ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵ

Product Liability

  • June 27, 2025

    Hershey Says Wrapper PFAS Suit 'Built On A House Of Cards'

    The Hershey Co. on Friday urged a Pennsylvania federal court to dismiss a putative class action that alleges its packaging for its chocolate bars and candies contains dangerous levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, saying consumers' testing allegations failed to back a viable claim that its products contain the forever chemicals known as PFAS.

  • June 27, 2025

    Meta, TikTok Can't Escape 'Subway Surfing' Death Suit

    TikTok and Meta Platforms can trim, but not escape, a lawsuit over the death of a teen who allegedly participated in a "subway surfing" social media challenge, a Manhattan judge ruled Friday, saying the complaint plausibly pleads the algorithms inundated the teen with dangerous "challenge" content he never sought.

  • June 27, 2025

    Gunmaker, Ammo Co. Sued In Ga. Over Exploding Cartridge

    A Georgia man is suing gunmaker Chiappa Firearms USA Ltd and ammunition supplier Olin Winchester LLC over permanent eye damage he sustained when a bullet unexpectedly exploded in a pistol he was target firing, according to a lawsuit recently removed to federal court.

  • June 27, 2025

    6th Circ. Vacates Class Cert. In GM Transmission Defect Suit

    The full Sixth Circuit on Friday unraveled class certification for drivers claiming General Motors LLC sold vehicles with defective transmissions that caused the cars to shudder and shake on the road.

  • June 27, 2025

    Tesla To Face Punitive Damages Claim At Trial Over Fla. Crash

    Tesla will face a punitive damages claim at trial next month in a wrongful death suit over a deadly collision in 2019, with a Florida federal judge saying there is enough evidence the carmaker knew about dangers associated with its autopilot system to send the claim to a jury.

  • June 27, 2025

    Sunbeam Says 'Reptile Theory' Tactics Doom $8.8M Verdict

    Sunbeam Products Inc. and parent company Newell Brands Inc. want a new trial in a case where a woman won an $8.8 million verdict on claims that a slow cooker made by the companies left her with burns, asserting that her attorneys committed misconduct aimed at using "Reptile Theory" to inflame the jury.

  • June 27, 2025

    Insurer Fights Cosmetic Co. Over Coverage For Pollution Row

    A Markel unit had no duty to defend a cosmetics company against prior water pollution claims simply because it agreed to defend a subsequent suit brought by the California attorney general, the insurer told a California federal court Friday.

  • June 27, 2025

    Recently Retired US District Judge Joins JAMS In Los Angeles

    Alternative dispute resolution service JAMS continues expanding its roster, announcing Thursday it has added a former California federal judge as one of its neutrals.

  • June 27, 2025

    Ghost Gun Seller Sued Over Deadly Philly Mass Shooting

    The parents of a victim of a 2023 mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia are suing a retailer they say sold the shooter parts to assemble a "ghost gun" version of an AR-15 in violation of Pennsylvania law.

  • June 27, 2025

    Idaho Justices Dismiss Suit Over Skier's Death On Slopes

    The Idaho Supreme Court has dismissed a widow's suit against Sun Valley Co. alleging the company was negligent and liable for the death of her husband from hitting a snow machine while skiing, finding that the machine was clearly marked in keeping with state law, and the skier had assumed the risks of the sport.

  • June 27, 2025

    Mass. Cannabis Labs Call Rival's Suit 'Publicity Stunt'

    Seven Massachusetts cannabis testing labs are asking a state court judge to toss out a lawsuit brought by a competitor accusing them of manipulating test results, with three of the defendants calling the complaint a "publicity stunt" driven by the plaintiff's declining market share.

  • June 26, 2025

    Phillip Morris Moves To Arbitrate Rivals' Tobacco Deal Suit

    Philip Morris USA is urging a Washington state judge to force arbitration in a dispute with R.J. Reynolds and other tobacco companies over deals delineating billions of dollars in annual payments owed to states under Big Tobacco's 1998 master settlement agreement.

  • June 26, 2025

    Bayer Investors' $38M Settlement Over Monsanto Deal OK'd

    A California federal judge on Thursday preliminarily approved Bayer AG's $38 million settlement with investors who accused the German multinational of downplaying litigation risks related to the weedkiller Roundup when it acquired Monsanto in 2018, saying the deal appeared to be "fair, reasonable and adequate."

