Follow us:
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Legal News

Class Action and Legal News

Latest in Legal News

September, 2020

New York files fraud complaint against Johnson & Johnson’s opioid marketing

The state claims the drugmaker minimized addiction risks

Blue Bell Creameries pays record fine over listeria contamination in products

The company will pay over $17 million for its role in a listeriosis outbreak that occurred in 2015

FTC antitrust suit against Facebook could come before end of year

The agency is looking into whether Facebook is stifling competition in the social media ecosystem

Pentagon claims that Microsoft is still worthy of $10 billion JEDI cloud contract

The legal tussle might have moved a bit, but it’s not completely over

Auto dealer group agrees to close down as part of FTC settlement

The company was charged with misrepresenting consumer information on vehicle loan applications

August, 2020

Suit claims Instacart pocketed money that consumers intended to be tips

The District of Columbia is seeking millions of dollars in refunds

Apple to pay over $9 million to settle suit over ‘defective’ Powerbeats 2 earbuds

Consumers who want to file a claim must have bought the earbuds before August 7

Federal judge stops Education Department from channeling pandemic aid from public schools to private schools

A court found that Secretary DeVos’ interpretation of the CARES Act went too far

Feds indict another generic drug company on price-fixing charges

Teva Pharmaceuticals’ U.S. unit is the seventh company accused of inflating prices

TikTok files lawsuit against U.S. government over potential ban

The company says it would prefer to discuss the issue instead of going to court

TD Bank to pay $122 million to settle charges related to overdraft fees

Regulators say consumers were charged the fees without their consent

Former Uber security officer accused of hiding data breach from FTC

Officials claim that hackers were paid off through a bug bounty program

Michigan is reportedly preparing a settlement in the Flint water crisis case

The state may pay young residents $600 million for lead contamination

States seeking more than $26 billion to settle opioid addiction charges

Drug companies have been accused of fueling the opioid epidemic with their marketing

Justice Department accuses Yale of discriminating against Asian American and White applicants

An investigation found that the school uses race as ‘the determinative factor’ in hundreds of admissions decisions

New York state files lawsuit against major egg producer for price gouging during COVID-19

The company allegedly marked up prices to over four times the normal cost

Twitter hack ringleader owns more than $3 million in cryptocurrency

His attorney argues that the assets are legal and can be used to help him post bail

July, 2020

FTC accuses MyLife of deceptive sales tactics

The background report subscription service was accused of implying that individuals had criminal or sexual offense records even if they didn’t

Steve Wozniak sues YouTube over Bitcoin scams posted on the platform

The tech pioneer says the company hasn’t put a stop to scams that use his name to defraud consumers

Slack files antitrust complaint against Microsoft

The messaging platform says it wants a level playing field

Vegan suit against Burger King’s Impossible Whopper dismissed

A judge said Burger King never promised a vegetarian product

Tech companies join suit to block ICE guidance affecting international students

More than a dozen tech companies say the policy threatens to harm their business

Four timeshare exit companies face Missouri lawsuit

Missouri’s attorney general claims the companies failed to deliver promised results

Supreme Court reaffirms ban on robocalls to mobile phones

However, one expert says consumers may have already given their permission to take robocalls

June, 2020

Bayer agrees to pay more than $10 billion to settle Roundup cancer lawsuits

The settlement sets aside money to settle with users who may develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the future

Missouri Court reduces Johnson & Johnson baby powder verdict

The court upheld the verdict that the company knew its talc-based baby powder contained asbestos

Supreme Court restricts SEC’s ability to recover dishonest profits

The agency warns consumers that the pandemic has brought about its own crop of investment scams

Justice Department proposes weakening online companies’ legal immunity protections

Companies could face lawsuits over the content posted on their sites by users

Former eBay employees charged with intimidating company critics

The criminal complaint details harassment directed at newsletter publishers

Lawmakers request documents from major banks to check for PPP loan fraud

House Democrats want to make sure the funds are being given to businesses in need

States file a third price-fixing lawsuit against generic drugmakers

The complaint says the states have new evidence against the companies

FCC proposes hefty fine for two robocallers

A pair of telemarketers reportedly made around one billion spoofed robocalls last year

Lawsuit claims Amazon caused COVID-19 deaths by failing to implement adequate safety measures

Plaintiffs accuse the company of creating ‘a façade of compliance’ with safety standards

The Children’s Place hit with class action lawsuit over alleged fake sale scams

Other consumers report additional problems with the specialty chain ranging from unfulfilled orders to refunds

Lawsuit accuses Google of violating privacy of users in ‘private’ browsing mode

The suit claims Google collected information through plug-ins like Google Analytics and Ad Manager

Lyft sued for violating sick day law in Washington, D.C.

A suit claims the company is putting drivers and riders at risk of catching COVID-19

May, 2020

Arizona sues Google over alleged deceptive and unfair location tracking

Consumers need to understand that turning one data collection switch off doesn’t guarantee that all are off

Lawsuit claims Trump administration used flawed analysis to justify weakening Obama-era fuel standards

Officials say the rule change represents a ‘public health hazard’ that could result in thousands of early deaths

Uber and Lyft drivers file class action in New York over unemployment benefits

Workers say the state is dragging its feet and refusing to pay for-hire drivers

CVS Health unit settles charges of mishandling opioid drugs

Omnicare was accused of providing powerful painkillers without a prescription

Facebook to pay $52 million to settle claims of mental health trauma among moderators

Former employees complained that they developed mental health conditions as a result of their work

Uber and Lyft slapped with lawsuits claiming both companies misclassify its gig workers

The pandemic has taken its toll on both companies, with close to 5,000 employees laid off

April, 2020

Justice Department says it could intervene if stay-at-home orders go too far

Religious discrimination and undue interference with the national economy are vital concerns

Judge gives final approval to Facebook’s record privacy settlement

Facebook will pay $5 billion and make structural changes to enhance privacy

Boeing hit with a $336 million lawsuit over failure to complete 737 MAX order

Hard times continue for the aircraft manufacturer, and there doesn’t seem to be any way out

