Michael Carroll News
ExxonMobil critics condemn energy company's filing of defamation lawsuit in plastics dispute
ExxonMobil critics have condemned the energy giant’s filing of a defamation lawsuit against California’s attorney general and several environmental groups, calling the litigation a diversion from real issues and an attempt at intimidation.
California appeals court seeks justification for prosecution of L.A. district attorney legal advisor
A California appeals court has asked prosecutors to justify their case against a Los Angeles district attorney advisor who was charged with felonies for allegedly accessing confidential police officer information.
Former physician, medical center agree to pay $15 million in Medicare false claims case
A former Van Nuys doctor, his wife, a medical center and a laboratory have agreed to pay $15 million to settle allegations of filing false Medicare and Medi-Cal claims linked to kickbacks and illegal patient referrals.
California judge: Plaintiffs’ expert opinion in paraquat cases ‘inconsistent,’ ‘haphazard’
A recent California court decision and a new report from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation have cast doubt on whether plaintiffs’ attorneys can prove a causal link between the weed killer paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
Over 100 women sue former Cedars-Sinai gynecologist, alleging misconduct and abuse
More than 100 plaintiffs have filed a new lawsuit against a former Cedars-Sinai Medical Center obstetrician/gynecologist, alleging that he committed sexual misconduct and abuse while treating patients over many decades.
Former Baldwin Park city attorney pleads guilty to taking bribes in return for favorable cannabis permitting
A former Baldwin Park city attorney has pleaded guilty to taking bribes in an apparent web of Southern California payoffs to local government officials who helped marijuana businesses obtain cannabis permits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Los Angeles County sues Castaic landfill owner over alleged health issues from air pollution
One of Los Angeles County’s largest landfills will no longer accept shipments of solid waste in the new year in the wake of increased county scrutiny of air pollution from the site in Castaic and a lawsuit over the facility’s impacts on neighbors’ health.
Private health care university sued over rejection of DACA immigrant applicant
A California resident with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status has filed a class-action lawsuit against a private health care university, arguing that he was illegally denied access to a university program due to his immigration standing. The university determined the legally temporary protections afforded by DACA is not an immigration status protected by California law.
Environmental groups challenge new California policy on boosting biofuels
Environmental justice groups are suing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for allegedly failing to consider local impacts from an incentive program for businesses that produce “biogas” fuels from manure at centralized farming operations.
Federal prosecutors accuse Pasadena doctor, Orange County judge of insurance fraud
A Pasadena doctor who allegedly took part in a multimillion-dollar workers' compensation insurance scheme with a co-conspirator who is now an Orange County judge has signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. They have not yet revealed the identity of the judge included in the investigation.
Gilead Sciences: Potential court redefinition of product liability could 'weaponize innovation'
The future of litigation over the HIV drug Truvada remains in the hands of the California Supreme Court, whose future actions include a review of lower court decisions on how product liability lawsuits challenging the medication may proceed.
Superior Court judge sues state officials, alleging justices are being shortchanged on pay hikes
A Sacramento County Superior Court judge has filed a lawsuit alleging that California judges, who make at least $238,500 annually, have been denied legally mandated yearly pay raises due to state officials’ miscalculations.
Defense attorneys: Studies linking benzoyl peroxide acne creams to cancer 'warrant skepticism'
Defense attorneys continue to raise questions about the science behind the filing of multiple federal lawsuits in California accusing pharmaceutical and health care companies of marketing or selling acne medications that can degrade into the carcinogen benzene.
California State Bar seizes non-attorney's office, says Filipino immigrants were scammed
The office of a Los Angeles woman accused of engaging in the practice of law without a license and charging Filipino immigrants five-figure amounts for bogus legal services has been seized by the State Bar of California.
Two legal aid groups urge state Supreme Court to expand electronic recording in courtrooms
Two legal aid groups have petitioned the California Supreme Court to require that litigants in several types of civil lawsuits have access to verbatim electronic recordings of court proceedings whenever court reporters are unavailable.
Legal affairs expert: California civil courts among the worst for allowing 'sham research'
When it comes to scrutinizing questionable scientific claims, California courts tend to be among the most permissive in the nation, providing fertile ground for aggressive trial attorneys, according to a legal affairs expert at the Center for Individual Freedom.
State Bar memo: Lawyers candidates who engage in campus protests may face 'moral character' probes
California State Bar applicants’ protest-related activities, such as the kind related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this past year, can warrant a moral character inquiry by the State Bar, a recent policy document says.
Southern California utility, U.S. Attorney's Office agree to settle lawsuit stemming from 2020 Bobcat Fire
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Southern California Edison (SCE) have agreed to resolve a federal lawsuit over property damage and firefighting costs related to the 2020 Bobcat Fire, according to court documents filed this month.
California's civil justice system ranks fifth worst in latest list of Judicial Hellholes in U.S.
California’s reputation as a proving ground for new theories of liability, its massive jury verdicts exceeding $10 million and its pushing the envelope of environmental litigation have all helped to put the state in the No. 5 spot on the new Judicial Hellholes report released this week.
Los Angeles oil field owner challenges new law aimed at shutting down low-production wells
The operator of the Inglewood Oil Field in Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit challenging a new state law that would phase out low-production wells at the site by the end of 2030 and potentially subject the company to “unlimited penalties.”