After many months of seeking assistance from a panel of medical experts, the parties in the NFL concussions litigation are close to reaching a proposed resolution of the pernicious race-norming issues that many players argued built racial discrimination into the administration of the settlement and its payouts. In response to a report provided by Magistrate
As reported by Law360 (subscription), on July 22, 2021, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick of the Northern District of California issued an order denying the bulk of the latest wave of defendant motions to dismiss the 18 bellwether suits in multidistrict injury and fraudulent advertising litigation against e-cigarette manufacturer Juul
Lieff Cabraser has filed a negligence lawsuit in California Superior Court against 17 manufacturers of “ghost gun” components on behalf of the parents of a slain Sacramento police officer who allege that one or more of these manufacturers played a part in her death. Because of a loophole in federal gun regulations, these DIY weapons
As reported by Law360 (subscription), after years of public outcry and multiple legal challenges, the NFL has announced that it will finally end the use of “race-norming,” a race-based concussion test, in the assessment of claims for payouts from a recent $1 billion settlement awarded to a class of former players who suffered painful and
As reported by Law360 (subscription), on April 13, 2021, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick of the Northern District of California issued an order denying the second wave of defendant motions to dismiss the cases outright in multidistrict injury and fraudulent advertising litigation against e-cigarette manufacturer Juul and its part-owner Altria. The complaints allege the companies
As reported by Law360 (subscription), on March 26, 2021, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick of the Northern District of California issued a tentative ruling indicating he will deny all the motions to dismiss, except for certain state claims with no class representatives, in multidistrict injury and fraudulent advertising litigation against
Article includes commentary from Lieff Cabraser Nashville partner Kenny Byrd, who represented the plaintiff The AAJ reports that the Eleventh Circuit has found in favor of the plaintiff in an Engle progeny tobacco injury lawsuit against cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris, holding that a punitive damages award of over $20 million was constitutionally appropriate and not
In August 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S7082/A9036) extending the look back window for victims to file claims under the Child Victims Act in New York state, regardless of when or how long ago the alleged abuse occurred. Since going into effect last year, the Child Victims Act has provided an avenue for
As reported by Law.com (subscription), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an award of $6.25 million in compensatory damages and $20.7 million in punitive damages against tobacco giants R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris in favor of a now-deceased former smoker, Judith Berger. The panel found that the punitive damages award was within constitutional limits and
As reported by Law360 (subscription), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $20.7 million verdict against the tobacco giant Philip Morris in favor of a now-deceased former smoker, Judith Berger. The panel found that the $20.7 million award was within constitutional limits and not excessive, given various facts presented in the case, including that Phillip