Chipotle Mexican Grill to pay record $25 million food safety fine

The settlement involves norovirus outbreaks between 2015 and 2018

Delta Air Lines faces class-action suit over refusal to honor monetary refunds

The plaintiff claims Delta’s decision to put profits over people in light of the pandemic is unacceptable

FTC sends refunds to consumers over subscription-based scheme

Consumers who signed up for ‘free’ products were enrolled in a monthly subscription they had to pay for

March, 2020

FTC bans student debt relief operators over deceiving consumers

The company says the defendants promised to reduce or eliminate debt but didn’t deliver

Several states end opposition to T-Mobile/Sprint merger

Officials from 12 states will not appeal a court ruling that approved of the deal

Facebook sued by Australia over 2016 Cambridge Analytica breach

The long-simmering privacy issue hasn’t gone away

CFPB sues Fifth Third Bank for allegedly opening customer checking accounts without permission

The charges are very similar to those brought against Wells Fargo in 2016

FTC settles with credit repair company over deceptive practices

Consumers cannot boost their own credit score by ‘piggybacking’ on someone else’s credit

Amazon’s bid to block federal JEDI contract upheld in court

A judge ruled that a pricing error likely affected which company was awarded the contract

Ex-Google and Uber engineer ordered to pay Google $179 million for poaching employees

Oddly enough, he might not have to pay that money at all

FTC settles with pain relief marketer over false advertising

The company falsely claimed that its device was clinically proven and cleared by the FDA

Johnson & Johnson pays $1.7 million over pelvic mesh class action

A court determined that the company hid the risks associated with pelvic mesh implants

Toyota Prius and Camry braking systems at the center of new lawsuit

Critics say the automaker is putting drivers in ‘life-threatening’ situations

FTC to send $2.2 million in refunds to victims of government impostor scheme

A company said it was affiliated with the government to illegally sell immigration services

FCC proposes over $200 million in fines for wireless carriers that sold customer data

The agency says the four largest carriers sold customer data and failed to protect information from hackers

February, 2020

Supreme Court refuses to block retirement fund lawsuit against Intel

The company argued that the plaintiffs waited too long to file the complaint

Major opioid manufacturer reaches $1.6 billion settlement over role in opioid crisis

Thousands of lawsuits from towns, companies, and others must still be dealt with in court

FTC settles with operator of debt collection scheme

The company was accused of using scare tactics to defraud consumers

FTC to send refunds to Office Depot customers who were tricked into buying repair products

The agency says the company and a software provider used false computer virus reports

New York drops its merger lawsuit against T-Mobile and Sprint

The win-win for all states agreeing to the deal appears to be new jobs

Huawei indicted on racketeering charges

The Chinese telecom is accused of conspiring to steal trade secrets from U.S. firms

Pentagon JEDI contract blocked by judge following Amazon legal challenge

The online retailer is preparing itself for litigation

SEC goes after Tesla again, this time on finances

Tesla founder Elon Musk is trying to stay out of more hot water and is promising to do as asked

White House drops investigation of California’s emissions agreement with automakers

Getting to the goal of 55 mpg by 2025 is going to take some work

Jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $750 million in damages in talc cancer case

A New Jersey court found two powder products contributed to plaintiffs’ cancer

FTC cracks down on comparison shopping site over fake reviews and deceptive rankings

The company will pay $350,000 under a settlement agreement

FTC settles with marketer of ‘cure-all’ anti-aging drug

The agency says the sellers made baseless and deceptive health claims

FTC sues to block razor industry giant from buying start-up competitor Harry’s

Regulators say the deal is anti-competitive and would hurt consumers

January, 2020

Facebook pays $550 million to settle its facial recognition lawsuit

Experts say facial recognition is here to stay, but it needs more work to maintain consumers’ privacy

Chiplote agrees to nearly $2 million settlement with Massachusetts over child labor violations

The state attorney general’s office charged the company with over 13,000 violations

FTC and state of New York sue Martin Shkreli for alleged drug price-fixing

The jailed former drug executive faces new charges

FDA warns Purell makers to correct unproven claims in its marketing

The agency says the products have not been shown to kill germs linked to MRSA and VRE

The FTC paid $232 million to defrauded consumers in 2019

The agency received 3.2 million fraud complaints last year

Sen. Biden calls for repeal of law that gives social media platforms protection from libel

Currently, websites can’t be sued for what someone else writes on their platforms

Center for Food Safety sues USDA over new pork inspection rules

The organization says the new system endangers consumers

Cruise line faces fine from FTC over illegal robocall operation

The company made millions of telemarketing spam calls to consumers

IKEA pays $46 million to family of child who died from dresser tip-over accident

The company has issued recalls on thousands of potentially dangerous products

FTC fines mortgage broker for revealing personal and financial information after bad Yelp reviews

The company will pay a heavy fine and must implement a new data security program

HSBC Bank pays $2.4 million to settle class action over spam calls

Plaintiffs say the company violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Court rules that Diet Dr. Pepper doesn’t deceive consumers because of its use of the word ‘diet’

Just because a brand uses a diet label, that doesn’t mean consumers should assume they’ll lose weight when they drink it

Which consumer issues are on the legal docket for 2020?

Consumer attorneys say issues ranging from privacy to climate change are waiting in the wings

Judge temporarily exempts truck drivers from new California labor law

A trucking association says drivers are covered under a previous federal statute

December, 2019

Uber and Postmates sue California to block new labor law

The legislation would reclassify gig workers in the state

FTC wins case against mortgage relief scammers

Victims were lured in with promises that their mortgages could be made more affordable

Amazon and Ring face class action suit over data breach

Plaintiffs say their information was compromised due to negligence

Mercedes Benz USA to pay $20 million in penalties over how it handled vehicle recalls

Regulators say the automaker didn’t notify affected consumers about safety issues in a timely fashion

Tech companies sued over cobalt mine working conditions in the Congo

The plaintiffs say children were forced into dangerous jobs

Regulators rule that McDonald’s isn’t responsible for labor practices of franchisees

A settlement reached this week puts an end to a multi-year dispute on the matter

University of Phoenix to pay $191 million to settle charges that it deceived students

Thousands of students will have their student loans forgiven

California announces $3.6 million fine against CVS

An investigation found that the pharmacy giant failed to redeem recyclable containers in the state

