Former Ohio High School Coaches Sue District Over Alleged ‘Sham’ Settlement in Religious Rights Violation Case

CANTON, Ohio — Former coaches from Canton McKinley High School have initiated legal proceedings, claiming that the school district and its insurance provider orchestrated a settlement in a case that has drawn public attention for its alleged violation of a student’s religious rights. This legal action unfolds amid continuing controversy following the dismissal of the coaches due to an incident involving the forced consumption of food conflicting with a player’s religious beliefs. In June 2021, the head coach Marcus Wattley, along with six assistants, were terminated after accusations surfaced that they had coerced a player … Read more

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

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

Uber and Lyft Agree to $175 Million Settlement with Massachusetts, Commit to Hourly Minimum Pay and Employee Benefits for Drivers

BOSTON — Uber Technologies and Lyft have settled a lawsuit with the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, agreeing on Thursday to upgrade their drivers’ compensation and benefits in a significant shift away from their traditional business models. The companies will now implement a $32.50 hourly minimum wage for their Massachusetts drivers and will pay a combined $175 million to resolve claims they had misclassified workers as independent contractors. Under the terms of this landmark agreement, the rideshare giants will also introduce new benefits for drivers including paid sick leave, accident insurance, and healthcare stipends. … Read more

Philadelphia Reaches Settlement with Gun Parts Manufacturers to Halt Sales of ‘Ghost Guns’ in Effort to Curb Gun Violence

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — In a significant development, two gun parts manufacturers have agreed to temporarily halt sales of their products in Philadelphia and other parts of Pennsylvania. The announcement came as city officials settled their lawsuit against Polymer80 and JSD Supply. The companies were accused of perpetuating gun violence by manufacturing and selling untraceable weapons, commonly known as “ghost guns.” The lawsuit was part of a broader legal effort to restrict the marketing of assemble-at-home guns. According to city officials, Philadelphia filed the suit in July, citing the manufacturers’ reckless business practices that threatened public … Read more