Johnson & Johnson Faces Setback as Talc Bankruptcy Court Ruling Shakes Tort Claim Landscape

Bankruptcy courts in the United States have increasingly become battlegrounds for companies facing substantial tort claims. A notable case is that of Johnson & Johnson, which recently encountered a significant setback concerning its talc products. This outcome may have far-reaching implications for how corporations manage liabilities stemming from lawsuits. In a stark decision, a bankruptcy judge ruled against J&J’s efforts to resolve hundreds of thousands of claims related to its talc-based products through a restructured settlement process. The ruling revolved around the company’s controversial strategy of utilizing bankruptcy proceedings to mitigate the overwhelming financial burden … Read more

Alabama Supreme Court Reinstates Lawyer’s Claim in Controversial Social Media Case Linked to George Floyd’s Legacy

Montgomery, Alabama — The Alabama Supreme Court has reinstated a legal dispute involving a lawyer who claims he was wrongfully terminated due to a manipulated social media post. The court’s ruling overturned a lower court’s decision that had dismissed the suit brought by attorney Daniel Flickinger against his peer, Lawrence Tracy King. In a 5-4 vote, the justices decided to send the case back to Jefferson County Circuit Court for further examination. The decision does not resolve the merits of Flickinger’s claim of “tortious interference with a business relationship”; instead, it emphasizes that pertinent factual … Read more

Federal Circuit Reverses Jury’s Infringement Ruling in LabCorp vs. Qiagen, Citing Claim Construction Errors

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., has overturned a previous ruling by a district court in a significant patent infringement case involving Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (LabCorp) and Qiagen Sciences, LLC. The appellate court found that the jury’s conclusions regarding patent infringement were not backed by adequate evidence and that the district court had improperly allowed the jury to make determinations on claim construction. LabCorp possesses two patents focused on methods for preparing DNA samples for sequencing, aiming to enhance whole-genome sequencing techniques. The dispute arose when LabCorp … Read more

Legal Action Taken Against Ex-WA Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz Over Alleged Abuse Claim Mismanagement

SEATTLE — A lawsuit has surfaced alleging that former Washington State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz failed to adequately address claims of abuse within her department. The legal action, which targets Franz directly, brings attention to the handling of sensitive allegations that have ignited public concern. The lawsuit stemmed from incidents involving a former employee who alleged they were subjected to harassment and discrimination. The plaintiff contends that under Franz’s leadership, appropriate measures were not taken despite multiple reports of misconduct. This situation reflects broader issues related to workplace harassment and the responsibility of leaders to … Read more