PG&E to pay $13.5 billion for role in California wildfires

The agreement will settle claims stemming from multiple destructive fires in the state

Twenty women sue Lyft, citing sexual assault response shortcomings

A suit claims the company has failed to protect passengers from incidents

TikTok accused of transferring private user data to servers in China

A lawsuit claims the video sharing app harvested and sent vast amounts of user data

EU regulators to investigate how Google and Facebook handle user data

A ‘preliminary investigation’ has been launched into the companies’ data collection practices

November, 2019

McDonald’s settles lawsuit accusing it of violating overtime laws

A suit filed in 2009 alleged that the company cheated 38,000 workers in California out of overtime pay and breaks

Monsanto pleads guilty to using banned pesticide in Hawaii

The company admitted that it used Penncap-M despite knowing its use was prohibited

Charity agrees to pay $4 million to resolve allegations of kickbacks

A government investigation says the organization violated the False Claims Act

DoorDash faces lawsuit claiming it pocketed workers’ tips

Washington, D.C.’s attorney general filed the complaint after an eight-month probe

Burger King faces lawsuit over the way it cooks the Impossible Whopper

A vegan plaintiff claims the patty is ‘contaminated’ by meat

FDA sends a warning letter to Dollar Tree about its OTC drugs

The agency alleges that the discount chain receives drugs that violate federal law

New Jersey labor department says Uber must pay nearly $650 million in taxes

The state’s labor department believes drivers have been wrongly classified as independent contractors

FCC sued by local and state governments over fees and related services

It’s an all-in squabble that may impact the services that telecommunications companies currently offer consumers

Lawsuit accuses Uber of driver wage theft

Drivers are demanding to be repaid for fees they claim were wrongly deducted from their fares

Tesla, Walmart settle lawsuit over solar panel fires

Walmart previously alleged that Tesla’s solar panels caused fires at seven of its stores

Shopify complaints mount from online retailers and consumers

Accusations of chargebacks, account closures, and fund seizures are leading to lawsuits

Supreme Court rules in favor of for-hire vehicle cap in New York City

Uber’s request to have the cap tossed has been rejected

October, 2019

Facebook agrees to pay $645,000 fine over Cambridge Analytica scandal

However, the company did not admit any liability

FTC claims publisher targets seniors with phony cures

The complaint also charges the company of pushing phony financial schemes

Two senators seek FTC probe of Capital One data breach

The lawmakers suggest Amazon, which owns the server, may have violated federal law

Forty-seven attorneys general investigating Facebook for possible antitrust violations

The state officials join federal lawmakers in raising concerns about the social media giant

FTC goes after ‘stalking app’ developers

There are five simple steps consumers can take to make sure they’re safe

Four drug companies reportedly settle opioid suit with two Ohio counties

Reports suggest the deal was reached as the trial was about to begin

Three drug companies reportedly ready to settle opioid claims

A Wall Street Journal report says the defendants would pay $18 billion over 18 years

Parents sue Tesla after son dies in auto accident

The suit claims the vehicle’s battery was the cause of the fatal crash

Lifelock customers to receive $31 million in refunds following FTC settlement

The company was accused of false advertising and not securing users’ sensitive personal information

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $8 billion judgment for drug side effects

One plaintiff claims he was not told Risperdal could promote breast growth

States to fight Purdue bankruptcy deal

Some state officials say the deal doesn’t hold company officials responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic

Johnson & Johnson settles Ohio opioid suit for $20.4 million

But the company continues to deny it misled doctors about the drugs

September, 2019

Mylan to settle SEC charges related to EpiPen

The SEC charged the drug maker with misclassifying EpiPen as a generic drug

FTC suit claims major dating site exposed users to fraud

Match Group denies the charges and says it will defend itself in court

Young climate activists file legal complaint over climate crisis inaction

Greta Thunberg and 15 other young people argue that the biggest carbon-polluting countries are violating children’s rights

Uber sues NYC over cruising cap

The rule was proposed to reduce traffic congestion

Lawsuit accuses AT&T of inflating DirectTV Now subscriber numbers

The company is accused of misleading investors ahead of its merger with Time Warner

Purdue Pharma declares bankruptcy as a way to settle opioid abuse claims

Some states are on board with the plan but others are not

Google under investigation for possible antitrust conduct

A group of 50 state attorneys general have announced a probe into the company’s dominance in online search and advertising

August, 2019

Former Google engineer charged with stealing autonomous vehicle trade secrets

Federal prosecutors claim Anthony Levandowski stole thousands of files before leaving Google

For-profit college settles FTC charges for $30 million

Career Education Corporation was accused of hiring deceptive marketers

Purdue Pharma holding opioid settlement talks, report claims

The company says it is prepared to defend itself in court against claims it caused the opioid crisis

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $572 million in Oklahoma opioid suit

The state had asked for $17 billion

Amazon says Tesla’s solar panels caught fire on one of its buildings

Tesla has acknowledged the ‘isolated event’

Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar fined $1.2 million for selling obsolete and expired products

Regulators found problems with over-the-counter prescriptions and other products

Walmart sues Tesla over reports that its solar panels caught fire on store rooftops

The retail giant says the company was at fault due to negligence

FTC bars five companies from blocking negative consumer reviews

The agency says the companies used illegal non-disparagement contract language

LGBTQ content creators file suit against YouTube

The plaintiffs claim that the platform has discriminated against them

Facebook faces another lawsuit over data breach that compromised 30 million accounts

The level of data stolen runs from location check-ins to birthdates, but it differs from user to user

Google settles lawsuit tied to its Pixel devices

The tech giant will pay owners of faulty Pixel phones up to $500 each

Facebook facial recognition lawsuit moves forward in court

The $35 billion class action suit claims Facebook harvested consumer biometric data without consent

Tesla owner sues the carmaker over a software update that reduces vehicle range

The plaintiff says Tesla is reducing how far cars can drive on a full charge to avoid a recall

FTC settles with email management company over deceptive practices

The agency said that sensitive information in users’ emails was shared for market research

