Michael Carroll News
Parks group sues over proposed gondola transit project to link Union Station, Dodger Stadium
A group advocating for the protection of Los Angeles-area parks is suing the county’s MTA over the agency’s approval of an environmental impact report for a downtown, high-wire gondola project.
Federal judge upholds AB5 law; Truckers say law leaves them unable to protect livelihood
In a decision applauded by labor unions but criticized by the state’s trucking industry, a federal district judge has upheld provisions of a California law that limits the ability of employers to classify workers as independent contractors.
Governor restricts legal challenges to L.A. development in push for more housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom is streamlining a major mixed-use development near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to speed the building of housing and urban infrastructure, using new state laws aimed at reducing environmental litigation.
Southern California school district updates parental-notification policy after being sued by state
A San Bernardino County school district has revised its parental notification policy in the wake of California’s attorney general suing the district over alleged violations of the state constitution and state law, resulting in alleged discrimination against transgender students.
State Farm to pull 72,000 home insurance policies, complicating California's housing crunch
State Farm will not renew 72,000 home insurance policies in California this year, raising renewed concerns about the effects of the state’s regulatory and litigation environment, as well as the impact of catastrophic events including wildfires.
California State Bar disputes lawsuit's allegations of 'rampant corruption' in case of disbarred L.A. attorney
The State Bar of California has rejected claims outlined in a lawsuit that it engaged in “rampant corruption” and incestuous relations with disbarred Los Angeles attorney Thomas Girardi, who is scheduled to face criminal proceedings later this year.
California joins lawsuit challenging proposed merger of Kroger, Albertsons
The Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of states that includes California have filed a legal challenge to the proposed merger of Kroger Co. and Albertsons, arguing that the $24.6B deal would lead to price hikes. Kroger said those claims are false and the merger will actually result in lower prices and greater choice
Over 75% of claims made in $45.5M Altria e-cigarettes settlement found to be potential fraud; Judge OKs deal
A federal judge has given a final OK to a $45.5 million settlement with Altria over allegations the tobacco firm misled consumers about the addictiveness of Juul e-cigarettes, despite evidence that more than 75% of the filed claims are invalid or fraudulent.
City of San Diego settles class action over enforcement of parking ordinances against the homeless
A long-running class-action lawsuit filed against the city of San Diego over enforcement of parking ordinances against homeless people living in their vehicles has been tentatively settled, with the biggest chunk of funds going to attorney fees.
State Bar accuses L.A. lawyer of colluding with opposing counsel in class action against city utility
An attorney who represented plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit allegedly colluded with opposing counsel working on behalf of city of Los Angeles officials during the fallout from a Los Angeles Department of Water & Power billing system failure.
CA appeals court ruling could allow biz to be sued for not selling 'better' products, company warns
Pharmaceutical companies and business advocates say the decision could have a devastating impact on innovation, unless the California Supreme Court steps in
Disney accused of underpaying Southern California hotel workers in class-action lawsuit
Southern California hotel maintenance workers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Florida-based Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, alleging Disney violated the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and evaded the minimum pay rate.
California utility agrees to pay federal government $80 million to resolve wildfire litigation
Southern California Edison will pay $80 million to the federal government to compensate for firefighting costs and property damage resulting from a 2017 fire that charred more than 100,000 acres of National Forest lands in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
America National Insurance is the latest to leave California market over profitability concerns
American National Insurance is the latest insurer to announce it is either exiting California or limiting its property insurance business due to decreased profitability in the wake of devastating wildfires and state regulations that critics say are excessive.
Federal judge compares litigation about social-media addiction to landmark tobacco lawsuits
A California federal judge who is overseeing multidistrict litigation alleging that social media companies’ platforms lead to addictive behavior among youths has likened these cases to the multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement of 1998.
Lawsuit challenging Santa Monica elections sent back to L.A. Superior Court
A California appeals court has tossed a Santa Monica voting rights case back to a lower court that previously ruled Latino residents’ ability to elect their preferred candidates was hampered by the city’s at-large City Council elections, in one of the most high profile lawsuits under California's Voting Rights Act
L.A. County's civil litigation costs shoot up 129% due to several large settlements
Total litigation costs paid out by Los Angeles County during the 2022-2023 fiscal year shot up 129% to more than $340 million, largely driven by several unusually large legal settlements, according to recently released county reports.
Judge blocks California law allowing residents to sue gun manufacturers
A federal judge in San Diego has barred the state’s attorney general from enforcing a new California law that allows the filing of civil lawsuits against firearms manufacturers that make and market “abnormally dangerous” weapons.
Judge orders attorney Mark Geragos to pay attorney fees to L.A. Times after failed libel lawsuit
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ordered celebrity attorney Mark Geragos to pay $218,000 in legal fees to the Los Angeles Times as a result of a failed libel lawsuit that accused three of the newspaper’s reporters of attempting to defame him.
Los Angeles-area attorneys turn to billboards to expand their reach
Personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles seeking to boost their client leads have increasingly turned to freeway billboards to get their message out to captive audiences sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, recent data shows.