South Carolina News

Three states have joined a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Dodd-Frank Act, complaining that it gives the government too much power to take over and liquidate nonbank companies whose failure would jeopardize the financial system.

AstraZeneca Plc has agreed to a $26 million settlement with the state of South Carolina to settle a lawsuit accusing it of misleading consumers about the risks associated with taking the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley asked legislators in her second State of the State address Wednesday evening to reduce income taxes, further clamp down on unions, restructure government, and pass a loser-pays provision on civil lawsuits.

A lawsuit by a kidnapper against his victims for not helping him evade police tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's (ILR) survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2011, released today.

The award, announced Wednesday, recognized Haley for her commitment to legal reform in South Carolina. Republican Haley and the GOP-controlled state Legislature passed a bill last session that caps punitive damages in S.C. lawsuits.

Under the proposal, it would be "an unlawful employment practice" if a business with 15 or more employees refused to hire a person "because of the individual's status as unemployed." Although it would be almost impossible to prove this, unsuccessful job applicants could sue and recover damages for violations, just as when an employer discriminates on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, sex or national origin.