Marriott expects to pay $126 million to resolve data breach

The company will contest regulatory penalties in the UK

Opioid makers propose $10 billion settlement over opioid epidemic claims

Companies selling opioids are facing thousands of lawsuits

Thirteen states sue Trump administration over fuel economy enforcement

The administration is rolling back tougher penalties on carmakers

July, 2019

Judge reduces $2 billion Roundup award to $86 million

The ruling still asserts that Roundup caused cancer in a couple

FDA issues warning letter to company selling CBD products with unproven health claims

The company claims its products treat cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other serious diseases

Google set to be fined over YouTube’s violation of children’s privacy law

An FTC probe found that the platform didn’t adequately protect its youth users

Johnson & Johnson says it will defend itself against multiple lawsuits

The company argues that it has acted ‘responsibly’

FTC and Gerber settle deceptive advertising suit

The agency claimed Gerber misrepresented allergy prevention properties of its formula

District of Columbia sues Marriott over pricing policies

The suit claims the hotel chain often hides the true cost of a room

June, 2019

FDA warns kratom makers to stop marketing products with unproven claims

Two companies have been told to stop touting kratom-containing products as treatments or cures for opioid addiction

Investment broker pleads guilty to swindling elderly New Jersey couple

The case is a cautionary tale about the dangers of elder financial abuse

FedEx sues U.S. government over Huawei-related shipping restrictions

The company says it shouldn’t be held liable for export rules related to current trade tensions

Supreme Court agrees to review insurers’ lawsuit over Obamacare payments

Insurance companies say they are entitled to $12 billion from the government

FTC secures injunction against credit repair company

A judge has temporarily halted Grand Teton Professionals’ operations

FTC investigating YouTube for handling of children’s content

Lawmakers say the investigation is ‘long overdue’

Government agents seize dietary supplements at the request of FDA

The agency claims the products failed to meet good manufacturing practices

Lawsuits claim Amazon’s Alexa illegally records and stores kids’ conversations

The company is accused of breaking laws in nine states

Johnson & Johnson loses another lawsuit over its baby powder

A California woman claims talc products caused her cancer

Carnival Cruise subsidiary admits to violating 2017 pollution settlement

The company will pay a $20 million settlement

FTC stops ‘free trial offer’ pitch that ended up costing consumers

The defendants were fined $9 million and barred from further activity

May, 2019

Consumers who paid to lower their credit card interest rate are getting refunds

The FTC says a robocall-marketed plan was ‘worthless’

U.S. judge rules Qualcomm’s tactics are anticompetitive

A judge sided with the FTC, saying the company business practices ‘strangled competition’

Google to pay owners of defective Pixel phones as part of class action settlement

Owners of Pixel phones with faulty microphones are eligible to receive up to $500

Jury awards plaintiffs $2 billion in latest Roundup case

For the third time in less than a year, Bayer has been found responsible for cancers that developed in long-time Roundup users

States sue generic drug makers, claiming a conspiracy to fix prices

The lawsuit maintains that 114 generic drugs cost more than they should

Supreme Court rules iPhone users can sue Apple for inflating prices

The plaintiffs say prices on the company’s App Store violate antitrust rules

ConAgra faces lawsuits alleging its cans of Pam explode

Eight consumers claim the cans exploded when placed near a stove

FTC takes action against companies accused of barring consumers from writing reviews

It’s the first time the agency has exclusively enforced the Consumer Review Fairness Act

Two lawmakers urge the FTC to consider harsher penalties against Facebook

Senators Blumenthal and Hawley call $5 billion ‘a bargain’

Dating apps removed from Apple Store and Google Play over use by children

The FTC says data was collected from children as young as 12

FTC takes action against illegal crowdfunding scheme

The company is accused of pocketing money that was meant to develop consumer products

New York City will cover the cost of jail phone calls

Making a call from jail or prison can be prohibitively expensive for consumers behind bars

April, 2019

Chipotle receives fourth subpoena over food safety incidents

The latest subpoena seeks information related to the 2018 outbreak at a location in Ohio

U.S. files criminal charges in connection with opioid distribution

The criminal charges are the first in connection with opioid distribution

Sprint and AT&T settle their 5GE lawsuit

Sprint had charged its larger rival with deceiving consumers

Investors sue Lyft following slide in IPO value

Plaintiffs say the company overstated its market value and didn’t disclose details of an e-bike recall

FTC charges telemarketers in lead-generation operation

The agency claims the defendants targeted consumers seeking employment help

FTC settles with company accused of paying for reviews

But how is that different from social media influencers?

March, 2019

New York sues billionaire Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma

The Sacklers and Purdue are accused of putting profits ahead of patient safety

Office Depot to pay $25 million settlement over fraudulent virus scans

The FTC says the company tricked consumers into paying millions of dollars

Federal jury awards man $80 million in Roundup lawsuit

The plaintiff said the product’s design was flawed and led to him developing cancer

Government agencies come together to tackle online drug trafficking

The joint effort is producing impressive results in curbing the flow of deadly drugs, but there’s still more work to be done

Music publishers sue Peloton for using pop hits in workouts without permission

The luxury stationary bike company is worth $4 billion but is accused of skimping on artist pay

Second jury finds glyphosate in Roundup caused cancer

The ruling comes less than a year after another plaintiff won a case against Monsanto

Johnson & Johnson shares drop after jury delivers $29 million verdict over baby powder and lung cancer

Another lawsuit alleging a link between mesothemilia and baby powder ends with an expensive verdict for the iconic company

Stanford students file lawsuit over college admissions scandal

This could be just the tip of the iceberg for students spurned by select colleges think their admission was given to less-qualified students

Apple responds to Spotify’s antitrust suit

The tech giant argues that the claims made by the music streaming service are misleading

Purdue Pharma CEO says bankruptcy ‘is an option’

The company could face massive litigation over OxyContin

Spotify files antitrust complaint against Apple

The music streaming giant says Apple’s control of its App store limits innovation and consumer choice

Lumber Liquidators reaches $33 million fraud settlement with the SEC

Regulators claim the company misled consumers and investors about formaldehyde issues

Leader of alleged cryptocurrency pyramid scheme arrested

Investigators have accused the makers of OneCoin of operating a Ponzi scheme

Tesla shareholders sue to stop Elon Musk’s ‘unchecked use of Twitter’

A lawsuit alleges Musk’s inaccurate statements on Twitter are damaging the company

States sue administration over changes to Title X Family Planning Rule

The lawsuit claims the rule prevents doctors from discussing abortion with patients

February, 2019

FTC settles first case against weight loss product seller who bought fake reviews

The agency accused the company of using paid reviews to increase sales of its weight loss capsules

Appeals court rules AT&T/Time Warner merger can proceed

The ruling comes two years after the companies announced their intention to merge

SEC asks judge to charge Elon Musk with contempt

The agency claims that the Tesla CEO violated last year’s fraud settlement

Bayer facing second trial over glyphosate in Roundup

California resident Edwin Hardeman alleges that Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

FTC gets tough with Facebook over data privacy penalties

Where’s the tipping point when it comes to giant corporations protecting the consumer?

