Settlements

Majority of Lawyers Support Increased Consideration of Domestic Abuse in Divorce Settlements

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Many legal experts advocate for courts to more thoroughly consider issues of domestic abuse during financial rulings in divorce and separation cases. The term “domestic abuse” in these contexts extends beyond physical violence, encompassing exploitative behaviors such as capitalizing on legal delays, withholding financial disclosures, violating court orders, and protracting mediations to exhaust the opposing party. The call for systemic change in handling these cases reflects concerns among legal representatives, particularly those who defend less financially equipped parties. Typically, these clients are women who find themselves financially disadvantaged post-separation. Conversely, lawyers who cater to very … Read more

Supreme Court’s Decision on Purdue Pharma Sets Potential Precedent for Future Mass Tort Settlements

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Washington, D.C. – A recent Supreme Court decision affirming the opioid settlement by Purdue Pharma could set significant precedents for how similar mass tort cases are resolved in the future. The ruling, which supports the pharmaceutical giant’s plan to restructure under bankruptcy protection, encompasses a multi-billion dollar agreement pivotal for communities affected by the opioid epidemic. The contentious approval by the Supreme Court has confirmed Purdue Pharma’s settlement plan, estimated at over $10 billion, which aims to mitigate the public health crisis tied to opioids. This decision not only impacts those directly involved in the … Read more

Federal Court Denies Johnson & Johnson’s Attempt to Use Bankruptcy for Talc Lawsuit Settlements

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Philadelphia, PA — Johnson & Johnson’s strategy to address a massive volume of talc cancer lawsuits through a subsidiary’s bankruptcy hit a roadblock when a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of the bankruptcy filing. This ruling was a significant setback for J&J, which had created LTL Management LLC, a subsidiary, specifically to manage and potentially limit financial liabilities from tens of thousands of claims linking their baby powder and other talc-based products to cancer. J&J had previously argued that the financial burden from the lawsuits could lead to insolvency, claiming liabilities could surpass $21 … Read more

Supreme Court to Determine Insurer’s Role in Bankruptcy Claims Amid Tort Settlements

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WASHINGTON — A pivotal Supreme Court case set for arguments Tuesday could redefine the role of insurance companies in bankruptcy proceedings, with implications stretching across multiple high-stakes tort claims involving billions of dollars. The case, Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., centers on whether insurers can challenge bankruptcy plans if they are required to cover claims under the proposed settlements. Truck Insurance Exchange has hit roadblocks in lower courts, which denied its appeals to object to a reorganization plan by Kaiser Gypsum. The plan in question relates to the settlement of thousands of claims … Read more