USA Archive - Law Commentary

Echoing Recent SEC Actions in Similar Suits, Music Tech Public Company VNUE, Inc. Sues Power Up Lending Group, LTD. & Curt Kramer in “Toxic” Lender Lawsuit

VNUE, Inc. (OTC: VNUE), a Microcap national music tech innovator, filed a lawsuit in the United States Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York last week against Power Up Lending Group, LTD and founder Curt Kramer. VNUE accuses the plaintiffs of breaking Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)... Read More about Echoing Recent SEC Actions in Similar Suits, Music Tech Public Company VNUE, Inc. Sues Power Up Lending Group, LTD. & Curt Kramer in “Toxic” Lender Lawsuit

A group of individuals, including family members of Henrietta Lacks, walking outside a courthouse, highlighting the ongoing legal battle over Lacks' cells.

Henrietta Lacks Estate Sues Biotech Company over ‘Stolen Cells’

In 1951, a 30-year-old Black woman by the name of Henrietta Lacks walked into Johns Hopkins Hospital for a diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. Today, Lacks’ estate is suing a biotech company for allegedly selling and profiting off of Lacks’ cells that were originally collected at that hospital. Lack’s... Read More about Henrietta Lacks Estate Sues Biotech Company over ‘Stolen Cells’

A package of Ivermectin tablets, labeled for human use, showing the dosage of 3 mg.

Man Whose Wife Sued Ohio Hospital to Force Ivermectin Drug Treatment Dies From COVID-19

The husband of a wife who sued an Ohio hospital for not administering the drug Ivermectin has died. The family’s attorney confirmed that Jeffrey Smith, 51, passed away on September 25 after losing his battle to COVID-19. Smith contracted the virus on July 9, and his condition continued to worsen... Read More about Man Whose Wife Sued Ohio Hospital to Force Ivermectin Drug Treatment Dies From COVID-19

Close-up of spilled white prescription tablets from an orange pill bottle, with various labeled prescription bottles in the background.

Three Pharmaceutical Companies to Pay $447 Million for Generic Drug Price Fixing

As the chances for passage of pharmaceutical pricing and oversight bills fade in Congress and the White House, there is a bit of good news on that front from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Three generic drug makers have agreed to pay $447.2 million to resolve price-fixing allegations related to... Read More about Three Pharmaceutical Companies to Pay $447 Million for Generic Drug Price Fixing

A woman passionately advocating in a crowd, holding a beverage and greeting supporters.

California Legislature Passes “Silenced No More Act,” Voiding NDAs in Harassment and Discrimination Cases

On August 30, 2021, the California legislature passed the Silenced No More Act, which allows employees who have experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace to speak out even if they have reached a settlement with their employer concerning their allegations. Governor Newsom signed the bill into law late last... Read More about California Legislature Passes “Silenced No More Act,” Voiding NDAs in Harassment and Discrimination Cases

Former NBA player on the court in a game.

19 Former NBA Players Charged in Massive Health Care Fraud

Over a dozen former basketball players have been accused of health care fraud as it relates to the National Basketball Association’s health care fund. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Audrey Strauss, announced the charges Thursday against 18 former basketball players and the spouse of a... Read More about 19 Former NBA Players Charged in Massive Health Care Fraud

A man wearing an arm brace while typing on a keyboard.

California Man Earns $450K while Collecting over $50k in Workers’ Compensation

A California man has been arraigned for alleged insurance fraud and perjury after he claimed to have received cumulative trauma received on the job. Frank Simplicio, 45, of Porter Ranch is accused of collecting workers’ compensation disability benefits after he claimed he was unable to continue his work as a... Read More about California Man Earns $450K while Collecting over $50k in Workers’ Compensation

Frances Haugen testifying before a Senate committee about Facebook's impact on teens and the need for transparency in social media platforms.