SEC charges former Apple executive with insider trading

The executive was previously Apple's corporate secretary and senior director of corporate law

Man rejected from firefighter job over marijuana use sues for discrimination

A man who hoped to become a firefighter says he was rejected from the job for his legal medical marijuana card

Sprint sues AT&T over 5GE branding

The suit says the marketing strategy is ‘deceptive’ to consumers

MIT professors claim Ford stole technology for its F-Series truck line

As usual, the patent infringement case is a who-owns-what can of worms

January, 2019

Judge denies plaintiffs’ motion for Yahoo data breach settlement

A California judge wants more answers from the tech giant

U.S. indicts Huawei on bank fraud charges

The Chinese tech giant is also accused of stealing trade secrets

Facebook accused of tricking kids into spending thousands on free-to-play games

A lawsuit claims that the company engaged in deceptive practices for years

California sues Huntington Beach over lack of affordable housing

The city is being accused of ‘willfully refusing to comply with state housing law’

States settle claims against Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary over hip implants

The companies were accused of making misleading claims

Walgreens settles charges it overcharged government health programs

The retail pharmacy will pay a total of $269 million in two settlements

Justice Department pursuing criminal probe against Huawei

The company is accused of stealing intellectual property from T-Mobile and other companies

Air traffic controllers sue the U.S. over the shutdown

A lawsuit claims that workers responsible for the safety of others are being stressed to the breaking point

Fiat Chrysler reaches settlement over diesel emissions cheating charges

The company will pay a total of $500 million to resolve a civil complaint

Diversion of 911 fees still an issue in several states, report finds

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says 911 fee diversion is ‘outrageous’ and ‘undermines public safety’

December, 2018

Pulte Homes settles construction complaint with Florida attorney general

State regulators charged a builder of unfairly denying warranty coverage for construction defects

I’m sorry you feel that way: What corporations refused to apologize for in 2018

Consumers often bear the brunt of corporate missteps. But not every brand was willing to say ‘sorry’ this year

Appeals court hears government's bid to break up AT&T and Time Warner

The Justice Department is challenging the merger that took place in July

Marriott sued after disclosing breach of reservation system

One lawsuit seeks $12.5 billion in damages

November, 2018

Class action lawsuit claims Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase sold personal consumer info

The plaintiffs say the banks profited off the information without first obtaining consent

Opioid industry refuses to pay a tax in New York meant to defray costs of epidemic

A New York state tax on drug-makers was supposed to raise $600 million to cover the costs of the opioid crisis

FDA charges dietary supplements containing tianeptine are illegal drugs

Two companies have been warned to stop selling them

FTC finds 1-800 Contacts engaged in anticompetitive activity

The company says it will appeal

PG&E is trying raise rates in California to pay for damage from wildfires it is accused of causing

Investors are fleeing after learning that the utility’s transmission lines may have caused the Camp Fire

Lawsuit alleges movie service Sinemia contains hidden fees

Plaintiffs say the subscription has little value due to undisclosed fees

Judge tosses Quarter Pounder suit against McDonald's

Two consumers sought $5 million over lack of price disparity

MoneyGram to pay $125 million in FTC settlement

The agency said the company had not complied with previous settlement

Dewayne Johnson accepts reduced punitive award in Monsanto trial

Bayer says it will appeal the decision regardless

Supreme Court split on Google privacy settlement

Under the current settlement, Google users would receive no money

October, 2018

Yahoo to pay $50 million to victims of 2013 data breach

Account holders who had their information compromised can claim up to $375

Attorneys General call for strict enforcement of the Military Lending Act

Thirty-three state officials are asking the CFPB not to drop routine audits of lenders

New York sues Exxon Mobil for allegedly misleading investors

A lawsuit claims the company told investors that it had factored in the cost of climate change but never did

Bird, Lime, and other dockless scooters are unsafe, lawsuit claims

The plaintiffs say dockless e-scooters contain defective electronics and do not provide proper safety instructions

Judge reduces punitive damages in Monsanto case by $211 million

The ruling denies the company’s request to completely drop the claim

StarKist pleads guilty to canned tuna price-fixing

Government investigators claim rivals colluded to keep prices high

Judge may overrule jury’s decision in Monsanto Roundup case

A judge may gut a significant portion of cancer-victim Dewayne Johnson’s award

Judge demands Musk, SEC justify their settlement agreement

Judge Alison Nathan has requested a joint letter explaining why the settlement is ‘fair and reasonable’

September, 2018

SEC alleges 10 individuals generated over $27 million from unlawful stock sales

Florida billionaire Phillip Frost is believed to have played a role in two of three market manipulation schemes

State Farm reaches $250 million settlement on racketeering claim

Policyholders claim the insurance company tried to rig Illinois' justice system against them

August, 2018

Missouri is about to criminalize using the word ‘meat’ to sell meat substitutes

Missouri officials are ready to stand up for meat, whatever that means

Target debit cardholders are seeing ‘red’

A class action lawsuit claims debit cards with non-sufficient funds are getting hit with excessive fees

Microsoft faces investigation over its business practices in Hungary

Potential kickbacks, middlemen, and jacked-up prices are all raising questions

Bayer stocks tumble after $289 million verdict against Monsanto

A jury’s ruling that Roundup causes cancer comes shortly after a controversial merger between two seed giants

