Slaps

Federal Jury Slaps American Express with $12.5 Million Verdict for Unfair Practices Amid Antitrust Claims Dismissal

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NEW YORK — A federal jury has ordered American Express Co. to pay $12.5 million in damages after finding the company engaged in unfair practices under Illinois law, although it was cleared of various antitrust allegations that had also been brought against it. The verdict, delivered on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, stemmed from a protracted legal battle initiated by state consumers. Those consumers challenged certain nondiscrimination clauses present in American Express’s agreements with merchants who accept its credit cards. These provisions specifically prohibit steering practices, which … Read more

Florida Jury Slaps Tesla with $243 Million Penalty in Tragic Autopilot Crash Case

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A Florida jury has ruled that Tesla must pay $243 million in damages following a tragic incident involving its Autopilot feature that resulted in a fatal crash. The verdict was delivered after a lawsuit brought by the family of a man killed in the accident alleged that Tesla’s technology was responsible for his death, highlighting ongoing concerns over the safety and reliability of semi-autonomous driving systems. The case revolved around a 2019 collision in which the driver, who was using the Autopilot function, crashed into a concrete barrier on a highway. Evidence presented in court … Read more

Jury Slaps Gawker Media with $25 Million in Punitive Damages, Reinforcing the Consequences of Privacy Violations

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — A jury has awarded a total of $25 million in punitive damages against Gawker Media and its owner, following a previous judgment of $115 million related to the publication of a private sex tape featuring professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea. The jury announced its decision on Monday, reiterating its stance against the media company for what it deemed reckless behavior. The punitive damages breakdown includes $15 million directed at Gawker Media and $10 million for its owner. This hefty award underscores the jury’s intent to impose severe … Read more

California Jury Slaps Google with $314 Million Verdict for Unauthorized Data Use, Setting Stage for Nationwide Legal Battles

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A jury in San Jose, California, has determined that Google mishandled data from idle Android phones, leading users to incur unexpected cellular costs while the devices remained inactive. The judgment, which amounts to over $314 million, is seen as a significant development in the ongoing concerns surrounding the tech giant’s data privacy practices. The case, initiated in 2019 on behalf of approximately 14 million residents of California, contended that Google’s background data collection for targeted advertising went beyond what an average user would understand or consent to. Plaintiffs argued that this collection resulted in unnecessary … Read more