Impacting

Supreme Court Restricts Nonconsensual Releases in Chapter 11 Bankruptcies, Impacting Mass Tort Litigation

by

Washington, D.C. – In a significant ruling that may transform the landscape of bankruptcy law, the U.S. Supreme Court has decisively limited the use of “nonconsensual third-party releases” in chapter 11 reorganization plans. This decision, falling on a narrow 5-4 margin, rejected these provisions, which previously allowed for the involuntary release of claims against nondebtors, such as the controversial inclusion of the Sackler family in Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy case. Delivering the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, articulated that such releases improperly … Read more

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

by

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

Explosion of Disability Lawsuits: How One Law Firm’s Strategy is Impacting Businesses Nationwide

by

Washington, D.C. – A surge in disability lawsuits has swept over businesses across the United States, instigated primarily by a specific law firm. This legal powerhouse has flooded various courts with thousands of claims, alleging that numerous businesses fail to comply with federal disability laws. These lawsuits target a myriad of establishments ranging from restaurants and shops to healthcare facilities, arguing that they are not adequately accessible to people with disabilities. The heart of these legal actions lies in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that mandates equal access and prohibits … Read more

Supreme Court Restricts Bankruptcy Shield, Impacting Opioid Settlements and Beyond

by

WASHINGTON — A recent Supreme Court ruling may significantly alter the landscape for using bankruptcy to address widespread litigation. The decision against Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement highlights a shift in how courts handle claims against parties who haven’t filed for bankruptcy themselves. This change could have broad implications for companies facing mass tort litigation. Bankruptcy courts have traditionally offered several tools to aid organizations in resolving these complex lawsuits, which include cases like the large-scale settlements involving the Catholic dioceses and the Boy Scouts of America. These courts can halt ongoing litigation, providing breathing space … Read more