Michael Carroll News
California federal judge allows litigation alleging heavy metals in baby food to go forward
A federal judge in California who is overseeing more than 100 cases alleging that major baby food brands contain excessive amounts of heavy metals such as arsenic rejected the defendants’ combined motion to dismiss the litigation earlier this month.
Los Angeles County to pay $4 billion to settle nearly 7,000 child sexual abuse claims
Los Angeles County said last week it has reached a tentative agreement to settle more than 6,800 child sexual abuse cases by providing $4 billion to resolve the claims dating back to 1959.
Family of man who died after riding X2 roller coaster sues Six Flags Magic Mountain for wrongful death
The family of a 22-year-old man who collapsed and died after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is suing the theme park and the designers of the ride, accusing the defendants of “despicable” conduct, malice and wrongful death.
Kern County hairdresser sues cosmetics manufacturers, alleging hair dye exposure led to her bladder cancer
Two plaintiffs who spent decades working in hair salons have filed separate lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Courts against cosmetics companies, alleging that exposure to hair dye products caused them to develop bladder cancer.
Audit accuses L.A. city, county of wasting money, mismanaging homeless programs
An advocacy group has concluded that the city and county of Los Angeles have failed to make adequate progress on getting homeless people off the streets and into permanent housing, despite a 2022 settlement agreement in the wake of a federal lawsuit.
L.A. city attorney files $62 million lawsuit against rental housing providers, alleging price gouging after wildfires
The Los Angeles city attorney has filed a $62 million civil lawsuit against rental housing suppliers who allegedly engaged in price-gouging activities in the wake of January’s deadly wildfires in the L.A. region.
17 attorneys endorse bid to disqualify L.A. judge who was allegedly abusive to attorneys, jurors, witnesses
Seventeen attorneys, from both the trial and defense bars, have called for the disqualification of a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge who they say has a long record of abusive conduct toward attorneys, witnesses, court staffs and jurors.
Palisades plaintiffs: Los Angeles DWP engaged in 'massive coverup' about fire's ignition
Several plaintiffs whose homes were destroyed in the deadly Palisades fire in January are suing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), accusing the utility of contributing to the conflagration via downed power lines and an empty reservoir.
Attorney John Eastman appeals disbarment recommendation during California State Bar review hearing
A judicial panel last week heard an appeal of a recommendation to disbar California attorney John Eastman, whose counsel argued that his activities challenging the legality of the 2020 presidential election were protected by the First Amendment.
Tort-reform supporters urge passage of California bill to limit accessibility lawsuits against small firms
Tort-reform supporters told lawmakers at the California’s State Capitol earlier this month that one of their top legislative priorities would be the passage of Senate Bill 84, which aims to limit construction-related accessibility lawsuits against small businesses.
U.S. Justice Department: Immigration lawyer who fled California now faces multiple fraud charges
An immigration attorney who once ran a law office in California has been extradited from the central Asian nation of the Kyrgyz Republic on fraud charges related to investments made by foreign nationals seeking permanent U.S. residency.
Plaintiff attorney: Device to treat urinary incontinence 'unreasonably dangerous'
An Orange County woman is suing her physician after an operation to resolve urinary incontinence issues by implanting a mesh sling allegedly resulted in intractable pain and other complications.
Starbucks: 'We plan to appeal' $50 million damages award over injuries from hot tea
A Los Angeles man has won a $50 million damages award against Starbucks after suffering third-degree burns to his genital area when a scalding, venti-sized cup of tea spilled on his lap at a restaurant pickup window.
Sony Music lawsuit: USC social media videos used popular artists' work 'willfully and without permission'
Sony Music is suing the University of Southern California in federal court, alleging that USC social media channels engaged in repeated copyright violations through the unauthorized use of popular music tracks.
California Supreme Court: February bar exam-takers 'deserved and expected better'
The California State Bar has launched an investigation of its problem-plagued February bar exam after the state Supreme Court expressed concern about “troubling reports of technical failures, delays and other irregularities” with the computer-based test.
Los Angeles county counsel, sheriff oversight panel at odds over Teran prosecution
The prosecution of a former special advisor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for inappropriately accessing information on possible sheriff deputies’ misconduct is hampering the work of civilian police oversight boards, an amicus brief states.
Local government lawsuits filed against SCE fuel concerns about California Wildfire Fund
Observers are questioning the solvency of California's $21 billion Wildfire Fund in the wake of Los Angeles County and two Los Angeles-area cities suing Southern California Edison over infrastructure damage resulting from January’s devastating Eaton Fire.
California attorney general sued over outsourcing of climate-change litigation to private attorneys
Tensions between the California Attorney General’s Office and the office’s rank-and-file attorneys surfaced last month with the filing of a lawsuit challenging the office’s 2023 decision to hire outside counsel for climate-change litigation.
California's Prop. 65 pushes businesses to abandon products, chemicals which could result in 'shakedown' lawsuits
Proposition 65’s requirement for businesses to warn Californians when they use chemicals that state officials have said could potentially cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive issues has helped to prod manufacturers to drop products or reformulate them to avoid potentially costly lawsuits under the state law, a new study finds
San Diego Unified settles lawsuit filed by student suspended for wearing black eye during game
San Diego Unified School District officials have agreed to expunge the suspension of a middle school student accused of a hate crime for wearing blackface and engaging in racist language at a football game, according to a legal settlement.