Legal news affects our everyday lives, whether we notice it or not. Here’s a summary of a few of this month’s major cases.
Rapid-Fire Bump Stocks Banned Under New Regulation; Lawsuit Filed Same Day
A new regulation banned bump stocks was announced this month. People who own bump stocks must destroy them or turn them in to federal agents within 90 days, the effective date of the final rule. The rule was issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The new rule is contrary to the conclusion the ATF reached in 2010. Three gun-rights groups and a bump stock owner challenged the new regulation in federal court. The suit alleges violations of the second amendment.
Asbestos in Baby Powder is Part of New Legal Front
Corporate documents reveal executives of Johnson & Johnson tried to discredit research showing the possibility of asbestos contamination in small amounts, even as the company considered replacing talc. The company lost three cases this year, including a suit blaming the powder for ovarian cancer in 22 women. They are now in nearly 12,000 cancer lawsuits.
J&J Begins Settling Pinnacle Hip Implant Claims
Johnson & Johnson has begun to settle claims over defective hip implants. According to a federal judge in Texas, about 3,300 of 10,000 claims “have settled or are in the process of settling.’’ The lawsuits were filed against J&J by recipients of the allegedly defective Pinnacle hip implants. The terms of the settlements have remained confidential.
Kellogg Accused of Including Pesticides in Breakfast Bars
Class claims were filed against cereal giant Kellogg Co. in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California alleging that the company’s popular Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars (Strawberry) and Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal contain the probable carcinogen glyphosate. In the complaint, named plaintiff Mason Kein alleges that Kellogg advertises its Nutri-Grain Bars as providing “8g Whole Grains,” “strawberry naturally flavored with other natural flavors,” “made with real fruit,” and contains “no artificial flavors” and “no colors from artificial sources.”
Man Dies After Riding Universal Park Ride, Family Files Suit
Universal is facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who died after riding the park’s King Kong ride in 2016. The man’s death occurred just months after Skull Island: Reign of Kong opened at Universal’s Island of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. The lawsuit, filed last week in Orange Circuit Court, seeks over $15,000 in damages. As alleged in the lawsuit, Universal should have known the ride had “the potential for a cardiovascular incident.”
CVS, Walgreens Face Opioid Lawsuit Filed by Florida
Giant pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens are facing a lawsuit in the state of Florida over the opioid crisis. The lawsuit was filed by state officials against the chains over their alleged contributions to the health crisis. The lawsuit cites the defendants’ “unconscionable efforts to increase the demand and supply of opioids into Florida.” Recently added as defendants in the lawsuit are OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma, Percocet-maker Endo Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical.
Our attorneys at McCoy, Hiestand & Smith strive to keep our community informed so check back with us monthly for a Legal News Update!