Locals and activists fight to stop a Louisiana pipeline that the operator insists most people want

The Bayou Bridge pipeline is partially financed by the same company behind the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline

July, 2018

Johnson & Johnson threatens legal action after researchers criticize company’s hip implant research

The corporation is demanding a retraction after a paper alleged serious flaws in the company’s own research

Mississippi sues Navient, claiming student loan abuses

The company denies the charges

Jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.7 billion in talcum powder suit

The company denies its products contain asbestos and vows to appeal the decision

June, 2018

Appeals court rules Carfax didn't violate antitrust laws

The vehicle information company battled car dealers for five years

May, 2018

Supreme Court rules in favor of companies on forced arbitration policies

The decision allows employers to bar workers from filing or joining class action lawsuits

Supreme Court decision could pave the way for legal sports betting

The court struck down a 1992 law that had banned gambling on sporting events

Supreme Court to examine how class action settlements are distributed

Awarding money to charities instead of class members is being challenged

April, 2018

Facebook to face class action lawsuit over its facial recognition technology

A suit alleges that the company’s Tag Suggestions feature violates an Illinois privacy act

Federal judge finalizes $25 million Trump University settlement

Former Trump University students are now eligible for a refund

November, 2017

State governments take on drug companies to curb rising prices

Forty-five states are suing 18 generic drugmakers over alleged price-fixing

October, 2017

Nestle's Poland Spring seeks dismissal of class action lawsuit

Plaintiffs alleged water doesn't actually come from springs

September, 2017

What to know about the class action suits against Equifax

You're included unless you say you want out

Yahoo data breach class action allowed to move forward

A U.S. District Judge says that plaintiffs can sue over compromised personal information

August, 2017

Aetna faces legal action after revealing customers' HIV information

Experts say the disclosures have caused 'incalculable harm'

California jury awards $417 million in talcum powder cancer case

It's the latest in a blizzard of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson

Lawsuit claims Poland Spring water doesn't come from springs

Company says it meets government definition of spring water

Spokeo loses latest round in long-running privacy court battle

The case involves an allegedly inaccurate listing on the aggregator's site

Nissan reaches class action settlement in Takata airbag case

A $97.68 million agreement awaits court approval

House panel recommends contempt citation against consumer watchdog

Recommendation targets head of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

State officials join fight to preserve consumers' right to sue

Congress is poised to repeal the Arbitration Rule

July, 2017

Coke banishes Coke Zero, introduces Coke Zero Sugar

Critics, meanwhile, file a lawsuit blaming Coke for the American obesity epidemic

House votes to block CFPB's anti-arbitration rule

The measure would ban consumers from seeking their day in court

Judge removes some plaintiffs in Missouri Essure case

Women claim the birth control device causes pain, menstrual problems

Consumer bureau issues rule restoring right to file class actions

Arbitration clauses blocked citizens from banding together to seek justice

Remington rifle settlement doesn't do the job, states argue

The company denies claims that 7 million rifles are unsafe

Judge grants final approval of $7.5 million settlement between Uber and former drivers

The class alleged that Uber denied them employment based on illegal background checks

NY AG settles with scouting company over deceptive practices

National Scouting Report Inc. has agreed to pay $20,000 and revise its practices

Honest Co. settles 'all-natural' suits

Lawsuits claimed the company's products contain synthetic elements

June, 2017

Former Starkist executive pleads guilty to price-fixing

It's the third such plea in an ongoing investigation into artificially inflated tuna prices

Consumers misidentified as terrorists win $60 million verdict

TransUnion mistakenly identified them as criminals in their credit reports

Whole Foods class action over food weights finds second life

A three-judge panel overturned a previous ruling that dismissed the case

May, 2017

Bumble Bee pleads guilty, others may be drawn into price-fixing scandal

The price of canned tuna rose as demand fell over recent years

Dollar General motor oil dangerous to modern cars, suit alleges

The label warns that the oil shouldn't be used in cars made after 1988

April, 2017

EpiPen class action a test case for controlling drug prices: lawyer

A federal judge in Kansas has named three lawyers to lead the case against Mylan NV

Comcast class action dismissed but not dead yet

A U.S. District Judge has given plaintiffs leave to amend their case

Netgear cable modem subject of class action suit

Complaint alleges Intel chip in the CM700 causes network delays

Class action filed against Tesla over vehicle safety features

Consumers allegedly paid extra for safety features and an enhanced autopilot program that were faulty

Class action suit claims BlackRock mismanaged employees' retirement funds

The company allegedly funneled investments through multiple fund layers to collect millions in fees

Class action charges EpiPen maker colluded to raise prices 574%

RICO suit says the company pays kickbacks to pharmacy benefit managers

March, 2017

Trump University class-action complicated by claimant objection

The action could put the settlement and all other class members at risk

Ex-Trump University students getting big class action payouts

Students didn't get the huge returns they expected on their expensive courses

Class action claims Windows 10 upgrade damaged computers

Plaintiffs say the product was often installed without consent and caused big problems

Harbor Freight settles class action over misleading sales tactics

The suit alleged that the company marked items on sale even though they were never priced higher

Maine dairy company may pay millions due to an omitted Oxford comma

Drivers say a law omitting the punctuation technically entitles them to four years of overtime pay

Standard Innovation settles class action over alleged vibrator data collection

Plaintiffs say the company's vibrator products collected 'intimate details' about their use

Audible class action accuses company of using bait and switch tactics and false advertising

A former subscriber says he paid for credits that were forfeited when he cancelled his subscription

NCAA class action settlement moves closer to approval

Student athletes seek compensation over antitrust allegations

Class action claims U.S. military denies full disability benefits

The suit says tens of thousands of retired service members may have been denied their full compensation

February, 2017

Class action says Sprint didn't come through with promised deal

Lower rates, refunded termination fees, pre-loaded Visa cards didn't materialize, suit charges

Suit over Odwalla ingredients moves forward

Lawsuit claims that the Coca-Cola brand was not forthcoming in its labeling

January, 2017

Lawsuit finds fault with Samsung washing machine recall

The company is not making an effort to repair recalled machines, suit charges

December, 2016

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay over $1 billion over hip products