Leaking Internal Documents to WSJ, Facebook Insider Tells Senate Committee to Dig Deeper into Legal Liabilities for Algorithm-Driven Published Content

A Facebook former product manager, Frances Haugen, an insider-turned whistleblower, spoke at the Senate hearing created to “protect kids online.” The discussion focused on social media and its impact upon everyday teenagers, who have been exposed to hateful posts and misinformation on numerous platforms, on Facebook, Instagram, and more. Haugen... Read More about Leaking Internal Documents to WSJ, Facebook Insider Tells Senate Committee to Dig Deeper into Legal Liabilities for Algorithm-Driven Published Content

A house engulfed in flames during the Zogg Fire in Northern California.

PG&E Charged with Manslaughter for Role in 2020 Zogg Fire

Pacific Gas & Electric, the nation’s largest utility, is facing 31 charges including 11 felonies and manslaughter after their equipment sparked a wildfire in Northern California last year. The wildfire claimed the lives of four victims as they tried to escape the blaze. The victims ranged in ages from eight... Read More about PG&E Charged with Manslaughter for Role in 2020 Zogg Fire

Protesters in wedding gowns and chains gather at the Massachusetts State House to advocate against child marriage laws.

Protesters in Wedding Gowns and Chains Seek to Change Massachusetts Child Marriage Law

Dressed in wedding gowns and chains, and carrying bouquets and signs, a group of protesters gathered at the Massachusetts State House last month to protest laws that allow girls in the Commonwealth to marry when they are just 12 years old if their parents give permission. Anti-child marriage activists believe... Read More about Protesters in Wedding Gowns and Chains Seek to Change Massachusetts Child Marriage Law

Close-up of a person's hand using a laptop keyboard while holding a credit card.

Unruh Civil Rights Act Plaintiffs Must Intend to Use Services Offered by Companies They Sue

The Unruh Civil Rights Act (UCRA) became law in California in 1959. Along with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it prohibits access discrimination, prohibits discriminatory conduct by businesses against people with disabilities, and gives them the same rights and opportunities as those who are lucky enough to participate... Read More about Unruh Civil Rights Act Plaintiffs Must Intend to Use Services Offered by Companies They Sue

A diverse jury seated in a courtroom, observing a trial.

Murder Conviction Reversed Because Juror Was Excluded for Expressing Support of Black Lives Matter

Three black defendants, two brothers and their cousin, were convicted of murdering two persons of the same race in a gang-related confrontation about allegedly stolen guns in 2012. Now, they will get a new trial because one of their potential jurors was improperly excluded from service after expressing support for... Read More about Murder Conviction Reversed Because Juror Was Excluded for Expressing Support of Black Lives Matter

An injured construction worker with a bandaged knee, assisted by another individual on a worksite.

Statutes of Limitations in Personal Injury Civil Lawsuits – What Are They?

The “statute of limitations” is the time limit within which a legal claim must be filed. Nearly every type of legal claim, both civil and criminal, has a statute of limitations. The specific time frame varies by type of claim, the nature of the parties, and the state in which... Read More about Statutes of Limitations in Personal Injury Civil Lawsuits – What Are They?

Two surgeons performing a medical procedure in an operating room.

Orlando Cardiologist to Pay $6.75 Million after Performing Medically Unnecessary Procedures

An Orlando cardiologist has been ordered to pay $6.75 million to resolve allegations that he knowingly performed unnecessary medical procedures. Dr. Ashish Pal was accused of violating the False Claims Act after he knowingly submitted false claims to federal health care programs for medically unnecessary ablations and vein stent procedures,... Read More about Orlando Cardiologist to Pay $6.75 Million after Performing Medically Unnecessary Procedures

A woman speaking into a microphone while gesturing, with a focus on student loan issues.

Proposed Senate Bill Offers Student Loan Borrowers a Path Forward Through Bankruptcy

Student debt trails mortgages as the biggest type of debt a consumer can take on in their life. As a nation, borrowers owe a collective $1.57 trillion in student loan debt, with the average borrower owing roughly $38,000. While the student debt crisis has crippled many, there has been a... Read More about Proposed Senate Bill Offers Student Loan Borrowers a Path Forward Through Bankruptcy