  • June 26, 2025

    Suit Blaming Big Oil For Heat Wave Death Moved To Fed Court

    Chevron removed to Seattle federal court a first-of-its kind wrongful death suit brought by the daughter of a woman who died during a 2021 heat wave alleging oil and gas giants — including BP PLC, ConocoPhillips and Shell PLC — knew for decades their fossil fuel products would one day "claim lives."

  • June 26, 2025

    Grocer Drops Insurer From NC Opioid Coverage Suit

    A grocery chain and a Chubb unit told a North Carolina state court they've agreed to drop their insurance coverage claims against each other with prejudice over a raft of underlying opioid lawsuits.

  • June 26, 2025

    Volvo's US Unit Escapes Film Producer's Hearing Loss Suit

    The co-founder of Armory Films — the production company behind "The Peanut Butter Falcon" and "Fool's Paradise" — can't sue Volvo Car USA LLC for hearing loss suffered due to a purported defect in his vehicle's speakers, a Nashville federal judge ruled, saying the domestic company didn't manufacture the SUV so it can't be found liable under state law.

  • June 26, 2025

    5th Circ. Revives Biz Records Law, Citing Review Safeguard

    The Fifth Circuit on Thursday tossed a permanent injunction blocking a Texas statute requiring businesses to immediately comply with the state's demand to examine business records, saying the Texas Supreme Court recently "harmonized" the law in a way that addresses Spirit AeroSystems Inc.'s constitutional challenge.

  • June 26, 2025

    Kimberly-Clark Inks $4.15M Deal In Gown Fraud Suit

    Kimberly-Clark Corp. has agreed to pay $4.15 million to settle a suit brought by a doctor on behalf of the federal government alleging it violated the False Claims Act by falsely claiming its surgical gowns protected against contagious diseases.

  • June 26, 2025

    Judge Casts Doubt On Plea Deals In Blood Test Defect Case

    A set of plea agreements between Massachusetts federal prosecutors and former Magellan Diagnostics executives has been thrown into uncertainty amid a dispute over whether the executives admitted to fraud related to defective blood tests or merely an intent to mislead, a question a judge said Thursday might be "a very expensive rabbit hole."

  • June 26, 2025

    Boeing Wins Discovery Stay In Chancery Derivative Suit

    Pointing to court doctrines barring discovery while a derivative suit faces dismissal motions, a Delaware vice chancellor on Thursday grounded a Boeing Co. stockholder bid to continue demanding records pending a final decision on the company's right to control the action, which alleges massive, costly safety failures.

  • June 26, 2025

    Kroger, Growers Sued Over Frozen Mango Contamination

    The Kroger Co., family-owned grower Townsend Farms Inc., SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc. and two unnamed corporations have been sued in Georgia federal court over allegations that a man developed a listeria infection after buying a frozen mango product from a Kroger in Douglasville, Georgia.

  • June 26, 2025

    Volvo EV Defect Causes Sudden Acceleration, Suit Says

    Volvo drivers filed a proposed class action in California federal court Wednesday alleging it concealed a latent systemic safety defect in some of its XC40 Recharge electric vehicles that cause them to behave erratically and dangerously, where they'd unexpectedly accelerate or lurch, even when drivers' feet are off the gas.

  • June 26, 2025

    Imerys Insurers Continue To Take Issue With Ch. 11 Plans

    Insurers that do not support talc producer Imerys Talc America's updated Chapter 11 plan told a Delaware judge Thursday that moving too swiftly toward confirmation of the new proposal will have the same results as an earlier effort, when the debtor asked to pause the proceedings after about a week.

  • June 26, 2025

    Conn. Atty Can't Intervene In Ex-Partner's Digital Data Bid

    Connecticut Trial Firm LLC co-founder Ryan McKeen cannot intervene in a discovery bid launched by his former 50-50 law partner Andrew Garza because the proceeding is not a "civil action" under the relevant statute, a state court judge has ruled.

  • June 26, 2025

    Gordon Rees Adds Glazier Yee Toxic Tort Ace In LA, St. Louis

    Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP is expanding its litigation team, bringing in an environmental and toxic tort specialist from boutique firm Glazier Yee LLP as a partner in its St. Louis and Los Angeles offices.

Expert Analysis

  • 7 Tips For Associates To Thrive In Hybrid Work Environments

    Excerpt from
    Author Photo

    As the vast majority of law firms have embraced some type of hybrid work policy, associates should consider a few strategies to get the most out of both their in-person and remote workdays, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

  • Series

    Playing Beach Volleyball Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    My commitment to beach volleyball has become integral to my performance as an attorney, with the sport continually reminding me that teamwork, perseverance, professionalism and stress management are essential to both undertakings, says Amy Drushal at Trenam.

