Cases

Veteran Litigator Kurt Weaver Joins Chicago’s Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Enhancing Expertise in Mass Tort and Product Liability Cases

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CHICAGO — Kurt Weaver, a prominent litigator with over 30 years of expertise in defending complex product liability and mass tort cases, has joined the Chicago office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a partner. His extensive experience includes multidistrict litigation and significant commercial disputes. Weaver’s practice spans multiple sectors, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and consumer goods. In the past seven years alone, he has successfully led 13 complex product liability cases to jury verdicts and served as lead counsel in notable multidistrict litigations. His legal skill set further encompasses advising clients on both … Read more

New Jersey Supreme Court Consolidates Over 100 Sexual Abuse Cases from Juvenile Detention Facilities into Multicounty Litigation

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TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Supreme Court has classified over 100 cases of alleged sexual abuse at state-operated juvenile detention centers as multicounty litigation, according to a notification issued to legal professionals on Wednesday. This designation allows for more streamlined handling of these sensitive cases, which involve claims made against multiple defendants and span across various jurisdictions. The decision reflects growing concerns regarding the treatment of youth in state custody, prompting legal action from numerous individuals seeking justice for their experiences. Victims have reported various forms of abuse occurring within these facilities, raising alarms … Read more

Johnson & Johnson Faces Setback as Talc Bankruptcy Ruling Stirs Controversy in Tort Cases

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Bankruptcy courts are often seen as a refuge for companies facing massive legal liabilities, but the recent case involving Johnson & Johnson underscores the complexities of navigating such proceedings. The pharmaceutical giant has faced a significant backlash regarding its talc-based products, specifically in relation to allegations linking these products to health issues. In a recent ruling, a bankruptcy judge declined to approve J&J’s attempt to minimize its exposure to lawsuits by creating a subsidiary to handle talc claims. This decision marked a pivotal moment in a series of legal challenges that have plagued the company … Read more

Calls for Accountability Rise as Grand Jury Inquiry into Catholic Church Abuse Cases Sparks Outrage

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In Trenton, New Jersey, discussions surrounding the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse allegations have intensified, particularly with the state’s grand jury involved in the matter. Lloyd Levenson, representing the church, remarked that those unaware of the grand jury’s proceedings would need to be exceptionally uninformed. Levenson claimed that the intent of the investigation appears to be aimed at casting a negative light on the church, its priests, and bishops. He emphasized that while the grand jury’s focus may be controversial, criminal investigations by the state remain an option, and victims have the ability to seek … Read more