Michael Carroll News
California class action alleges fluoride content of mouth rinses could harm children
Concerns about fluoride’s effects on young children have led to recent class-action filings in federal courts in California and Illinois alleging that some toothpastes and fluoride rinses are being marketed in a way that poses dangers to young children.
Car dealers group sues Scout Motors over plan to sell vehicles directly to Californians
The California New Car Dealers Association has vowed to take legal action against Volkswagen Group of America and Scout Motors over Scout’s plans to sell vehicles directly to California consumers rather than through dealerships.
Plaintiff attorney: Restraining order in Eaton Fire lawsuit will prevent SCE 'gamesmanship'
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has approved a temporary restraining order against Southern California Edison in an effort to preserve potential evidence indicating how the deadly Eaton Fire started.
State attorneys’ union chief: Don’t waste millions on outside counsel in Trump-related lawsuits
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to earmark tens of millions of dollars for legal battles against the Trump administration has not only drawn sharp criticism from Republicans but also from the union representing attorneys in the California Department of Justice.
Eaton Fire lawsuits: Southern California Edison 'negligence' contributed to devastation
At least 14 lawsuits filed in recent weeks by those affected by the deadly Eaton Fire argue that Southern California Edison’s equipment helped to spark some of the initial flames and that the utility bears some responsibility for the devastation that followed.
Huntington Beach officials sue Newsom, Bonta, challenge California's 'Sanctuary State Law'
Huntington Beach has filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Rob Bonta that challenges the legality of a 2017 California law limiting interactions between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.
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.