Case Filings Alert™ reports on new cases filed in courts around the country, alerting you to significant new cases at the beginning of the litigation process, long before the case is settled or a decision handed down. For each case reported on, the full complaint and docket information are included, so you will be able to follow the case as it works its way through the litigation process and obtain documents filed in the case.
Case Filings Alert covers a wide range of civil litigation subjects including: antitrust/unfair trade, constitution, consumer fraud, cybersecurity, data privacy, environment, intellectual property, labor & employment, personal injury/product liability, securities, among others.
Editor: Robert S. Want (rwant@CaseFilingsAlert.com). Copyright © 2025 WANT Publishing Co. Other services include NationsCourts.com (comprehensive guide to the nation’s federal, state, and county courts), MDLCases.com (introduction to multidistrict litigation, and listing of pending MDL cases), and LegalEditor.com (editing, writing and proofreading services).
April 3, 2025 – Privacy
Trinity Broadcasting Faces Lawsuit Over Facebook Data-Sharing
A proposed class action accuses Christian TV channel Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN+) of unlawfully sharing subscribers’ viewing data with Meta Platforms Inc., in violation of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
Plaintiffs allege in their lawsuit that TBN+ disclosed personally identifiable information to Meta whenever users watched videos on its streaming site, TBNplus.com. This information, plaintiffs say, included “Facebook IDs, names, email addresses, and URLs that contain the titles of the videos watched,” transmitted through Meta’s Pixel and Conversions API technologies.
According to the complaint filed in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., these data transmissions allowed Meta to identify the audiovisual materials TBN+ subscribers request, thereby enabling detailed advertising profiling. This sharing occurred without users’ informed consent, plaintiffs contend, violating VPPA protections designed to prevent the disclosure of consumer viewing habits.
April 2, 2025 – Labor & Employment
BlackRock Ex-Employee Sues Over Monitoring of Brokerage Accounts
A proposed class action filed in Manhattan federal court alleges that Investment-management company BlackRock Inc. illegally monitored the financial accounts of former employees after they had left the company.
In his lawsuit, plaintiff claims that BlackRock monitored his personal stock-trading accounts for more than a year after the company laid him off, in violation of state and federal privacy laws and in breach of the company’s personal trading policy.
Blackrock also monitored the accounts of plaintiff’s wife and his minor daughter after his separation from the company, according to the complaint, which says that more than 40 former employees’ accounts were improperly surveilled. Plaintiff seeks damages including financial harm, emotional distress, and aggravated health conditions, claiming BlackRock’s actions were deliberate and in bad faith.
April 1, 2025 – Antitrust
Tennis Players Group Accuses ‘Cartel’ Tours of Antitrust Violations
The Professional Tennis Players Association, whose members include Novak Djokovic, has filed a proposed class action against the ATP (men’s) Tour, the WTA (women’s) Tour, and the International Tennis Federation (organizer of Grand Slams), alleging widespread antitrust violations that restrict players’ earnings and career opportunities.
Filed in Manhattan federal court, the lawsuit claims that defendants operate as a “cartel” that “fixes player earnings, imposes restrictive contracts, and enforces arbitrary disciplinary actions” to maintain control over professional tennis. “Players are forced to endure grueling schedules, capped earnings, and limited control over their careers and brands,” the complaint states.
Plaintiffs argue in their suit that the governing bodies manipulate ranking points, impose non-compete agreements, and prevent players from independently negotiating sponsorships. The suit also highlights “aggressive and invasive” disciplinary actions, including frequent drug tests and phone searches, which players say are used to maintain control over them. The players seek financial damages and structural changes in professional tennis governance to create a more competitive and equitable operation.
March 31, 2025 – Constitution
Air Force Sergeants Sue Over Transgender Military Ban
Two transgender Air Force sergeants have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service, arguing it violates their constitutional rights.
Plaintiffs, both decorated service members, allege in their suit that the January 2025 executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military forces them to choose between their gender identity (male) and their careers. “It is not possible for either Plaintiff to serve as a woman because each one has medically transitioned to be and live as a man,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, names Secretary of Defense Peter B. Hegseth, the Department of Defense, and the Air Force among the defendants. The plaintiffs claim the policy violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fifth Amendment, as it singles out transgender service members for “unequal, harmful, and demeaning treatment.”
March 28, 2025 – Product Liability
Amazon Sues Consumer Product Safety Comm’n Over Recall Order
Amazon.com Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), alleging the agency overstepped its authority by ordering the company to conduct a recall of hazardous third-party products sold through its platform.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Greenbelt, Md., challenges the CPSC’s assertion that Amazon qualifies as a “distributor” under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Amazon argues that it merely provides “logistics services” for independent sellers and does not take ownership of their products. “The Commission overstepped those statutory limits by ordering Amazon to conduct a wide-ranging recall of products that were manufactured, owned, and sold by third parties,” Amazon argues in its suit.
According to the complaint, Amazon had already taken voluntary action in response to CPSC concerns about certain hair dryers, carbon monoxide detectors, and children’s sleepwear sold by third-party sellers. The company claims it blocked sales, destroyed remaining inventory, notified all purchasers, and issued full refunds — measures it says met the agency’s standard for a “100% effective” recall. Despite these actions, the complaint adds, the CPSC is pursuing legal action to compel Amazon to conduct a broader recall on agency terms.
March 27, 2025 – ERISA
Ochsner Clinic Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged 401(k) Mismanagement
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, a prominent Louisiana-based healthcare system, mismanages its 401(k) plan by using money forfeited by departing workers for its own benefit, alleges a proposed class action filed in New Orleans federal court.
In their lawsuit, plaintiffs claim that Ochsner and its Retirement Benefits Committee improperly used forfeited funds from the Ochsner Clinic Foundation 401(k) Plan to offset the company’s own contribution obligations rather than in the best interests of plan participants. This practice, plaintiffs argue, violates the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which mandates that fiduciaries act “solely in the interest of participants” and with the “care, skill, prudence, and diligence” required by law.
Ochsner diverted millions of dollars in forfeited plan assets over multiple years to reduce its own contribution costs while failing to use those funds to cover administrative expenses or redistribute them to employees’ accounts, according to the complaint. “Instead of loyally and prudently acting in the best interest of Plan participants,” the complaint says, “Defendants chose to use Plan assets almost exclusively to benefit Ochsner.”
March 26, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Lawsuit Alleges False Advertising re Rachael Ray Pet Food
A proposed class action alleges that Post Consumer Brands LLC falsely advertises its Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food as free of artificial preservatives, despite containing citric acid.
In his lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court, plaintiff claims that the company misled consumers by labeling its products as “natural” and “preservative-free” while including citric acid, which acts as an artificial preservative.
Plaintiff argues that consumers were deceived into paying a premium for pet food under the impression that it was free from artificial ingredients. In its false advertising, plaintiff contends, Post Consumer Brands gained an unfair competitive advantage over other companies that properly disclose preservatives. The case seeks monetary compensation for consumers who purchased the products, along with an injunction requiring the company to change its labeling and advertising practices.
March 25, 2025 – Product Liability
Girl Scout Cookies Contain Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Lawsuit Claims
The Girl Scouts face a proposed class action filed in Brooklyn federal court claiming the presence of “heavy metals” and pesticides in its popular Thin Mints and other cookies.
The lawsuit cited a December 2024 study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America that tested samples of 25 cookies from three U.S. states. The study, according to the complaint, found that Girl Scout cookies contained at least four of five heavy metals — aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury — that can harm people’s health and the environment, often at levels exceeding regulators’ recommended limits. The study also said all samples contained glyphosate, a pesticide used in some weed killers.
Plaintiff in her suit says she bought numerous Girl Scout products believing they were “quality and safe cookies.” She said she would not have bought the cookies or would have paid substantially less had Girl Scouts disclosed the presence of dangerous toxins. “While the entire sales practice system for Girl Scout Cookies is built on a foundation of ethics and teaching young girls sustainable business practices, defendants failed to uphold this standard themselves,” the complaint says.
March 24, 2025 – Immigration
Washington State Sues County for Assisting Federal Immigration Agents
The state of Washington has sued one of its counties, accusing the local sheriff’s office of violating a state law that limits local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
In 2019, Washington legislators passed the Keep Washington Working Act, according to the state’s lawsuit filed in Spokane County Superior Court. The law, the complaint says, establishes that it is not up to local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and restricts the extent to which state, county, and local police can assist federal immigration officers.
Washington says in its suit that Adams County has been unlawfully holding people in custody based on their immigration status and transferred those people to federal immigration agents to be questioned since 2022. The county’s economy, the suit says, is dominated by agriculture, and those operations rely on the labor of non-citizens. Sheriff’s deputies have also illegally shared with state officials the names and personal information, including fingerprints and home addresses, of hundreds of residents, the state asserts.
March 21, 2025 – Securities
SEC Charges Former Biopharmaceutical VP with Insider Trading
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil complaint in San Diego federal court against George Demos, a former VP at Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., for insider trading in advance of Acadia’s March 2021 announcement of negative news from the FDA regarding Acadia’s supplemental new drug application seeking approval of its Parkinson’s disease psychosis drug.
Demos, former vice president of drug safety at Acadia, sold off more than 60,000 of his nearly 65,000 total option shares one day before the FDA-related announcement and a 45% stock drop, the SEC claims in its lawsuit.
The SEC, saying Demos avoided losses of about $1.3 million, charges defendant with insider trading in violation of the Securities Exchange Act. Without denying the SEC’s allegations, Demos has consented to entry of a judgment permanently enjoining him from violating the charged provisions and prohibiting him from serving as an officer or director of a public company for five years. Further, the court will determine whether a civil penalty is appropriate and, if so, the amount of the penalty.
March 20, 2025 – Product Liability
Fort Worth Sues 3M, DuPont, Military Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water
The city of Fort Worth has filed a lawsuit against 3M, DuPont, and other chemical manufacturers, alleging that decades of pollution from toxic “forever chemicals” have contaminated the city’s water supply.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Fort Worth (Texas), accuses 3M and other companies of knowingly manufacturing and distributing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — known as “forever chemicals” — while failing to warn the public of their dangers. The suit also names the U.S. Department of Defense, Navy, and Air Force, citing their use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam at military sites, including Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
“Defendants knew that PFAS and related constituents present unreasonable risks to human health, water quality, and the environment,” the complaint states. Despite this, the chemicals were used and disposed of without proper containment, leading to widespread contamination of drinking water, stormwater systems, and surrounding land, the city alleges.
March 19, 2025 – Cybersecurity
New York Says Allstate Security Lapses Led to Data Breach
New York state has filed a civil action against Allstate Insurance Co., accusing the company’s National General unit of failing to report a data breach that exposed drivers’ license numbers and that lacked reasonable safeguards to protect drivers’ private information.
The lawsuit, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James in state court in Manhattan, charges that National General’s poor data security led to back-to-back breaches in 2020 and 2021, when hackers targeting its online auto insurance quoting tools accessed license numbers of more than 165,000 New Yorkers and 199,000 people overall.
National General, according to the complaint, did not notify drivers or New York state agencies about the first breach, which occurred between August and November 2020, and needed three months to uncover the much larger second breach in January 2021. These lapses, the complaint says, violated the state’s Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act for failing to protect customer information, and also violated state consumer protection laws by misleading customers about the company’s data security practices.
March 18, 2025 – Privacy
Lawsuit Claims Aven Financial Accessed Credit Reports Without Permission
A proposed class action filed in San Diego federal court accuses Aven Financial Inc. of illegally obtaining consumers’ credit reports without authorization.
Plaintiff alleges in her lawsuit that finance company Aven initiated a “hard inquiry” (request from lender to see consumer’s credit report) after the company opened a home equity line of credit in her name without consent. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), according to the complaint, a consumer’s credit report may only be accessed with his or her written consent, or for certain “permissible purposes,” including in connection with credit transactions involving “the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer.” At no point, the complaint says, did plaintiff apply for Aven’s home equity-backed credit card or authorize the defendant to access her credit reports.
The complaint states that plaintiff uses the defendant’s mobile app, Aven Advisor: Credit Check App, which offers a weekly Starbucks gift card for users who maintain a credit score above 800. Within minutes after plaintiff attempted to redeem the gift card in February 2025, the complaint says, she received an alert from credit reporting company Experian of a new hard inquiry on her credit report. “[Aven’s] conduct demonstrates an intrusion of highly personal information in violation of the FCRA,” plaintiff argues.
March 17, 2025 – Product Liability
Auto Maker Stellantis Faces Suit Over Alleged Jeep Hybrid Battery Defect
A proposed class action has been filed in Detroit federal court against Stellantis North America, claiming that certain Jeep plug-in hybrid vehicles contain a battery defect that increases the risk of fire.
The lawsuit asserts that the high-voltage batteries in 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models are prone to “separator damage,” which can cause overheating and fire hazards. The defect has prompted two recalls, the complaint notes, which expanded the number of affected vehicles to over 154,000.
Stellantis was aware of the defect, the complaint argues, but failed to properly warn customers. After the recalls, owners were advised by defendant to “park outside and away from structures” and “not to recharge their vehicles” due to the risk of fire, effectively rendering the hybrid function useless. Plaintiffs say in their suit that this defeats the purpose of a plug-in hybrid vehicle and diminishes the vehicle’s value.
March 14, 2025 – Securities
Leadership of US Cellular Owner Sued for Misleading Promotion Claims
Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) officers misled investors about the success of subsidiary US Cellular Corp.’s promotion to combat client attrition, a shareholder alleges in her stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in Chicago federal court.
Plaintiff contends in her suit that company leaders misled investors about the financial impact of a 2022 promotional campaign by its subsidiary US Cellular. The executives provided a “false timeline” on expected benefits and downplayed financial risks, leading to stock price losses, plaintiff asserts.
The suit highlights the company’s $28 million increase in equipment losses and declining net income, which fell to negative $25 million in Q3 2022. “Defendants falsely represented satisfaction with the Promotion,” the complaint states, citing alleged misstatements during earnings calls. Plaintiff further claims that TDS repurchased over 1.5 million shares of stock at artificially inflated prices, costing more than $24 million.
March 13, 2025 – Intellectual Property
Adidas Says Its ‘Iconic’ 3-Stripe Mark Infringed by Nova Fashion
Adidas America Inc. has sued retailer Fashion Nova LLC over its use of plaintiff’s “iconic” three-stripe mark, accusing defendant of breaching a 2022 settlement from a previous trademark suit.
In that settlement, Fashion Nova promised not to sell “anything confusingly similar to the Three-Stripe Mark” after Adidas sued in 2019, according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court. But Fashion Nova is selling products with stripe designs “nearly identical” to those on products it said it would discontinue in the prior settlement agreement, Adidas claims.
The lawsuit says that Fashion Nova’s actions are “irreparably harming Adidas” by misleading consumers and damaging the brand’s reputation. Adidas is seeking a permanent injunction, financial damages, and an order requiring Fashion Nova to cease selling the disputed products. “Fashion Nova’s willful infringement deprives Adidas of control over its brand and quality standards,” Adidas argues in its complaint.
March 12, 2025 – Product Liability
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Links Fatal Endometrial Cancer to Hair Straightener Use
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Chicago federal court against major hair product manufacturers, alleging their chemical relaxers caused a woman’s fatal cancer.
The suit claims that prolonged use of hair relaxers manufactured by L’Oréal USA, SoftSheen-Carson, Namaste Laboratories, and others led to decedent’s diagnosis of endometrial cancer. According to the complaint, she used the products from 2001 to 2017 before being diagnosed in 2022.
The companies were negligent, the complaint says, in failing to warn consumers about the risks associated with their products. The current suit is part of a larger multidistrict litigation (MDL #3060) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiff seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive measures against the manufacturers.
March 11, 2025 – Antitrust
US Hospitals Accused of Fixing Wages of Pharmacy Residents
A proposed class action accuses major U.S. hospital systems and a professional association for pharmacists of conspiring to restrict recruitment, hiring, and compensation for resident pharmacists seeking advanced training.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Greenbelt, Md., by two former resident pharmacists against Johns Hopkins Hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and several other hospital systems. The suit also named as a defendant the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which sets the rules for a matching program that connects resident pharmacists to hospitals and other medical providers.
In their suit, plaintiffs allege that defendants are violating antitrust law by using the matching program to keep compensation low and restrict the ability of residents to move from one program to another. Hospitals and pharmacy organizations exchange “competitively sensitive compensation information,” plaintiffs assert, and limit the number of residency positions to ensure a surplus of applicants. The average salary for a pharmacy resident is $50,000 to $60,000 compared to more than $100,000 that a non-resident pharmacist can make, plaintiffs say.
March 10, 2025 – Breach of Contract
GEICO Fails to Honor ‘Accident Forgiveness’ Policy, Lawsuit Claims
Insurance company GEICO has failed to honor its “accident forgiveness” policy, which promises customers that their insurance premiums will not increase as a result of their first at-fault accident, alleges a proposed class action filed in Dallas federal court.
Instead of complying with its policy, according to the complaint, the company unlawfully disguises premium increases for customers with accident forgiveness coverage as “surcharges” or other misleading terms following an insured’s first at-fault accident. GEICO offers accident forgiveness coverage to customers who have been insured by the company for at least five years and have clean driving records, the complaint says.
In his lawsuit, plaintiff says he received a policy renewal letter from GEICO one month after his wife got into a fender bender accident for which she was at fault — the couple’s first at-fault crash. The policy renewal letter, plaintiff says, notified him that his premium had risen from $1,392 to $2,663, an increase of 91.3 percent. After contacting GEICO for an explanation, plaintiff asserts he was told that the company had not increased his premium but had “merely applied a surcharge.”
March 7, 2025 – Labor & Employment
Women’s Trade Group Challenges Admin’s Attempt to End Diversity in Hiring
Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), a nonprofit advocating for women in skilled trades, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging recent executive orders that eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government-funded initiatives.
The suit filed in Chicago federal court argues that Executive Orders signed by President Trump in January 2025 “brazenly seek to eliminate any efforts to promote diversity, equity, or inclusion” in hiring practices. CWIT alleges that the orders threaten its federally funded programs that help women enter and remain in skilled trades.
The executive orders, according to the complaint, direct federal agencies to terminate “equity-related” contracts and grants, require contractors to certify they do not operate DEI programs, and encourage the Department of Justice to investigate private organizations promoting DEI. “These executive orders unlawfully trample on CWIT’s free speech and due process rights,” the complaint states, calling the measures “unconstitutional” and an abuse of executive power.
March 6, 2025 – Product Liability
Lawsuit Alleges Ozempic and Trulicity Caused Severe Health Complications
Plaintiff has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, claiming the diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Trulicity caused her to develop severe and permanent injuries, including gastroparesis, a condition that paralyzes the stomach.
In her suit filed in Philadelphia federal court, plaintiff claims that her use of these medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, from 2021 to 2023 resulted in debilitating health issues, including severe nausea, vomiting, and the need for emergency medical treatment. The drug manufacturers, plaintiff asserts, failed to warn consumers about the risk of gastroparesis, a condition has no cure.
The complaint argues that Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly aggressively marketed their GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs while failing to disclose serious risks. Though the companies acknowledged common gastrointestinal side effects, the complaint says, defendants omitted warnings about the potential for severe and long-term complications. The complaint notes that the case is part of broader litigation that has been consolidated for pretrial proceedings (Multidistrict Litigation #3094).
March 5, 2025 – Privacy
Bloomingdales.com Unlawfully Shares Data With TikTok, Lawsuit Claims
Bloomingdales.com LLC used online surveillance technology from TikTok Inc. to collect the sensitive information of website visitors without their consent in violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), alleges a proposed class action filed in Los Angeles federal court.
According to the complaint, Bloomingdale’s installed a TikTok-supplied surveillance pixel on the Bloomingdale website. The surveillance pixel, the complaint says, is a snippet of code that operates as a “trap-and-trace device” that collects the dialing, routing, addressing, and signaling information generated by users and transmits this information to TikTok.
The CIPA, the complaint says, imposes civil liability for the installation of trap-and-trace software without consent or a court order. Plaintiff claims in her lawsuit that Bloomingdale’s website deployed TikTok’s tracking pixel, which collects users’ device and browser information, geographic location, and browsing activities upon visiting the site. The software operates, plaintiff says, “before users have a chance to accept cookies or otherwise grant consent” and sends this data to TikTok, including personal identifiers like names and phone numbers.
March 4, 2025 – Environment
Farmers and Advocacy Groups Sue Agriculture Dep’t Over Climate Data Purge
Three environmental organizations are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), alleging the agency unlawfully removed climate-related data and resources from its websites, harming farmers, researchers, and the public.
Plaintiffs, including the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Working Group, filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, claiming that the USDA’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Plaintiffs assert that USDA’s actions were “arbitrary, capricious, and not in accordance with law” under the APA and failed to provide adequate notice as required by the PRA.
Without access to the removed webpages, technical service providers are unable to connect participating farmers with resources explaining how to fund, implement, and measure climate-smart practices,” the complaint states, also noting the broader impact on researchers and advocates who rely on USDA data to study climate change and advocate for sustainable agriculture and forest conservation.
March 3, 2025 – Constitution
AP Sues White House Over ‘Gulf of America’ Press Access Ban
The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against the White House, alleging violations of the First and Fifth Amendments after AP reporters were barred from press pool events for refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims that the White House acted in retaliation after the AP declined to adopt the government’s preferred terminology following President Trump’s January 2025 executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico. According to the complaint, the AP maintained its practice of using the Gulf of Mexico, citing its commitment to “ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”
The AP asserts in its suit that the ban violates both the First Amendment’s protection against government interference with free speech and the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause. The organization seeks an immediate end to the ban, restoration of its press access, and a declaration that the White House’s actions were unconstitutional.
February 28, 2025 – Intellectual Property
Netflix Accused by Pepperdine of Trademark Infringement Over Comedy Series
Pepperdine University has sued Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery in Los Angeles federal court, claiming their new comedy series, Running Point, about a Los Angeles pro basketball team called the Waves, violates the school’s trademarks.
In its lawsuit, Pepperdine alleges that the logo and blue-and-orange branding used for the show’s Waves are “strikingly similar” to the Pepperdine Waves, which has played NCAA basketball in the Los Angeles area for over 85 years. Pepperdine further notes that the school and show’s mascot both wear the number 37, that number representing 1937, the year the university was founded.
The suit asserts that Pepperdine, as a Christian university, would be “irreparably harmed” by being associated with the show, whose trailer includes cursing and references to sex, alcohol, and illegal drug use. “Pepperdine does not want any affiliation or association with the ‘Waves’ featured in Running Point,” the complaint says, arguing that the similarities have already caused confusion among viewers.
February 27, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Pheromone Perfume Makers Sued for ‘Scientifically False’ Advertising
A California woman has filed a proposed class action against the makers of Pure Instinct pheromone perfumes, alleging that defendants’ claims of attracting others through pheromones are scientifically false and misleading.
Plaintiff contends in her lawsuit that defendants misrepresented their products, which are marketed as containing “human-compatible pheromones” that can influence and attract others. According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court, “humans do not emit and cannot detect pheromones, since humans lack a functioning vomeronasal organ,” rendering the products ineffective.
Scientific studies cited in the suit indicate that the vomeronasal organ in humans is nonfunctional and cannot detect pheromones. The complaint references research showing that androstadienone and copulin — chemicals marketed as pheromones —have “no significant effect” on human attraction. It also points to FDA regulations that classify products claiming to enhance sexual desire as unapproved aphrodisiacs.
February 26, 2025 – Antitrust
Uber Sues DoorDash, Alleging Anticompetitive Practices in Food Delivery
Uber Technologies Inc. has filed a lawsuit against DoorDash Inc. in San Francisco Superior Court, accusing its rival of using coercive tactics to suppress competition in the food delivery market.
Uber claims in its suit that DoorDash, which dominates food delivery through its app, has been forcing restaurants into exclusive contracts for deliveries via its “Drive On-Demand” service. According to the complaint, DoorDash threatens “multimillion-dollar penalties” or demotion from search results on its app if restaurants partner with Uber Direct, Uber’s competing delivery service.
The complaint details multiple instances where major restaurant brands abandoned or canceled agreements with Uber due to DoorDash’s pressure. One restaurant group allegedly ended a successful Uber Direct partnership after DoorDash threatened to remove it from the DoorDash platform. Uber states that these tactics have caused it “millions of dollars in lost revenue” and damaged competition in the market.
February 25, 2025 – Breach of Contract
Zillow Accused of Charging Realtors Even After Listings Removed
A New York real estate group has filed a proposed class action against real estate website Zillow, alleging the company charged fees for property listings that were later removed from public view while continuing to collect payments.
Filed in Seattle federal court, the lawsuit claims that Zillow’s subsidiary StreetEasy “charged a daily fee in exchange for posting real estate listings” but later “masked or otherwise removed [them] from public view while continuing to charge the daily fee.” Plaintiffs argue in their suit that this practice led to financial losses and seek damages.
Zillow, which owns StreetEasy, Trulia, and other real estate platforms, allowed multiple agents to list the same property while only displaying the most recent listing, according to the complaint. Prior listings were hidden, the complaint says, but Zillow still charged agents $7 per day for each listing. “Zillow unjustly enriched itself by collecting daily fee payments on property listings it failed to display,” plaintiffs contend.
February 24, 2025 – Product Liability
Estée Lauder, Teva Sued by New York Town Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Municipal Water
Estée Lauder Cos., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., and others have been sued by the Village of Nyack, N.Y., alleging that defendants’ manufacturing facilities have contaminated the municipality’s water source with “forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS.
In its lawsuit, Nyack seeks to recover the cost of a water treatment system to remove PFAS from the Hackensack River and its tributaries. The suit, which was filed in federal court in White Plains, N.Y., claims that the defendants used PFAS in manufacturing products like wet wipes, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. These chemicals, the complaint says, do not easily degrade in the environment and are linked to health risks such as liver damage, immune system effects, and certain cancers.
Nyack is seeking compensation for costs related to investigating, monitoring, and removing PFAS from its water supply. The village argues that the defendants, which also include Professional Disposables Inc., Safety-Kleen Systems, and General Bearing Corporation, should assume the financial burden as they are the responsible parties. The suit also seeks a declaratory judgment holding the companies liable for future damages, along with punitive damages for what it describes as “outrageous conscious disregard” for public health.
February 21, 2025 – Securities
Investor Lawsuit Alleges ICON Misled Shareholders on Financial Health
A proposed class action has been filed against ICON PLC and two top executives, alleging that the clinical research organization misled investors about the financial impact of reduced spending by major pharmaceutical clients.
ICON executives made false and misleading statements regarding the company’s financial performance and growth prospects between July 2023 and October 2024, according to the complaint filed in Central Islip, N.Y.
The lawsuit contends that while ICON assured investors of “healthy demand” and a “constructive” business environment, the company was experiencing “a material loss of business” due to cost-cutting measures by major clients, including Pfizer. The suit further alleges that ICON failed to disclose that many of its clients had canceled contracts, delayed clinical trials, or reduced outsourcing.
February 20, 2025 – Cybersecurity
Trump Admin Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged ‘Massive Data Breach’
A lawsuit filed by a private nonprofit accuses the Trump administration and several government agencies of enabling the “largest and most consequential data breach in U.S. history,” exposing the personal information of millions of Americans.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center alleges in its suit that the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management failed to safeguard sensitive data, allowing unauthorized access by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
According to the complaint filed in federal court in Alexandria, Va., DOGE operatives —many linked to billionaire Elon Musk — gained unprecedented access to federal systems, including payroll and tax records, by exploiting a Trump administration executive order. This access, the complaint asserts, has resulted in the disclosure of personal data such as Social Security numbers and employment histories. “DOGE personnel took control of computer systems, locking career civil servants out,” the suit states.
February 19, 2025 – Intellectual Property
Notorious BIG Estate Files Suit Over Canvas Prints Inspired by ‘King of New York’ Photo
Photographer Barron Claiborne and the company that controls Biggie Smalls’ (a/k/a The Notorious B.I.G) intellectual property rights filed a lawsuit in Chicago federal court over what plaintiffs say is the improper use of the legendary hip-hop artist’s image.
In their suit, plaintiffs oppose the marketing of canvas prints featuring Smalls’ image as portrayed in Claiborne’s 1997 “King of New York” photo. The photo, according to the complaint, has been deemed the “Mona Lisa” of hip-hop; it depicts Smalls wearing a plastic crown set in front of a deep red background. Claiborne took the photo, the complaint says, just three days before Smalls was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. It has since become a defining portrait of the artist, the complaint asserts.
“Defendants used [Notorious B.I.G.’s] persona, name, image, and likeness, as well as several trademarks relating to him, and Mr. Claiborne’s King of New York series of photographs for many years, across numerous items and in multiple ways, without authorization,” plaintiffs claim.
Feb 18, 2025 – Constitution
ACLU Sues Over Firing of Arkansas Library Director
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of former Saline County (Ark.) library director Patty Hector, alleging she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for her opposition to book censorship.
According to the complaint, Hector, a longtime librarian, was dismissed after publicly opposing efforts to restrict access to certain books, particularly those featuring LGBTQ and racial themes. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Little Rock, Ark., claims that her firing violated her First Amendment rights.
The complaint states that the controversy began in early 2023 when local groups pushed for the removal or relocation of books they deemed inappropriate for children. Hector defended the library’s policies and the right to unrestricted access, telling local media, “We buy books for everyone in this community. And every child should be heard, and seen, and supported.” The ACLU is seeking a court declaration that her firing was unlawful. Hector, the complaint says, has since struggled to find comparable employment, and she is requesting compensation for lost wages and emotional distress.
February 17, 2025 – Product Liability
Tom’s of Maine Kid’s Toothpaste Said to Be Contaminated with Lead, Arsenic
A proposed class action filed in Brooklyn federal court accuses Colgate-Palmolive Co. and its subsidiary, Tom’s of Maine, of misleading consumers by failing to disclose the presence of lead and arsenic in its children’s fluoride-free toothpaste.
The lawsuit claims that defendants’ Tom’s of Maine Kid’s Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste Silly Strawberry contains “unsafe levels of lead and arsenic,” which are known neurotoxins. According to the complaint, “there is no safe blood level of lead,” citing risks including cognitive decline, mental illness, and hypertension.
“Defendants specifically list the ingredients of the Product on the labeling; however, Defendants fail to disclose that the Product contains, or is at the risk of containing, lead and arsenic,” the complaint asserts, adding that children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of lead and arsenic exposure. The suit argues that consumers reasonably expect oral care products to be free from harmful contaminants, particularly those marketed to children.
February 14, 2025 – Antitrust
Branch Metrics Sues Google for Alleged Attempt to Stifle Rival’s Search Feature
Branch Metrics, a mobile software company, is suing Google for allegedly monopolizing the Android app and search markets by blocking Branch’s Discovery Search deep-linking feature.
Google intentionally targeted Branch as a rival and foreclosed the Discovery Search feature from “gaining distribution on past, present, and future Android mobile devices,” according to the complaint filed in federal court in Marshall, Texas. Mobile deep linking, the complaint says, is a method of directing users to a specific location within a mobile app using a URL, and is designed to help users find and access content across mobile apps.
Branch claims in its suit that Google took aggressive steps to prevent the tool’s adoption, pressuring partners like Samsung and AT&T to abandon their support for Branch’s technology. Internal documents from the Department of Justice’s case against Google reportedly confirm these exclusionary tactics, the complaint adds.
February 13, 2025 – Breach of Contract
FTD Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged ‘Junk Fee Pricing Practices’
A proposed class action has been filed against Florists’ Transworld Delivery (FTD), accusing the floral delivery company of using deceptive “drip pricing” tactics that mislead consumers with artificially low prices before adding a mandatory $19.99 “Surprise Fee” at checkout.
Filed in Chicago federal court, the lawsuit alleges that FTD systematically deceives customers by advertising low-base prices for floral arrangements while concealing the required fee until the final stage of the checkout process. The suit argues that this practice violates federal and state consumer protection laws.
The complaint asserts that FTD’s pricing strategy exploits consumer psychology by encouraging customers to invest significant time in the checkout process before revealing the additional charge. Plaintiff says in his suit that this bait-and-switch tactic manipulates shoppers into completing their purchases rather than starting over with another retailer. The case, the complaint notes, highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over hidden “junk fees,” which have been criticized by the Federal Trade Commission and targeted in recent consumer protection legislation, including California’s new law banning drip pricing.
February 12, 2025 – Privacy
Amazon Accused of Secretly Tracking Consumers’ Location Data
Amazon faces a proposed class action alleging that it secretly collects and sells users’ sensitive location data without their consent.
Amazon obtained “backdoor access” to consumers’ cellphones by providing tens of thousands of app developers with code known as Amazon Ads SDK to be embedded in their apps, according to the complaint filed in San Francisco federal court.
This access, the complaint alleges, enables Amazon to collect an enormous amount of timestamped geolocation data about where consumers live, work, shop, and visit, revealing sensitive information such as religious affiliations, sexual orientation, and health concerns. “Amazon has effectively fingerprinted consumers and has correlated a vast amount of personal information about them entirely without consumers’ knowledge and consent,” plaintiff argues in his lawsuit.
February 11, 2025 – Environment
Igloo Cooler Faces Challenge Over Biodegradable Claims
A proposed class action filed in Brooklyn federal court alleges that Igloo Products Corp. has falsely advertised that certain cooler products are biodegradable and entirely composed of recycled materials.
Igloo says that its ReCool 16-quart cooler is “Biodegradable” and “Made From Biodegradable Materials,” according to the complaint. This claim, the complaint argues, leads consumers to believe the product will fully break down within a reasonable time after typical disposal. But in fact, the complaint adds, the Igloo ReCool cooler is usually thrown in the trash and taken to landfills where environmental conditions prevent significant biodegradation.
“Buried trash in landfills is typically deprived of oxygen, moisture, and beneficial microbes, and is more likely to be ‘mummified’ than decomposed within a meaningful timeframe,” plaintiff claims in his suit, calling Igloo’s biodegradable representations “false and misleading.”
February 10, 2025 – Labor & Employment
Gov’t Worker Unions Sue Over Executive Order Rescinding Employment Protections
Two major federal employee unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that they say unlawfully strips civil servants of key job protections.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The unions argue in their suit that President Donald Trump’s “Schedule F Order” reclassifies thousands of career federal employees and removes safeguards that protect them from politically motivated firings.
According to the complaint, the order “seeks to put politics over professionalism” by eliminating civil service protections for policy-influencing positions. The unions assert that the action violates federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act, by bypassing the required notice-and-comment rulemaking process. “Our nation’s career civil servants are the backbone of our federal government,” the complaint states, adding that the executive order “directly nullifies” existing regulations that safeguard federal employees from undue political influence.
February 7, 2025 – Constitution
Lawsuit Challenges Trump Executive Order Banning Transgender Troops
A group of transgender military service members has sued President Trump, challenging his executive order banning transgender people from the armed forces.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that the order Trump signed on Jan. 27 violates the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees by discriminating based on sex and transgender status “without lawful justification.” The ban, the suit says, erases protections granted to transgender troops by earlier administrations that determined they could serve effectively and without undermining military readiness.
Plaintiffs in their suit argue that the ban “was issued without any study of the effectiveness of transgender service members during the past four years or of any problems that may have arisen from their service, without any assessment of whether their service entailed greater costs, or without any assessment of whether any legitimate governmental concerns could be addressed by means other than a categorical ban.”
February 6, 2025 – ERISA
AT&T Faces Suit Over Alleged Mismanagement of 401(k) Plan Funds
A proposed class-action filed in Los Angeles federal court accuses AT&T Services Inc. of misusing forfeited assets from its employees’ 401(k) retirement plan, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
In his lawsuit, plaintiff, representing a class of AT&T employees and beneficiaries, claims that the company used forfeited assets from the AT&T Retirement Savings Plan to offset its employer contribution obligations, rather than for participants’ benefit. This, plaintiff argues, violates the company’s fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA.
The complaint cites multiple alleged ERISA violations, including the misuse of plan assets for corporate benefit, failure to monitor fiduciaries, and engaging in prohibited transactions. “Defendants have wrongfully and consistently used forfeited nonvested plan assets for their own benefit,” the complaint says, adding that the misconduct led to reduced plan assets and increased administrative expenses borne by employees.
February 5, 2025 – Securities
Pharmaceutical Co. Said to Mislead Investors Over Cancer Treatment
ESSA Pharma Inc. and its top executives have been hit with a proposed class action alleging they deceived shareholders about the prospects of its prostate cancer treatments.
Defendants “provided a narrative of ongoing success” of ESSA’s cancer treatment study while failing to disclose the true efficacy of the treatment, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Green Bay, Wisc.
In his lawsuit, plaintiff, who seeks to represent a class of investors that acquired ESSA stock between Dec. 12, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024, alleges that defendants made “materially false and misleading statements” regarding the efficacy of their cancer treatment during clinical trials. The drug offered “no clear efficacy benefit” over standard treatments despite public assurances to the contrary, plaintiff contends.
February 4, 2025 – Product Liability
Apple Watch Bands Contain Excessive PFAS, Lawsuit Alleges
Apple Inc. misleads buyers into thinking their smartwatches can improve their health while, in fact, using watch bands that contain excessive PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are known to harm human health, according to a proposed class action filed in San Francisco federal court.
Plaintiffs claim in their lawsuit that Apple “takes advantage of consumers’ need for safe smartwatch bands,” including the Sport Band and Nike Sport Band, by making buyers think the watches are safe to wear every day and are environmentally sustainable. Instead, plaintiffs allege, these products contain high levels of PFAS, which are linked to serious health issues such as cancer and hormonal disruptions.
Scientific studies cited in the complaint reveal that PFAS absorption is heightened through the skin, especially when wearing products during exercise or prolonged use. Alternatives like silicone-based materials, the studies say, are reportedly available and do not contain such toxic substances.
February 3, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Lawsuit Claims Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks Mislead Consumers
A proposed class action filed in Chicago federal court alleges that PIM Brands Inc. misleads consumers by marketing its Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks as containing real yogurt when they do not.
In their suit, plaintiffs claim that the product’s packaging falsely suggests it is coated in yogurt. Instead, plaintiffs argue, the coating is an “ultra-processed candy-like” mixture that lacks the nutritional benefits of real yogurt.
The complaint asserts that the product’s label, which states that fruit is “surrounded by creamy yogurt,” is deceptive because the so-called yogurt coating does not meet the federal definition of yogurt. “None of the components … contain or are derived from ‘yogurt’ either as yogurt is defined in the federal regulations or as consumers commonly understand the term,” the complaint states.
January 31, 2025 – Labor & Employment
EEOC Sues GM and UAW Over Alleged Age Discrimination
The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against General Motors and the United Auto Workers Union, alleging defendants violated federal law when they negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that limited short-term disability payments to older workers who receive Social Security retirement benefits.
The agreement between defendants provides that GM will pay weekly benefits to employees who miss work due to sickness or injury. But GM paid less to employees who were entitled, by their age, to full retirement benefits through the Social Security program, leaving workers aged 66 and older with fewer benefits than younger coworkers, according to the suit filed in federal court in New Albany, Ind.
Such conduct, the EEOC alleges, violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals aged 40 and older in compensation and privileges of employment, including employee benefits, because of their age. “GM and UAW penalize older workers whose age and work history allow them to collect Social Security retirement insurance,” the EEOC argues. “All workers should be entitled to the same benefits under a collective bargaining agreement, regardless of age.”
January 30, 2025 – Antitrust
FTC Accuses John Deere of Unlawful Equipment Repair Practices
Farm equipment manufacturer John Deere & Co. faces an antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over the company’s equipment repair practices.
The FTC, joined by the states of Illinois and Minnesota, accuses John Deere of using a proprietary software tool to bar consumers’ ability to independently repair its products. This forces the company’s customers to rely on its own network of authorized repair providers, the FTC says, arguing that this requirement violates federal anti-monopoly law.
“Deere’s increasingly sophisticated agricultural equipment requires a software tool to diagnose and repair problems that relate to electronic functions, and only Deere has the information and knowledge to create this essential tool,” the FTC asserts in its complaint. “By making this tool available only to Deere dealers,” the agency says, “Deere forces farmers to turn to Deere dealers for critical repairs rather than complete the repairs themselves or choose an independent repair provider that may be cheaper, closer, faster or more trusted.”
January 29, 2025 – Banking
Credit Union’s Lax Policies Facilitate Check Fraud, Lawsuit Claims
The Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) faces a proposed class action alleging that lax policies with respect to the creation of business accounts have allowed criminals to perpetrate check fraud through the financial institution.
The NFCU has shown an “intentional disregard” for compliance with “Know Your Customer” requirements and other federal regulations established to prevent money laundering and financial crime, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Austin, Texas. Plaintiff in the suit is Buckholts State Bank, which alleges it became a victim of NFCU’s insufficient “Know Your Customer” procedures after a customer’s check was stolen in the mail and used by fraudsters to open a business account at the credit union.
Buckholts State Bank claims in its suit that an NFCU business account can be opened online using a member’s personal credentials; there is no requirement that a customer hold an NFCU account for a certain period before opening a business account. Thanks to defendant’s lax policies, the bank asserts, fraudsters are able to open fake business accounts with NFCU within hours after committing business identity theft, and they can begin to deposit and withdraw from fraudulent checks soon after.
January 28, 2025 – Securities
SEC Sues Elon Musk, Alleging He Misled Investors in Twitter Purchase
The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission has filed a civil action against Elon Musk,
alleging Mr. Musk committed securities fraud in 2022 by failing to disclose he had amassed an active stake in Twitter, a secrecy that allowed him to buy shares from Twitter investors at “artificially low prices.”
Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, purchased Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022 and changed the name to X the following year, according to the complaint filed in federal court in the District of Columbia. Prior to the acquisition, the complaint says, he’d built up a position in the company of greater than 5%, which under securities law required disclosing his ownership position to the public.
Because Musk failed to timely disclose his ownership position during the period when it exceeded 5%, the SEC asserts, he was able to purchase shares in the company from the unsuspecting public at artificially low prices. In total, the SEC claims, Musk underpaid Twitter investors by more than $150 million for his purchases of Twitter common stock, with investors selling their stock during this period at artificially low prices.
January 27, 2025 – Constitution
Uber Challenges Legality of Colorado Law Mandating Pay Disclosure for Drivers
Uber Technologies has filed a lawsuit claiming that a new Colorado “transparency” law requiring transportation service companies to disclose certain information to drivers at the end of a trip violates its free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution.
In its lawsuit filed in Denver federal court, Uber alleges that the Colorado law imposes “unprecedented and unconstitutional” requirements compelling specific disclosures and prohibiting certain communications on its platform. Uber argues that the law mandates it to convey the state’s message in ways that contradict the company’s own expressive choices, including font size, timing, and screen design.
The law requires Uber to display earnings information prominently and disclose tax deductions based on federal mileage rates. Uber asserts that these requirements risk misleading drivers and riders while disrupting app functionality. “The State’s mandated disclosures,” the company says, “distort earnings figures and mislead consumers.” Uber also warns of a chilling effect on tipping, as the disclosures delay and complicate the post-trip user experience.
January 24, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Best Buy Accused of Deceptive Pricing of TVs, Major Appliances
A proposed class action filed in San Francisco federal court accuses Best Buy of deceiving customers into thinking they’re getting a better deal on TVs and major appliances than they actually are.
The company has engaged in a “massive and consistently false discount advertising scheme” at its retail locations and on BestBuy.com, according to the complaint. Since at least February 2023, the complaint says, Best Buy has advertised certain products — including TVs, refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, wall ovens, cooktops, and washers and dryers — at discounts from higher, “regular” prices at which they were never or rarely actually sold.
Plaintiffs allege in their suit that consumers, when presented with “discounts,” are substantially more likely to make the purchase. Further, plaintiffs claim, Best Buy deceptively promotes “limited-time” offers that it knows will be extended or never end, creating a false sense of urgency for customers that pushes them to buy its products.
January 23, 2025 – Labor & Employment
Staffing Firm Sues Rivals for Classifying Workers as Independent Contractors
A hospitality staffing firm has filed a lawsuit accusing several competitors of misclassifying their workers as independent contractors, who are cheaper than employees, thus allowing rivals to gain a competitive advantage.
The Party Staff Inc., one of California’s largest staffing firms, claims in its suit filed in San Francisco Superior Court that app-based “gig” services, including defendants Qwick, Instawork, Tend, and Nowsta, can offer lower prices because they do not have to pay the minimum wage, overtime, and payroll taxes or maintain workers’ compensation insurance. And, plaintiff adds, major food service firms Aramark and Guckenheimer Enterprises, who are also defendants in the suit, profit from the staffing firms’ practices by contracting with them to provide workers for catered events.
“Plaintiff, which has complied with the law by classifying its workers as employees, has had its business significantly undercut by Defendants’ actions and has lost numerous clients as a result, significantly impacting its revenue,” the plaintiff argues.
January 22, 2025 – Voting Rights
Justice Dep’t Claims City’s ‘At-Large’ Election System Discriminates Against Hispanic Voters
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil action seeking to have the court declare that Pennsylvania city Hazleton’s method of electing council members citywide instead of by districts has illegally diluted the political power of the city’s growing Hispanic population.
The Justice Department, in its lawsuit filed in federal court in Scranton, Pa., alleges that the “at-large” system “results in Hispanic citizens not having an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of their choice,” a violation of the federal Voting Rights Act. Hispanic voting-age citizens make up more than 40% of the city’s electorate but routinely lose city council elections.
The complaint argues that changing the method of election can create opportunities for Hispanic voters to elect candidates of their choice to the Hazleton City Council. For example, the complaint says, by electing council members from single-member districts, Hispanic voters would have an opportunity to elect at least two members of the five-member city council. The suit seeks a federal court order implementing a new method of council elections.
January 21, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
P&G Faces Suit Alleging It Deceptively Marketed Sleep Products as ‘Natural’
The Procter & Gamble Co. has been hit with a proposed class action filed in San Diego federal court, accusing the company of falsely advertising its “PURE Zzzs” melatonin products as helping consumers “fall asleep naturally” when in fact the products contain synthetic ingredients.
The complaint states that P&G’s advertising misleads reasonable consumers who rely on the “natural” representations when purchasing the sleep aids. The synthetic ingredients, the complaint argues, cannot “naturally” help someone sleep. Plaintiff in her lawsuit highlights consumer reliance on the term “natural,” saying that the synthetic production of melatonin contradicts the product’s core marketing message.
Plaintiff says she would not have bought the items had she known they contained artificial ingredients. She seeks to halt what she describes as P&G’s deceptive “greenwashing” practices, calling for corrective advertising to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature of the products.
January 20, 2025 – Securities
BioAge Said to Mislead Investors on Weight Loss Trial Before IPO
Biopharmaceutical company BioAge Labs Inc. and its executives have been accused of misleading investors ahead of its 2024 initial public offering (IPO) about an experimental clinical weight-loss drug trial that was ended by liver damage concerns, sending the stock down 77%.
BioAge’s September IPO registration statement had projected an air of safety regarding the phase 2 trial, including that it expected “topline results in the third quarter of 2025″ and was entering a collaboration with a reputable pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, according to the complaint filed in San Francisco federal court.
BioAge’s IPO filings, the complaint asserts, portrayed the drug as promising, citing its potential to “recapitulate the metabolic benefits of exercise.” Investors were assured of collaboration with Lilly’s clinical experts and anticipated “topline results in 2025,” with no mention of possible adverse effects observed in preclinical studies or prior trials. Following the trial’s discontinuation, the complaint says, BioAge’s stock price plummeted from $20.09 to $4.65 per share, leaving investors with significant losses.
January 17, 2025 – Intellectual Property
Woods-McIlroy Golf League Sues to Establish Right to Use ‘LA Golf Club’
A professional virtual golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has sued a golf equipment company on the eve of the league’s launch to secure rights to use “LA Golf Club” as a team name.
Plaintiff TGL Golf Holdings accuses equipment company LA Golf Partners (LAGP) of failing to properly object to plaintiff’s trademark registrations but claiming infringement just four days before the league’s launch and eight months after its last communication, according to the complaint filed in federal court in Wilmington, Del.
In its lawsuit, TGL contends that its use of trademarks such as “Los Angeles Golf Club” does not infringe on LAGP’s rights, as the abbreviation “LA” is geographically descriptive and widely associated with Los Angeles, citing other sports teams using similar nomenclature. The new league, the complaint says, features six teams from major cities, combining PGA Tour talent with advanced technology in a virtual golf format.
January 16, 2025 – Cybersecurity
H&R Block Faces Lawsuit Over Data Breach Impacting Thousands
Tax-preparation service H&R Block Inc. negligently failed to protect the personal information of more than 23,000 people that was exposed in a data breach that lasted nearly three months, alleges a proposed class action filed in federal court in Kansas City, Mo.
Plaintiff claims in his lawsuit that H&R Block breached its duties under federal and state law in failing to implement reasonable and adequate data-security measures and provide timely notice of the breach. The breach, which occurred between May and August 2024, allowed cybercriminals to access unencrypted data, including Social Security numbers and financial records, putting thousands at risk of identity theft, plaintiff claims.
The stolen data, according to the complaint, has already appeared on the dark web, where victims face increased risks of identity theft and fraud, with potential misuse ranging from fraudulent loans to unauthorized tax filings. Plaintiff seeks damages for invasion of privacy, time spent mitigating risks, and diminished value of personal information.
January 15, 2025 – Housing
Consumer Bureau Accuses Vanderbilt Mortgage of Predatory Lending Practices
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has filed a lawsuit against Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance Inc., alleging the company made irresponsible loans to vulnerable borrowers, in violation of federal law.
In its suit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Tennessee, the CFPB alleges that Vanderbilt, a mortgage finance firm specializing in manufactured-home financing, failed to determine whether borrowers could reasonably repay their loans. “Vanderbilt saddled borrowers in the greatest need with mortgages that they couldn’t reasonably afford to repay,” the complaint states. Vanderbilt is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate.
According to the CFBP, Vanderbilt’s underwriting process relied on unrealistic expense estimates and disregarded borrowers’ existing financial difficulties. These practices, the suit says, led to widespread delinquencies and home repossessions, with borrowers subjected to late fees, penalties, and, in some cases, bankruptcy due to the loans’ unaffordability. The agency seeks restitution for affected consumers and the prevention of future violations of the Truth in Lending Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Act.
January 14, 2025 – Product Liability
Power Tool Manufacturer Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Fire-Prone Batteries
A Chinese power tool manufacturer that does business in the U.S. and Canada has been hit with a proposed class action in Chicago federal court, claiming that its “SKIL PWRCore” 40-volt lithium-ion batteries are a fire hazard.
Plaintiff says in his lawsuit that he intended to purchase a product that would be safe for normal use, “but instead was sold a dangerous fire hazard that eventually overheated and melted.” Defendant in the suit is Chevron North America, which imports from China a number of electric construction and landscaping tools, as well as lithium-ion batteries through associated brands like EGO, SKIL, FLEX, DEVON, and X-TRON.
The complaint notes the recall of Chervon’s 40-volt lithium batteries for SKIL brand lawnmowers and other outdoor tools issued Dec.19 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The suit seeks damages for defective design, failure to warn, and breach of warranty, among other claims. It further alleges that Chervon failed to adopt alternative designs that could have mitigated the hazard.
January 13, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Lawsuit Alleges False Advertising of Similac and PediaSure Infant Formulas
Abbott Laboratories, manufacturer of Similac and PediaSure nutritional formulas, faces a proposed class action from parents alleging that the company’s “toddler milk” products, marketed as essential for children over one year old, are nutritionally unnecessary and exploit parental concerns about child development.
The products at issue are Similac “Go & Grow” and PediaSure “Grow & Gain,” which are both marketed toward toddlers 12 months or older, according to the complaint filed in San Francisco federal court. While the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has established nutritional and labeling standards for infant formula, the complaint says, these regulations apply only to products intended for children under 12 months of age.
In their lawsuit, plaintiffs argue that this gap in regulation results in children over one year old consuming products of questionable nutritional value, as Abbott adds sugar and other unhealthy ingredients to its toddler milk products. Plaintiffs accuse Abbott of taking advantage of parents’ desire to provide healthy food options for their children but, as a result, pulling them away from breast milk and other options scientifically proven to be nutritional.
January 10, 2025 – Environment
Maryland Files Lawsuit Against W.L. Gore Over “Forever Chemicals” Pollution
Maryland has filed a lawsuit against W.L. Gore & Associates, accusing the company of contaminating state resources with “forever chemicals” (PFAS) used in the production of raincoats and other outdoor gear.
According to the complaint filed in federal court in Baltimore, Md., Gore’s operations released PFAS into the environment through multiple pathways. The chemicals, the complaint says, have contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water, and drinking water, threatening public health and natural resources.
The state asserts in its lawsuit that Gore was aware of the dangers of PFAS as early as the 1960s but concealed the risks to protect its corporate image. “Gore knew that PFAS … were persistent and would remain in the environment for hundreds of years, leaving a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the suit contends. “The people of Maryland should not bear the cost of cleaning up pollution caused by corporate negligence.”
January 9, 2025 – College Athletics
Texas Sues NCAA Over Transgender Competition in Women’s Sports
The State of Texas has sued the National Collegiate Athletics Association over its policies allowing some transgender athletes to compete in women’s athletic competitions, accusing the NCAA of false advertising by allowing “biological males” to compete in events labeled as women’s competitions.
In its lawsuit filed in Lubbock County District Court, Texas claims that the NCAA’s policy allowing some transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports violates the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The state seeks a permanent injunction barring the NCAA from allowing transgender women to compete on women’s sports teams at Texas colleges or in women’s sporting events in Texas.
Texas says that allowing male athletes in women’s competitions disadvantages female participants, depriving them of titles, scholarships, and fair competition opportunities. “Men competing in women’s sports,” the state argues, “is inherently unfair and unsafe due to their [males’] physiological advantages.” Alternatively, Texas asks that the court prohibit the NCAA from using the term “women” in relation to teams or competitions in Texas where transgender women are allowed to compete.
January 8, 2025 – Healthcare
Justice Dep’t Accuses CVS of Boosting Profits Through Excessive Opioid Prescriptions
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued CVS, claiming that the pharmaceutical chain “fed dependence and addiction” on opioids when it filled excessive prescriptions and then asked federal health insurance programs to pay for them.
According to the complaint filed in federal court in the District of Rhode Island, CVS “knowingly filled prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.” In its lawsuit, the Justice Department claims that the scheme dates back over a decade, and involves invalid prescriptions for “dangerous and excessive quantities” of opioids and early fills of the drugs.
Many of the illicit prescriptions, the Justice Department says, were done for prescribers whom CVS knew to be engaged in “pill mill practices,” loosely prescribing controlled substance prescriptions without a sufficient purpose. CVS ignored explicit warnings from their own pharmacists who urged the company not to fill any more prescriptions from suspicious prescribers, the department alleges.
January 7, 2025 – Consumer Fraud
Hair Loss Alleged to Be Caused by Mielle Organics
In a proposed class action, plaintiffs claim Mielle Organics Hair Oil does not work as advertised, and ingredients in the product can cause users to lose their hair.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Strengthening Hair Oil is marketed as a cosmetic product that is beneficial for hair growth, by strengthening hair strands and nourishing the scalp, according to the complaint filed in Chicago federal court. However, the complaint says the manufacturers knew or should have known about problems with certain ingredients in the product yet failed to adequately disclose the risk.
“No reasonable consumer would have paid any amount for cosmetic Products that contained ingredients causing hair loss and other injuries,” the complaint states, adding that in addition to hair loss, the product can cause blisters and sores on the scalp and is not fit to be sold on the market to unsuspecting consumers. The suit advances claims of fraud, unjust enrichment, and violation of state and federal consumer fraud laws.
January 6, 2025 – Product Liability
Video Games Addiction Lawsuit Says Minors Are Intentionally Targeted
Plaintiff alleges that the popular online video games Roblox and Fortnite are intentionally designed and marketed to minors, with little regard for the potential risks they pose to children’s health, including potential brain damage, cognitive decline, and other adverse effects.
Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows players to explore virtual worlds, create their own games, and interact with others, featuring customizable avatars and in-game purchases, according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Fortnite combines competitive gameplay with creative modes, offering players the ability to purchase character upgrades and exclusive content.
The lawsuit seeks damages from Roblox Corp., Epic Games, and other unnamed defendants, claiming that the games are designed with addictive features and exploitative monetization strategies that target minors, leading to significant physical, mental, and financial harm, including the promotion of excessive in-game purchases.
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