The company says it will appeal, but the decision could set a costly precedent

November, 2016

MyPillow puts health claims to rest in settling California lawsuit

The company agrees to stop claiming its pillows can prevent or treat disease without citing evidence

October, 2016

Class action alleges Costco charged illegal sales tax on toilet paper

A New Jersey man filed the suit, saying that he paid an extra 7% on his purchases

September, 2016

Wells Fargo sued over account fraud scandal

Three Utah consumers seek $5 million in damages

August, 2016

Judge: Iced drinks should be expected to contain ice

Court tosses too-much-ice case against Starbucks

July, 2016

UPS employee sues company over 'reporting pay'

Claim he wasn't paid when he showed up for work and his shift was caacelled

April, 2016

Class action targets RV refrigerator fires

"Thousands of reports" of fires but company allegedly failed to act

February, 2016

Blue Buffalo class action settlement instructions

The company has agreed to pay up to $32 million to settle claims its products made pets sick

Blue Buffalo to pay $32 million to settle lawsuits by pet owners

The lawsuits claim the company broke its "True Blue Promise"

January, 2016

Honda faces class action over soy-based electrical wiring

Plaintiffs claim that the automaker refuses to pay for damage caused by animals chewing through exposed wires

Volkswagen bail-out bill moving through Congress

"Class action fairness" bill would get VW off the hook

November, 2015

Lowe's to pay $1.1 million to consumers for overcharging on flooring installation services

An investigation by the NY AG found that prices were not properly disclosed

August, 2015

Judge rejects HOA's attempt to impose fines and jail time over backyard swingset

Another homeowners' association opposed to actual homeowners

March, 2015

Target offers $10 million settlement over 2013 data breach

Individual victims could claim up to $10,000 in damages, if a federal judge accepts Target's proposal

November, 2014

Facebook rewrites and sort-of updates its privacy policies, again

It's less complicated than before--which isn't saying much

September, 2014

eBay hacked again? BBC reports hijacked seller accounts

Potential buyers and sellers both must beware this potential threat

August, 2014

Johnson & Johnson seeks to dismiss class-action talcum powder suit

Plaintiffs were not harmed, but allege that they might have been

Gap and Banana Republic sued over outlet-store offerings

Plaintiff claims lower-quality outlet items constitute false advertising, violate consumer-protection laws

Judge rules class-action suit against eBay and PayPal may proceed

Plaintiff claims "buyer is always right" policy hurts honest sellers, helps dishonest buyers

Red Bull to pay $13 million in false-advertising case

Class action challenged claims the drinks had more benefits than coffee

July, 2014

California law protects drought-stricken homeowners from HOAs

But local government can still contradict state drought restrictions, for now

June, 2014

Hydroxycut settlement to reimburse consumers

Weight loss supplement was recalled in 2009

February, 2014

Supreme Court lets moldy washer cases keep on churning

The justices reject appeals from Whirlpool, Sears, Bosch

December, 2013

Lawsuit accuses websites of defamation, racketeering

Attorney says the sites posted false information, then tried to charge her to have it removed

August, 2013

Lawsuit challenges Crisco's "all natural" claims

Consumer says the company uses genetically-modified ingredients

December, 2012

Lawsuit alleges Better Business Bureau is a "Mafia-like racket"

Law firm says it was defamed for refusing to submit to a BBB "shakedown"

February, 2012

Class-Action Suit Targets Moldy GE Washing Machines

Suit says company deceived customers by not revealing the problem

Baby-Death Suit Against Nojo Baby Sling Moves Forward

Judge allows suit to proceed despite statute of limitations

December, 2011

'Clean Up Government Act' Passes Its First Big Test

House Judiciary Committee unanimously passes anti-corruption bill

July, 2011

Google-NSA Secrets Can Stay That Way, Judge Rules

Spy agency won't confirm or deny its dealings with Google

June, 2011

Class Action Suit: Polaroid LCD TVs a Fire Hazard

Company has allegedly known of problem since 2006 but has done nothing to warn consumers

February, 2011

Federal Caps on Debit Card Fees May Backfire, Consumer Group Warns

Banks may increase the cost of checking accounts and other services, CFA cautions

Parents Sue Disney for Scalding-Hot Nacho Cheese

Son was injured when cheese cup flew across tray, suit charges

DirectBuy Settles Class Action Lawsuit, Denies Allegations

Disgruntled members claim they did not benefit from alleged kickbacks

January, 2011

Tanning Salon Chain Settles Deceptive Sales Charges

Colorado found company personnel misled consumers

November, 2010

Lawsuit: Overstock.com Misrepresents Prices

Complaint filed in seven California counties

Amway Subsidiary Settles Lawsuit

Quixtar accused of running pyramid scheme

May, 2010

Suit Claims BMW Airbags Defective

Class action seeks damages for drivers injured when bags deploy for no reason

Groundbreaking Reversal in Movie Theater Disability Case

Appeals court rejects finding that special equipment is not needed to aid disabled patrons

April, 2010

Johnson & Johnson Pushed Drugs on Seniors, Suit Alleges

Drug company allegedly conspired with pharmaceutical consulting company

Scores of Lawnmower Makers Settle Horsepower Suit

Consumers alleged false advertisements, conspiracy

March, 2010

Court Dismisses Latest Listerine Suit

More controversy over claim that mouthwash is 'as effective as floss'

Massive Illegal Phone Billing Operation Halted

FTC says scam took in $19 million over five years

February, 2010

Bill Me Later Charges Illegal Interest Rates, Class Action Says

Company faces class action alleging breach of usury laws

Lawsuit Takes Aim at Dr. Phil's 'Resident Money Expert'