  • Opinion

    California Climate Lawsuit Bill Is Constitutionally Flawed

    Author Photo

    A bill in the California Legislature that would let victims of climate-related disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires sue oil and gas producers for spreading misinformation about climate change is too vague, retroactive and focused on one industry to survive constitutional scrutiny, says Kyla Christoffersen Powell at the Civil Justice Association of California.

  • What To Expect From 'Make America Healthy Again' Actions

    Author Photo

    The Make America Healthy Again Commission recently established by President Donald Trump and chaired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will potentially bring energy and attention to important public health topics, and stakeholders should be aware of pathways for sharing their input and proactively informing proceedings, says Nicholas Manetto at Faegre Drinker.

  • How Law Firms Can Counteract The Loneliness Epidemic

    Author Photo

    The legal industry is facing an urgent epidemic of loneliness, affecting lawyer well-being, productivity, retention and profitability, and law firm leaders should take concrete steps to encourage the development of genuine workplace connections, says Michelle Gomez at Littler and Gwen Mellor Romans at Herald Talent.

  • What's At Stake In High Court's Class Member Standing Case

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Supreme Court’s eventual decision in Labcorp v. Davis could significantly alter how parties prosecute and defend class actions in federal court, particularly if the court determines some proof of member standing is required before a class may be certified, say attorneys at Reed Smith.

  • 5 Keys To Building Stronger Attorney-Client Relationships

    Author Photo

    Attorneys are often focused on being seen as the expert, but bonding with clients and prospects by sharing a few key personal details provides the basis for a caring, trusted and profoundly deeper business relationship, says Deb Feder at Feder Development.

  • Evidence Rule May Expand Use Of Out-Of-Court Statements

    Author Photo

    A proposed amendment to Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(1)(A) would broaden the definition of nonhearsay, reflects a more pragmatic approach to regulating the admissibility of out-of-court statements by declarant-witnesses, and could help level the playing field between prosecutors and criminal defendants, say attorneys at Hangley Aronchick.

  • How Courts Can Filter Nonmeritorious Claims In Mass Torts

    Author Photo

    Nonmeritorious claims have been a key obstacle to settlement in many recent high-profile mass torts, but courts may be able to use tools they already have to solve this problem, says Samir Parikh at Wake Forest University.

  • Series

    Racing Corvettes Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    The skills I use when racing Corvettes have enhanced my legal practice in several ways, because driving, like practicing law, requires precision, awareness and a good set of brakes — complete with the wisdom to know how and when to use them, says Kat Mateo at Olshan Frome.

  • Opinion

    At 100, Federal Arbitration Act Is Used To Thwart Justice

    Author Photo

    The centennial of the Federal Arbitration Act, a law intended to streamline dispute resolution in commercial agreements, is an opportunity to reflect on its transformation from a tool of fairness into a corporate shield that impedes the right to a fair trial, says Lori Andrus at the American Association for Justice.

  • Opinion

    Attorneys Must Act Now To Protect Judicial Independence

    Author Photo

    Given the Trump administration's recent moves threatening the independence of the judiciary, including efforts to impeach judges who ruled against executive actions, lawyers must protect the rule of law and resist attempts to dilute the judicial branch’s authority, says attorney Bhavleen Sabharwal.

  • The Math Of Cross-Examination: Less Is More, More Is Less

    Author Photo

    When conducting cross-examination at trial, attorneys should remember that “less is more, and more is less” — limiting both the scope of questioning and the length of each query in order to control the witness’s testimony and keep the factfinders’ attention, says Thomas Innes at the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

  • Ga. Tort Reform Bill May Help Dampen 'Nuclear' Verdicts

    Author Photo

    Many aspects of the tort reform bill just passed by the Georgia Legislature — including prohibitions on suggesting damage amounts to juries, and limits to recovering phantom damages — face opposition from the plaintiffs bar, but are a key first step toward addressing excessive damage awards in the state, say attorneys at Alston & Bird.

  • Rethinking 'No Comment' For Clients Facing Public Crises

    Author Photo

    “No comment” is no longer a cost-free or even a viable public communications strategy for companies in crisis, and counsel must tailor their guidance based on a variety of competing factors to help clients emerge successfully, says Robert Bowers at Moore & Van Allen.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Product Liability archive.