Lawsuits challenge ‘Made in USA’ label

Consumer lawsuits based on a California law are challenging “Made in USA” labels. The California law is even stricter than the Federal Trade Commission guidelines, which say the “Made in USA” label can be used on goods that are “all or virtually all” made domestically, the Wall Street Journal (sub.…

Oct 2, 2014 6:15 AM CDT

Oct. 6, 1958: Quiz Show Hearings Begin

Oct 1, 2014 1:10 AM CDT

Big Tobacco appeals court-mandated anti-smoking advertisements

Tobacco companies have appealed a court order requiring them to admit in advertisements that they lied about the health risks of cigarettes. On Monday, the Associated Press reported that several tobacco companies have filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In the appeal, the…

Sep 30, 2014 1:30 PM CDT

Suit says Templeton Rye whiskey isn’t really made in Iowa using Prohibition-era recipe

A consumer lawsuit claims the makers of Templeton Rye whiskey misled consumers with marketing materials suggesting the product was made in a small Iowa town and based on a Prohibition-era recipe loved by Al Capone. The suit, filed on Aug. 29 in Cook County, Illinois, alleges consumers paid a premium…

Sep 25, 2014 7:18 AM CDT

New York Times article on hidden hospital costs sparks calls for change, suggestions for consumers

A New York Times (reg. req.) article about hidden surgery and hospital costs that can hit insured patients with unexpected bills of up to $100,000 or even more is apparently striking a chord with readers. The newspaper tells the story, among others, of a 37-year-old man who needs neck surgery.…

Sep 24, 2014 12:25 PM CDT

Home Depot confirms data breach

Home Depot confirmed Monday that the store had suffered a data breach that could affect customers who used a debit card or a credit card at some 2,200 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company said its payment systems had been hacked possibly as far back as April, but…

Sep 8, 2014 5:05 PM CDT

IOLTA programs will get part of Bank of America settlement

Programs that help fund legal aid to the poor through interest on lawyers’ trust accounts will benefit as a result of the $16.65 billion Bank of America settlement with the United States. IOLTA programs will get at least $30 million from the deal, which resolved allegations that Bank of America…

Aug 29, 2014 11:15 AM CDT

Are you allergic to your technology? Suit seeks information on recalled Fitbit Force wristbands

A would-be class action lawsuit against a company that makes wearable fitness-tracking devices highlights the difficulties of obtaining information about the content of a recalled product. Fitbit recalled more than a million of its Fitbit Force wristbands in February because of consumer complaints about skin reactions, according to the New…

Aug 22, 2014 11:15 AM CDT

Louisiana suit claims State Farm emphasizes costs over safety with preferred auto repair shops

A lawsuit filed by the state of Louisiana accuses State Farm of steering customers to preferred repair shops for damaged vehicles, in violation of state unfair-practices and monopolies laws. Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell filed the suit Tuesday in state court in Baton Rouge, report the New Orleans Times-Picayune and…

Aug 21, 2014 11:15 AM CDT

Delaware is first state to adopt model law that says social media accounts can be inherited

When individuals die their social media accounts often expire along with them. Even if their loved ones have the passwords, terms of use for Facebook and other providers routinely restrict account-sharing. But a uniform law that Delaware reportedly has become the first state to enact changes this expectation, recognizing social…

Aug 20, 2014 4:20 PM CDT

Suit claims boiler room operation recruited plaintiffs in alleged law firm mortgage rescue scam

The states of Florida and Connecticut have obtained a temporary restraining order in a suit claiming two law firms and related defendants collected at least $4.7 million in upfront fees from consumers in an alleged mortgage rescue scam. Among the eight defendants are the Berger Law Firm, a Florida corporation,…

Aug 13, 2014 6:27 PM CDT

Law grads sue over ‘Barmageddon,’ seek refund of software fee and punitive damages

Law graduates in at least two states have filed suit over a so-called Barmageddon software glitch that reportedly made it impossible for a number of test-takers to submit their answers on time last month on the first day of the bar exam. Although the deadline was extended in all affected…

Aug 7, 2014 3:45 PM CDT

Quaker Oats settles case with agreement to remove trans fats

Quaker Oats has agreed to remove trans fats from its Oatmeal to Go and Instant Quaker Oatmeal products as part of a lawsuit settlement that doesn’t include money for those who are not name plaintiffs. Quaker Oats will pay up to $760,000 in attorney fees and estimates it will cost…

Aug 6, 2014 11:15 AM CDT

Financier backs Austrian law student’s class action against Facebook; it seeks damages under US law

Backed by an unidentified financier, a 26-year-old Austrian law student has filed a class-action lawsuit against Facebook in his privacy-friendly home country. The Vienna commercial court case filed by Max Schrems claims privacy violations under European Union law, pointing to Facebook’s sharing of user data with third parties through the…

Aug 4, 2014 7:15 PM CDT

Judge cites danger of ‘sucker lists’ in refusing to release names of ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ victims

A federal judge last month denied a request by Inside Edition for a list of the financial victims of Jordan Belfort, the stockbroker whose crimes were depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street. U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of Brooklyn said releasing the list could cause more harm to the…

Jul 28, 2014 11:15 AM CDT