South Carolina couple claims financial wizard scammed them for millions

January, 2010

Skype Settles Credit Expiration Class Action

Agreement brings end to company's policy

FTC Wins $675,000 Settlement With Debt Collectors

Agency releases new video explaining consumer rights

December, 2009

New Jersey Settles With Verizon Over Deceptive FiOS Marketing

State claimed company didn't live up to promised offers

Owens Corning Faces Shingle Class Action

Charges defective design, fraudulent marketing

November, 2009

Class Action Accuses PG&E of Overcharges

Utility accused of negligence, fraud in SmartMeter program

September, 2009

Dannon Settles Activia Suit

Ads overstated yogurt's effect on digestive health

'Millionaire University' Sued For Allegedly Scamming Students

Victims claim 'professors' conned them into risky real estate investments

Pfizer Pays Record $2.3 Billion Settlement Over Illegal Marketing Charges

Company accused of misleading customers on Bextra branding

August, 2009

FCC Chair Vows To Enforce Net Neutrality

Comcast continues challenge to ruling on blocking content

May, 2009

Class Action Alleges that GE Microwaves Have Control Panel Defect

Alleges failure of control panel and magnetron

California Certifies Class Action Against Pella

Alleges leaking windows, nonexistent service

April, 2009

Costco Settles "Hot Gasoline" Suit

Company to retrofit pumps to avoid shorting drivers

March, 2009

Chinese Lawsuit Claims Toxins in American Soap, Shampoo

U.S. report finds toxins in Johnson & Johnson products

Radio Shack, AT&T Face Class Action Suit

$99 Acer notebook deal really was too good to be true, suit charges

September, 2008

House Passes New Internet Radio Legislation

Bill would enable negotiations on royalties to continue after Congressional recess

August, 2008

FCC Votes To Punish Comcast For Content Blocking

Majority of commissioners say cable giant violated federal policy

July, 2008

New Bankruptcy Law Fails To Protect Consumers, Report Finds

Foreclosures, credit card debt increase in wake of changes to law

Trilegiant Settles Class Action for $25 Million

Company agrees to change its business practices

Obama Calls For Bankruptcy Law Reform

Says process should be improved for military, disaster victims

May, 2008

Comcast, Cox Caught Blocking BitTorrent

Researchers detect cable companies' Internet traffic jams

April, 2008

Cable, Telco Interests Sit Out Net Neutrality Hearing

Comcast leaves field to neutrality supporters

March, 2008

Comcast Agrees To Stop Blocking Internet Users

Will work with file-sharing companies and change network structure

Net Neutrality Supporters Testify

House Committee hears testimony on Internet access

February, 2008

Comcast Blocks Public From FCC Hearing

Cable company pays thugs to keep public out of public hearing

Blue Hippo Pays $5 Million To Settle FTC Charges

Consumers complain computer layaway purchases went awry

January, 2008

People to People Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Minnesota youth's family sues People to People

November, 2007

Comcast Sued Over Internet Blocking

Lawsuit alleges deceptive marketing and misleading of customers

House Committee Passes Mortgage Reform Bill

Bill aims to save homeowners from foreclosure

October, 2007

Comcast Blocks Subscribers From Some Services

Illustrates need for 'net neutrality' legislation, activists allege

September, 2007

Verizon's Abortion Block Raises Net Neutrality Concerns

Telecom reverses course, blames "incorrect interpretation" of its policies

July, 2007

Contractor Mishandles Private Data on 580,000 Military Personnel

Government contractor SAIC disclosed late Friday 20 that it had transmitted personal data on 580,000 military personnel and their families over the Internet without encrypting the information.

May, 2007

Senate Press Gallery Ejects Consumer Journalist

Government Employees Question Site's "Business Model"

April, 2007

Congress May Outlaw Spyware

Illicit Software Invades Consumers' Privacy, House Committee is Told

February, 2007

Merck Braces for Flood of Fosamax Lawsuits

Osteoporosis Medication Can Destroy Patients' Jawbones

August, 2006

Plaintiff Power Not Dead Yet: Consumer Class Actions Roll On Despite Congressional Assault

Consumer Class Actions Roll On Despite Congressional Assault

May, 2006

Pennsylvania Prosecutes Home Alarm Company

Company will refund consumers, pay fines and change its sales campaigns

Texas Court Invalidates KB Home's Forced Arbitration

Texas Homeowners Can Now Sue KB Home for Construction Defects

Florida Opens "Cramming" Probe

Charges From Axcess Internet Solutions Placed through ILD Teleservices

April, 2006

States Oppose IRS Plan to Loosen Privacy Rules on Taxpayers' Returns

Attorneys General from 46 states and Washington D.C have filed formal objections to proposed Internal Revenue Service.

February, 2006

McDonald's Fesses Up to Milk, Wheat Content of Fries

McDonald's faces at least three lawsuits claiming it misled the public about the milk and wheat content of its French fries

January, 2006

Identity Theft More Prevalent Offline, Report Finds

Report finds that identity theft is more prevelant offline.

Gulf Coast Homeowners File Class Action against State Farm

Class action filed by Gulf Coast Homeowners against State Farm.

November, 2005

Negative Option: When No Means Yes

Instead of the merchant having to "sell" you a product or service, it starts with the assumption that youve already bought it

August, 2005

Aspiring Writers Trash PublishAmerica

Want to be a published author? All it takes is money

May, 2005

AGs Settle NorVergence Claims With Three Leasing Companies

Attorneys General from across the country have reached agreements with US Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group, Wells Fargo Financial Leasing and CIT Technology Financing

April, 2005

New York Eyes Identity Theft Prevention

representatives of consumer advocacy and crime victims organizations are urging the State Legislature to protect consumers from identity theft and the unauthorized use of personal data.

March, 2005

Remeron Refund Procedure Announced

Consumers will begin seeing numerous public service announcements and advertisements

September, 2004

Fast Cash Loans Charged with Illegal Practices

Payday lender Fast Cash Loans faces charges that it abused its customers in Washington State

Kevin Trudeau Banned from Infomercials

Kevin Trudeau has been banned in Boston, and everywhere else in the U.S.

January, 2004

CMS Settles Federal Charges for $23 Million

Company provided merchants with credit card payment services

January, 2002

Electric Mobility Fined $225,000 by New Jersey

A fine of $225,000 was given to Electric Mobility by the state of New Jersey.

September, 2001

Consumer complaints about price-gouging post-Sept. 11

Gasoline price-gouging is an ugly phenomenon

Other Resources

Credit Card Reform Comes Back To Congress

Dual hearings emphasize need for changes to industry

Get the news you need delivered to you

Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.

By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Unsubscribe at any time.

You’re signed up

We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.