Path

Federal Judge Clears Path for First Execution by Nitrogen Hypoxia in Alabama

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MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A federal judge in Alabama has rejected an inmate’s request to halt his execution scheduled for later this month, potentially making him the first person to be put to death using the untested method of nitrogen hypoxia. Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was convicted of a murder-for-hire plot in 1988, had argued that the state’s current protocol for nitrogen hypoxia violated his constitutional rights due to the risk of a painful death. However, Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. ruled that Smith had not proven that the protocol would cause cruel and unusual punishment, … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Rules Iowa’s “Ag Gag” Laws Constitutional, Clearing the Path for Enforcement

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DES MOINES, Iowa — A federal appeals court has ruled that two of Iowa’s “ag gag” laws, which impose penalties on individuals who trespass on agricultural property with the intention of causing financial harm, are constitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit announced its rulings on Monday, reversing a lower court decision in both cases. A third lawsuit is still pending. The rulings suggest that these state laws may soon become enforceable. However, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs expressed confidence that opponents would prevail upon appeal to the U.S. Supreme … Read more

Exploring the Path to Resolving Mass Torts: A Look into Collective Settlements

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London, UK – Resolving mass torts has become a pressing issue for commercial litigators in both the UK and the US. Whether it involves personal injury cases or the mis-selling of financial products, the question of how to reach a resolution affects various legal specialisms and intersects with numerous business sectors. Settlements can occur at any stage of the proceedings, offering advantages for both claimants and defendants. In the US, where processes for resolving mass torts are more advanced, court approval of class action settlements is required. The court’s role is to assess whether the … Read more

Judge Approves $6 Billion Settlement in 3M Earplug Lawsuits, Clearing Path for Compensation to Veterans

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MIAMI, FL – A $6 billion settlement has been approved by Judge Rodgers in the 3M earplug lawsuits involving service members who claimed the earplugs were defective. The settlement includes a plan to issue $1 billion in unregistered stock as part of the payment. The stock’s value will be determined using a weighted average method commonly used by regulators. An investment manager and adviser will be employed to reduce investment risks as the stock is issued in tranches. In addition to the settlement, 3M has contributed $250 million to the Qualified Settlement Fund, which will … Read more