USA Archive - Law Commentary

A construction worker receiving emergency assistance on the ground, with safety gear and a medical kit nearby.

New York Expands Criminal Corporate Liability for Workplace Death and Injury

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed “Carlos’ Law,” a bill establishing more severe criminal liability for corporations that cause serious injury or death to their employees through lax safety standards and other negligent or reckless conduct. The legislation is aimed at stemming the increase in construction worker fatalities in New York... Read More about New York Expands Criminal Corporate Liability for Workplace Death and Injury

U.S. Sues Rite Aid for Actions That Contributed to Opioid Crisis

Nearly 108,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2021. Back in 2017, the federal government declared opioids a public health emergency. But the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) is still reporting that 136 people are overdosing and dying each day. Calling pharmacies “critical gatekeepers against the unlawful dispensing... Read More about U.S. Sues Rite Aid for Actions That Contributed to Opioid Crisis

Interior view of a large church with ornate architecture, stained glass windows, and rows of empty pews.

Catholic Charities of Omaha Employee Files Lawsuit After Unannounced Active Shooter Drill Leaves her Injured

Sandra Lopez, an employee of the Catholic Charities of Omaha, Nebraska, has filed a lawsuit against her employer after she says she suffered emotional and physical injuries during an unannounced active shooting drill. Lopez alleges that company administrators did not warn her or other employees that an active shooter drill... Read More about Catholic Charities of Omaha Employee Files Lawsuit After Unannounced Active Shooter Drill Leaves her Injured

A person sitting on the ground with a sign that reads about being homeless and asking for help, surrounded by papers and belongings.

Alabama Judge Rules State Panhandling Laws Unconstitutional

An Alabama federal judge has struck down state laws against panhandling, citing that the laws are unconstitutional. After the ruling, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency conceded that such laws were a violation of an individual's Constitutional right to free speech, ending a 2020 lawsuit. The preliminary injunction was handed down... Read More about Alabama Judge Rules State Panhandling Laws Unconstitutional

A film set with robotic filming equipment and lighting in the background.

Rust Producers Agree to $100k OSHA Settlement After Fatal Shooting

Alec Baldwin’s criminal prosecution is not the only fallout from the fatal shooting that occurred on the New Mexico set of the upcoming film Rust. The film’s producers face OSHA citations for rampant safety violations that culminated in the fatal accident. The producers recently reached a settlement with the state... Read More about Rust Producers Agree to $100k OSHA Settlement After Fatal Shooting

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at an event, discussing recent legislation on education.

DeSantis signs bill limiting LGBTQ talk in school and opens door to civil lawsuits by parents of children who believe the law was violated, even by third parties

Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1557, Parental Rights in Education, which impacts children from kindergarten to third grade. The bill follows on the heels of Florida’s 2022 Parents’ Bill of Rights. The controversial new law goes above and beyond classroom instruction, however. According to a press... Read More about DeSantis signs bill limiting LGBTQ talk in school and opens door to civil lawsuits by parents of children who believe the law was violated, even by third parties

A person in a suit holding a calculator next to a small house model on a desk, with another person's hands visible in the foreground, indicating a discussion about home appraisal.

California Couple Who Received Higher Home Appraisal After ‘Whitewashing’ Their Home Wins Settlement

A California couple who experienced racial discrimination when trying to appraise the value of their home has reached a settlement agreement for an undisclosed amount. Tenisha Tate-Austin and Paul Austin, a Black family living in Marin City, California, made national headlines in 2021 after they shared a perplexing experience involving... Read More about California Couple Who Received Higher Home Appraisal After ‘Whitewashing’ Their Home Wins Settlement

A person holding a smartphone while sitting on a couch.

Self-Proclaimed “Robot Lawyer” App DoNotPay Accused of Posing as an Unlicensed Lawyer

DoNotPay Inc, the maker of a one-of-a-kind legal service dubbed “The world's first robot lawyer,” is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the service of providing legal information without having proper legal credentials. The lawsuit argues that DoNotPay is in violation of California's unfair competition laws because it... Read More about Self-Proclaimed “Robot Lawyer” App DoNotPay Accused of Posing as an Unlicensed Lawyer

A close-up view of payroll documents, including a weekly time sheet and a calculator, highlighting issues related to a payroll system switch.

Oregon Employees File Second Lawsuit Over Disastrous Payroll System Switch

Oregon state employees have filed a second lawsuit over incorrect paychecks following the state’s implementation of a new payroll system. Oregon state workers first filed a lawsuit in January after receiving paychecks that reflected incorrect balances. Overpayment, underpayment, and incorrect deductions were just some of the payment issues recorded. The... Read More about Oregon Employees File Second Lawsuit Over Disastrous Payroll System Switch

Assorted blister packs of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including tablets and capsules.

Generic Drugs Must Follow Federal Rules for Sameness Labeling, But What if Ingredients Change?

For years, heartburn sufferers have taken Zantac, a popular over-the-counter (OTC) drug, to prevent or relieve their symptoms. Zantac was the brand name of the drug ranitidine. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that ranitidine contained N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), an ingredient that could cause cancer under certain storage... Read More about Generic Drugs Must Follow Federal Rules for Sameness Labeling, But What if Ingredients Change?

Seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) displayed on the entrance of its building.

FBI May Keep Secrets About Its Twitter Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requested information from Twitter about some of its users. It said the information was needed for it to properly conduct one of its “classified national security investigations.” Twitter did not want to provide it and claimed the FBI was infringing on its First Amendment... Read More about FBI May Keep Secrets About Its Twitter Investigation

Walgreens storefront with signage indicating pharmacy and general retail services.

California Will Not Renew $54 Million Contract With Walgreens Amid Battle Over Abortion Access

California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced earlier this week that the state would not renew its $54 million contract with Walgreens after the company announced it would adhere to a request made by Republican states to stop the sale of abortion medications including Mifepristone. Governor Newsom announced the news via... Read More about California Will Not Renew $54 Million Contract With Walgreens Amid Battle Over Abortion Access

Alex Murdaugh sitting at a table with his legal team during his trial.

Should Alex Murdaugh Have Testified?

A week before attorney Alex Murdgaugh was convicted of murdering his family and sentenced to life in prison, he took the stand in his defense. Did that testimony help his case, or seal his fate? Should criminal defendants normally testify on their own behalf? On March 2, a jury found... Read More about Should Alex Murdaugh Have Testified?

Wells Fargo bank sign in front of a modern building.

Wells Fargo Agrees to $3.75M Settlement in Connection to Equitybuild Ponzi Scheme

Wells Fargo Bank has agreed to pay $3.75 million to end a class action lawsuit that accused it of helping facilitate a Ponzi scheme executed by a real estate investment company, Equitybuild Finance. Settlement funds will be paid out to individuals who invested in Equitybuild but lost money in their... Read More about Wells Fargo Agrees to $3.75M Settlement in Connection to Equitybuild Ponzi Scheme

Image of a JUUL vaping device alongside flavored vape pods on a dark surface.

Indiana’s Kokomo Schools to Receive $90K Settlement from Juul Deceptive Marketing Suit

After joining a national class action lawsuit against vaping giant Juul, Indiana’s Kokomo School Corporation is set to receive $90,475 in settlement funds. The final amount will be less after attorneys fees are calculated. Kokomo School Corporation became the second Howard County School district to join the national lawsuit that... Read More about Indiana’s Kokomo Schools to Receive $90K Settlement from Juul Deceptive Marketing Suit