders' opposition
Prop 36 would restore to police and prosecutors powers to address property and drug crimes that had been stripped by away 10 years ago by Prop 47, which helped to fuel California's current crime problems and was strongly supported by Kamala Harris
California ban on switchblades affirmed; Judge rejects Second Amendment arguments, will be appealed
Switchblade knives are not "arms" protected by the Second Amendment, a California federal judge has ruled in rejecting a legal challenge to California's switchblade knife ban law
California extends 'take-home' asbestos liability to case of brother who lived elsewhere
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California Supreme Court decision limiting “take-home” asbestos liability to people who live in the same house doesn’t preclude a man from suing over claims he was exposed to asbestos when visiting at his brother’s house.
Court overturns $3 million punitive damages award in case of Old Spice talcum powder
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court reversed a $3 million punitive-damages award against a former supplier of cosmetic talc, ruling there wasn’t evidence the company’s executives knew their product contained dangerous amounts of asbestos when the plaintiff claimed his exposure.
Freight Company Accused of Breach Over Unpaid Invoices
In a high-stakes legal battle involving two freight giants, Manifest Destiny Transport Corporation successfully sued South Bay Freight System for over half a million dollars in unpaid invoices following a contentious cargo theft incident. The court found South Bay acted improperly by withholding payments far exceeding their losses and attempting to poach staff from Manifest Destiny amidst ongoing litigation.
Federal judge blocks new California law restricting political 'deepfake' videos
A federal judge has barred California officials from enforcing key provisions of a new law designed to regulate “deepfake” images and videos generated through artificial intelligence that could cause confusion or spread misinformation during election campaigns.
Biz groups, Dems announce deal to reform law that spawned thousands of 'shakedown' suits vs employers
Under the deal to reform the Private Attorney General Act, a coalition of business groups would agree to withdraw a ballot measure that would have largely gutted PAGA. Reports showed PAGA generated lawsuits worth $10B in payouts from employers in the past 10 years, with big money for lawyers, little real benefit for workers
UNITE HERE Local 11 continues to target California hospitality employers with recall law, latest fine hits Hyatt Regency Long Beach for $4.8 million
A few months ago, airline catering company Flying Food Group (FFG) was one of many California-based hospitality groups to be targeted by state lawmakers trying to enforce a union-backed bill that affects the rehiring process in the hospitality industry. UNITE HERE Local 11 Union was instrumental in getting the recall law passed and is now using it as a weapon to attack other employers they are bargaining with. The latest hotel to be targeted is the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach.