Case Filings Alert™ reports daily 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. A wide range of topics are covered, including product liability, intellectual property, antitrust, among others. A number of these cases, particularly the product liability litigation, will develop into mass torts as new cases raising similar issues are filed. Mass torts are covered in our report MDLCases.com, which deals with major multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases. Also see our litigation reports: Social Media Addiction, Copyright-Litigation.com, and Litigation Report 2026-27. Editor: Robert S. Want (rwant@LegalEditor.com).
June 30, 2026 – Constitution
DOJ Sues Denver Over ‘Assault Weapon’ Ban, Citing 2nd Amendment Violations
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging Denver’s ban on what the city classifies as “assault weapons,” the department alleging that the ordinance violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
The complaint, filed in federal court for the District of Colorado, targets a city law making it unlawful to “carry, store, keep, manufacture, sell, or otherwise possess assault weapons” within Denver. The DOJ contends that the ban impermissibly restricts firearms “in common use for lawful purposes.” The ordinance, according to the complaint, covers widely owned semiautomatic rifles such as AR-15-style firearms, which the Supreme Court has recognized as “the most popular rifle in America.” The complaint says that millions of Americans legally possess such firearms for activities including self-defense, hunting, and recreational shooting.
Relying on recent Supreme Court precedent, DOJ argues that the law is “presumptively unconstitutional” because it regulates conduct protected by the Second Amendment. The department further claims that Denver cannot justify the restriction as consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.
June 29, 2026 – Intellectual Property
Peanuts Producer Sues Over ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ Music in Interior Department Video
Lee Mendelson Film Productions has sued the U.S. Department of Interior in the Court of Federal Claims, alleging that the department unlawfully used music from the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television special in a widely distributed animated holiday video without obtaining a license.
The complaint says Interior used the composition in a “widely distributed, animated digital Christmas greeting” posted online in December 2025. Plaintiff alleges that the video depicted “activities the Department of Interior might undertake, all set to the tune of the Composition.” The lawsuit contends the use occurred “without authorization.”
The production company says in its lawsuit that it controls intellectual property tied to the “Peanuts” television specials and serves as publisher for much of the Vince Guaraldi music library associated with Charlie Brown productions. The complaint describes the music as “famously associated with Peanuts” and “an enduringly popular and recognizable theme in American culture.” According to the suit, the agency holiday greeting was shared on platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and “was viewed millions of times on many platforms.”
June 26, 2026 – Environment
Tribes Seek to Block Black Hills Drilling Project Near Sacred Site
A coalition of Sioux tribes has filed suit seeking to halt a U.S. Forest Service–approved mineral exploration project in South Dakota’s Black Hills, alleging that the plan unlawfully threatens sacred land and bypasses required environmental and tribal consultation processes.
Filed in federal court in South Dakota, the complaint challenges a February 2026 decision authorizing exploratory drilling for graphite near Pe’Sla, a site the tribes describe as central to their religious and cultural identity. The project, the tribes contend, “will directly and significantly affect Ȟe Sápa and Pe’Sla,” areas they call “the heart of everything that is.”
In their lawsuit, the tribes argue that the Forest Service failed to engage in “meaningful, mutual, and legally required government-to-government consultation, saying that this omission violates federal law, including the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The suit also challenges the agency’s conclusion that no historic properties would be affected, calling it “factually incorrect, arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.”
June 25, 2026 – Product Liability
LINX Reflux Lawsuit Claims Device Required Removal Surgery
A defective LINX Reflux Management System implant caused severe complications, forcing plaintiff to undergo additional surgery after the device was recalled, according to a suit filed in Minneapolis federal court.
The complaint claims that the LINX device, manufactured by Torax Medical Inc. and Ethicon Inc., was “defectively manufactured” and failed after being surgically implanted to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The suit notes that the companies later acknowledged a defect and issued a recall affecting devices in the United States and European Union.
The recalled devices, the complaint says, were found to have a condition that could allow “a bead component to separate from an adjacent wire link,” potentially causing the device to open and fail. More than 9,000 devices were in circulation at the time of the 2018 recall. Plaintiff says she received the implant in April 2017 and later experienced a recurrence of symptoms, ultimately requiring surgical removal of the device in March 2026.
June 24, 2026 – Privacy
Amazon Subsidiary Woot Accused of Secretly Tracking Users’ Video Purchases
A proposed class action alleges that Woot.com, an Amazon-owned online retailer, unlawfully tracked and shared users’ browsing and purchasing activity — including video game selections— without consent, in violation of federal and state privacy laws.
The complaint, filed in Seattle federal court, claims that Woot deployed tracking technologies that “begin placing and transmitting third-party tracking technologies immediately upon a User’s initial visit,” capturing detailed user interactions before any meaningful notice or consent. Plaintiffs allege that this data included clicks, purchases, and browsing behavior.
According to the complaint, Woot transmitted this information to third parties, such as Meta, through cookies and pixels, enabling the collection of “Sensitive Information,” including IP addresses, device identifiers, and user activity, across the site. The data, the complaint says, was used for targeted advertising and analytics. The lawsuit states that the tracking extended to “Personal Video Information,” including specific video game titles viewed or purchased, which plaintiffs argue is protected under the Video Privacy Protection Act.
June 23, 2026 – Intellectual Property
Bubble Beauty Makes Baseless Allegation Over Trade Dress, Lawsuit Claims
A skincare company behind the Saint Crewe brand has sued rival Bubble Beauty in Dallas federal court, seeking a declaration that its product packaging does not infringe Bubble’s alleged trade dress rights in a dispute over colorful skincare containers.
Plaintiff says it filed the lawsuit after receiving cease-and-desist letters from Bubble Beauty Inc. demanding a nationwide recall of several Saint Crewe products and an end to related advertising and sales. According to the complaint, Bubble demanded that plaintiff “permanently refrain from the advertising, promotion, and sale” of products that Bubble claims are confusingly similar to its trade dress.
Saint Crewe argues in its suit that its products are visually distinct because they prominently display the “Saint Crewe” name in script and use consistent orange-and-blue packaging, while Bubble products vary widely in color and design. Saint Crewe also contends that Bubble’s claimed trade dress rights are unregistered and lack the “secondary meaning” required for legal protection. Plaintiff is asking the court to declare that its packaging does not infringe Bubble’s rights, that no likelihood of confusion exists, and that Bubble is not entitled to damages or injunctive relief.
June 22, 2026 – Consumer Fraud
Consumers Sue Amazon for Failing to Refund Trump Tariff Costs
Consumers have filed a proposed class action against Amazon.com in federal court in Seattle, accusing the company of unlawfully profiting from Trump-era import tariffs by passing the costs onto shoppers and later refusing to pursue government refunds after the tariffs were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The complaint alleges that Amazon “collected hundreds of millions of dollars in unlawful tariff costs from consumers” during the period when tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were in effect. Plaintiffs contend that Amazon raised prices on imported products, including electronics, memory cards, and household items, then retained the proceeds after the Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs in February 2026.
According to the lawsuit, Amazon acted as the importer of record for many products sold through its online stores, allowing it to seek refunds from the federal government after the tariffs were deemed unlawful. The suit cites statements from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledging that tariffs would “creep into some of the prices,” along with studies showing price increases on Amazon goods during 2025. Plaintiffs further claim that Amazon abandoned a plan to display tariff-related surcharges after criticism from the Trump administration.
June 19, 2026 – Constitution
Minnesota Faces First Amendment Suit Over Social Media Warning Law
Internet trade association NetChoice has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a first-of-its-kind law requiring social media platforms to display a government-mandated mental health warning to users.
In its suit filed in Minnesota federal court, the group argues that the state is overstepping its constitutional bounds by compelling private companies to speak the government’s message, using “public health” to justify a backdoor means to control online speech. The complaint targets a provision in the new law requiring platforms to display a warning to users about the “potential negative mental health impacts” of social media each time they log in. The warning cannot be permanently dismissed and must remain until users acknowledge the risks or exit the platform.
NetChoice asserts that the law unlawfully forces private companies to convey the government’s message while restricting plaintiff’s ability to add clarifying language, even to indicate the warning is state-mandated. The group contends that the requirement violates the principle that the government “may not compel a person to speak its own preferred messages.”
June 18, 2026 – Product Liability
Abbott Labs Spinal Cord Stimulator Caused Permanent Injuries, Suit Alleges
In a lawsuit filed against Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific, plaintiff claims that spinal cord stimulator (SCS) devices implanted in her body were fundamentally altered after initial FDA approval, resulting in device failures that caused permanent injuries.
According to the complaint filed in federal court in the Northern District of Florida, spinal cord stimulators are Class III medical devices designed to deliver electrical impulses to the spine to mask chronic pain signals. Because of their high-risk classification, the complaint says, they are subject to FDA’s most stringent approval process, which requires manufacturers to demonstrate safety and effectiveness before marketing the products.
Defendants used hundreds of pre-market approval supplements to change key aspects of their SCS devices, including battery systems and stimulation features, without undergoing new clinical testing or safety review, plaintiff contends. As a result, she says she experienced worsening pain, electrical shocks, and multiple device malfunctions, ultimately requiring surgical removal of the implants.
June 17, 2026 – Breach of Contract
Zillow Accused of Adding ‘Junk Fees’ to Rent Payments
A renter has filed a proposed class action accusing Zillow Group Inc. of deceptively charging “junk fees” to tenants who pay rent through its online platform, according to a complaint filed in D.C. Superior Court.
The lawsuit alleges that Zillow imposes undisclosed “Transaction Fees” on renters using its Rental Manager service, a scheme that plaintiff says forces tenants to pay extra simply to make required rent payments. According to the complaint, the fee is added at the final stage of checkout using a “negative option” process, which allegedly makes it difficult for consumers to avoid the charge.
Plaintiff claims the fee “serves solely as a profit generator” and provides no added value to renters. The suit further contends that the fees are not disclosed in lease agreements and effectively operate as “additional, unexpected rent,” potentially interfering with contractual terms between tenants and landlords. The suit cites federal scrutiny of so-called junk fees, noting regulators’ concerns that hidden charges undermine price transparency.
June 16, 2026 – Consumer Fraud
Dua Lipa Sues Samsung Over ‘Massive’ Use of Her Image on TV Boxes
Pop star Dua Lipa has sued Samsung Electronics Co. in Los Angeles federal court, alleging that the company unlawfully used her image on television packaging without permission and falsely implied that she endorsed the products.
Samsung used a copyrighted backstage photograph of Lipa on cardboard boxes for Samsung televisions sold nationwide, according to the complaint. The lawsuit claims that the company engaged in “massive, continuing, unauthorized commercial exploitation” of her likeness and violated her copyright, trademark, and publicity rights.
The suit says the image appeared prominently on packaging for Samsung Crystal UHD televisions distributed through retailers such as Best Buy and Target, and that Samsung continued selling the products even after Lipa demanded that the company “cease and desist from the infringement.” The suit argues that Samsung sought to capitalize on Lipa’s celebrity status and carefully cultivated brand identity.
June 15, 2026 – Privacy
Lawsuit Accuses JetBlue of Using Customers’ Personal Data to Raise Air Fares
Plaintiff airline passenger has filed a proposed class action in Brooklyn federal court accusing JetBlue Airways Corp. of secretly harvesting customer data to manipulate ticket prices.
The lawsuit alleges that JetBlue used “tracking technology embedded in website code” to collect sensitive personal and behavioral data without adequate consent, and that this data was then used for “dynamic surveillance pricing” that adjusts fares based on consumer behavior.
According to the complaint, JetBlue shared user data with third parties, including analytics and pricing firms, enabling real-time fare changes tied to browsing activity and other personal indicators. The suit claims that JetBlue’s disclosures failed to inform users that their information could be used “to set pricing dynamically as opposed to set, static pricing.”
June 12, 2026 – Consumer Fraud
Consumer Group Sues Meta for Alleged Failure to Protect Users from Scam Advertisements
The Consumer Federation of America has filed a proposed class action against Meta Platforms Inc., accusing the company of misleading consumers about its detrimental role as “a pillar of the global fraud economy.”
Meta misleads users about the steps it claims to be taking to fight fraud on its platform, according to the complaint filed in Superior Court of the District of Columbia While promising users that it is meaningfully fighting scams and removing scam content from its platform, the complaint says, Meta has in fact adopted policies and practices that it knows allow scam advertisements to proliferate, generating profits off those ads at its users’ expense.
In public statements, Meta claims that it is doing all it can to crack down on fraudulent advertising. But in reality, the complaint says, Meta has knowingly taken steps and adopted policies that allow scam advertising to spread. The federation claims in its suit that, rather than prohibiting advertisers Meta deemed higher risk, it chose to charge them a higher rate, thereby increasing Meta’s profits by allowing them to reach its users.
June 11, 2026 – Product Liability
Bissell Sold ‘Dangerously Defective’ Steam Cleaners, Lawsuit Alleges
A proposed class action filed in Chicago federal court alleges that Bissell Homecare Inc. sold millions of defective handheld steam cleaners that posed burn risks and failed to provide an adequate recall remedy.
Bissell marketed its Steam Shot products as safe household tools, according to the complaint, while concealing a defect that could cause attachments to detach and expel hot water or steam. Defendant’s products were “dangerously defective and posed a significant risk of burn injuries to users,” plaintiff claims.
A 2024 recall affected about 3.2 million units following numerous incidents. Despite this, the lawsuit claims, Bissell continued selling similar models with the same defect until a broader recall was issued in 2026. Plaintiff contends that the recall remedies were inadequate, offering limited compensation or replacement parts that “do not address the underlying design defect.” The suit argues that consumers were left with unsafe products and insufficient relief.
June 10, 2026 – Intellectual Property
Meta Sued for Patent Infringement Over AI Transcription Technology
Datascription LLC has accused Meta Platforms Inc. of infringing a patent covering technology for extracting and analyzing data from audio and video streams.
The complaint, filed in federal court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that Meta’s use of speech-recognition systems, including its Wav2vec algorithm, violates plaintiff’s patent, which relates to “metadata extraction of non-transcribed audio and video streams.”
In its lawsuit, Datascription claims that its patented system converts audio and video into “time-aligned” text and metadata, enabling searchable insights across multimedia content. The company says its technology was designed to address the “industry’s historical inability to analyze video content at the same scale as text.” According to the complaint, Meta deploys similar functionality in its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, where automated captions are generated for live and recorded videos.
June 9, 2026 – Antitrust
Lucky Strike Accused of Building a Bowling Monopoly
A proposed nationwide class action accuses Lucky Strike Entertainment Corp., formerly Bowlero Corp., of unlawfully consolidating the U.S. bowling industry through acquisitions that drove up prices, reduced quality, and harmed consumers.
Filed in federal court in Seattle, the lawsuit claims that the company carried out a “multi-year anticompetitive scheme to consolidate bowling centers in communities throughout the United States” and used its growing dominance to increase profits at the expense of bowlers. The suit alleges that customers faced “higher prices, reduced quality, and the veritable destruction of the decades-old pastime of bowling in America.”
Plaintiffs, a group of bowlers from states including Washington, California, New York, and Virginia, contend that the company acquired hundreds of bowling centers and later imposed steep price increases, dynamic pricing systems, higher food-and-beverage costs, and rising league fees. The suit further asserts that the company allowed lane conditions and maintenance to deteriorate while converting some locations into nightclub-style venues with loud music.
June 8, 2026 – Environment
Advocacy Group Sues EPA Over Failure to Regulate Asbestos
A public health advocacy group has filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that the agency failed to meet a legal deadline to address the dangers of legacy asbestos.
In its lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) claims that EPA violated a “non-discretionary statutory duty” by not proposing a required risk management rule after determining that legacy asbestos poses serious health risks.
The complaint states that asbestos-containing materials remain widespread in older buildings, exposing workers and the public during renovation and demolition. Asbestos-related diseases cause “nearly 40,000 deaths in the United States annually,” with heightened risks for firefighters, construction workers, and others, according to the complaint. ADAO argues in its suit that the agency’s inaction continues to expose the public to harm and seeks a court order requiring EPA to act by a set deadline.
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