Class Action News

February 7, 2013

Frank Takes Aim at Bayer Aspirin Settlement, Hagens Berman Fees

American Lawyer | Subscription Required | February 7, 2013

Ted Frank, the conservative legal activist and bane of allegedly unfair class action settlements, has picked yet another target. This time, it's a $15 million deal that Bayer Corp. reached in May with customers who accused the company selling overpriced and non-FDA approved aspirin.

Tags: Class Action, Legal Ethics

In re Bayer Corp.: $5.1M for attorneys, <$0.5M for class?

Point of Law | February 7, 2013

Fewer than 20,000 class members have bothered to go through the arduous claim procedures in the Bayer Corp. class action, which caps recovery for most of those class members at $4 unless they saved several-year-old receipts for aspirin products. But the attorneys—led by Hagens Berman—are asking for $5.1 million for themselves.

Tags: Class Action, Legal Ethics

February 6, 2013

Clearing the way for class action

Hindu Business Line | February 6, 2013

Companies Bill 2011, which was recently passed by the Lok Sabha, prescribes several new guidelines for corporate governance. The one that permits filing class action suits against companies has, in particular, raised curiosity amongst businesses and the public.

Tags: Class Action, International

February 5, 2013

Supreme Court Asked: Are Class Actions Sacred?

Forbes | February 5, 2013

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear arguments in a case that tests a philosophical question at the heart of modern tort law: If the cost of pursuing a lawsuit exceeds its value to an individual plaintiff, is that a bad thing?

Tags: Class Action, Judiciary

Analysis: Global business groups oppose UK class-action proposal

Reuters | February 5, 2013

A groundbreaking proposal in Britain making it easier to bring antitrust class actions has business groups worldwide fearful that London will become a center for litigation abuses.

Tags: Class Action, International, Lawsuit Abuse Impact

Collective actions will fuel ‘litigation culture’

Law Society Gazette | February 5, 2013

A US industry body has added its voice to concerns about government plans to simplify collective actions under competition law.

Tags: Class Action, International, Lawsuit Abuse Impact

February 4, 2013

Obama acts to toughen computer security

Financial Times | Subscription Required | February 4, 2013

The White House is set to order stronger cybersecurity measures by the end of this month as a rash of unprecedented cyber attacks against financial institutions and energy companies are prompting some big companies to rethink the need for government intervention.

Tags: Class Action, International

February 1, 2013

Pfizer disputes suit claiming Zoloft doesn't work

Wall Street Journal | Subscription Required | February 1, 2013

The maker of Zoloft is being sued in an unusual case alleging the popular antidepressant has no more benefit than a dummy pill and that patients who took it should be reimbursed for their costs.

Tags: California, Class Action, Medical Liability

Merck Investors Win Class Cert as Vioxx Litigation Marches On

American Lawyer | Subscription Required | February 1, 2013

On Wednesday a federal judge in Newark granted class certification in the eight-year-old case, which accuses Merck and certain executives of overstating the commercial promise of Vioxx despite its health risks.

Tags: Class Action

Have Class Actions in Canada Have "Reached Maturity"?

February 1, 2013

There were a number of significant class action developments in Canada in 2012, including the “landmark” $117 million E&Y settlement in the Sino-Forest case. The developments during the past year “suggest that 2013 may be a tipping point for the maturing class action jurisprudence in Canada.”

Tags: Class Action, International