Cases

Los Angeles County Considers Groundbreaking Right to Counsel Law to Assist Renters in Eviction Cases

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Los Angeles, California — Los Angeles County may soon offer a significant boost to tenants facing eviction by providing them with free legal representation. The county supervisors have moved forward with a plan to establish a “right to counsel” ordinance that would assist renters, particularly in the county’s unincorporated areas, where some one million residents could benefit. This proposal requires one more vote before it can be written into law. The initiative aims to address the disproportionate legal expertise often available to landlords over tenants. Currently, while most landlords have legal assistance in housing courts, … Read more

Washington Court of Appeals Overturns $185 Million Monsanto PCB Verdict, Impacting Future and Past Cases

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Seattle, Washington — A recent ruling from the Washington Court of repercussions, reversing a substantial $185 million verdict against Monsanto could potentially nullify a cumulative $1.6 billion awarded in past jury decisions concerning the company’s liability over toxic chemicals. The verdict, pivoting on the legal interpretation of liability timelines, could set a precedent affecting numerous similar cases in the state. Earlier in May, the Court of Appeals overturned the initial verdict from a 2021 King County Superior Court case involving 200 plaintiffs comprising students, teachers, and parents from the Sky Valley Education Center. These individuals … Read more

Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Ruling in Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy, Shaping Future of Mass Tort Cases

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WASHINGTON — A recent Supreme Court decision has resoundingly reshaped the landscape of bankruptcy law, particularly in how it pertains to mass tort litigations, exemplified by the high-profile Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. At the heart of this judicial review was a debated proposal to exempt the Sackler family — owners of Purdue Pharma and makers of OxyContin — from future civil lawsuits while committing them to pay $6 billion into a settlement fund for victims of the opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma entered into bankruptcy in 2019 after facing a slew of lawsuits that attributed much … Read more

Supreme Court Limits Bankruptcy Shield, Forcing Companies to Reassess Settlement Strategies in Mass Tort Cases

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Washington — The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling has significantly impacted how bankruptcy can be employed, particularly in mass tort litigations involving organizations like Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. The court has curtailed the scope of bankruptcy courts, specifically rescinding their authority to dismiss legal claims against non-debtors without the explicit consent of the involved parties. Historically, bankruptcy proceedings have provided a robust mechanism for organizations to manage and settle widespread legal challenges, including cases related to sexual abuse and consumer products linked to health issues. Such procedures allowed for the automatic halting of … Read more