#1 Why Did Todd Engel Lose His Sight?New Brunswick, NJ - On April 24, Todd Engel filed an Ozempic lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County, alleging that Novo Nordisk failed to warn him and his doctor that taking Ozempic increased his risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), an irreversible form of blindness. NAION is one of the dangerous side effects often linked to Ozempic, although Novo Nordisk has consistently maintained that NAION is not an adverse drug reaction to Ozempic and other GLP-1 RA class drugs. To reduce the manufacturer’s argument to a legal maxim, “correlation does not imply causation.”
#2 California Moves to Ban AI-Driven Hiring BiasSacramento, CA - On March 21, the California Civil Council of the Civil Rights Department voted to approve rules under the California labor code that would outlaw AI-driven discrimination in hiring. There are several more steps to go before the rules become effective on July 1.
#3 Veteran Widow Awarded $1.3 Million for Medical MalpracticeBuxton, ME - A veteran’s widow filed a medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government and has been awarded $1.3 million. Janet Palmer’s husband died at a VA Medical Center in 2020 and she filed the medical malpractice complaint in 2023. The Government admits that its employees and agents were negligent in its care and treatment of Mr. Roy Palmer, who was 69 years old and a U.S. Army veteran.
#4 LA Residents’ Palisades Wildfire Lawsuit Includes Two JudgesLos Angeles, CA - Two federal district judges whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades wildfire have joined hundreds of their neighbors in lawsuits accusing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) of failing to properly prepare for the wildfire and respond when the blaze broke out.
#7 California Court’s “Employer Friendly” Decision May Come Back to BiteLos Angeles, CA - On April 21, the California Court of Appeal held that Vicar Operating, Inc. had not broken California law by holding workers to their prospective waiver of meal periods. The decision has been described as “surprisingly employer-friendly,” but the court has also carefully laid out what employees must plead to succeed in future class action lawsuits under Section 512 of the California Labor Code.
#8 Former Twitter Employee’s Unlawful Discharge Claim Gets Go-AheadSanta Clara, CA - A former Twitter Chief Marketing Officer, seeking to recover employment benefits she alleges were withheld, filed an unlawful discharge lawsuit last November against X, Elon Musk and other defendants. She was allegedly fired after recommending that Musk meet with an employee who disagreed with letting former President Donald Trump back on the platform.Last month, a U.S. District Judge denied defendants’ motion to dismiss because Ms. Berland has plausibly pled entitlement to injunctive relief and thus an ERISA claim, according to court documents.
#9 The Truth About Workers’ Comp: What to Do After a Workplace InjurySan Diego, CA - No one ever expects to get hurt on the job, but accidents happen - on construction sites, in office buildings, while driving for work, or even during routine tasks. The aftermath can be overwhelming. Suddenly, your focus shifts from your daily responsibilities to doctor visits, paperwork, and financial stress. If you're wondering how to get work comp payment after an accident in San Diego, you're not alone and you're not without options. Understanding your rights is the first step toward regaining control.
#10 Environmental Organization Hit with Unpaid Wages LawsuitLos Angeles, CA - On November 22, 2024, Dana Smith brought a class-action unpaid wages lawsuit against Heal the Bay, a California environmental nonprofit organization. Dana Smith v. Heal the Bay alleges that the nonprofit failed to pay minimum wages, overtime wages, provide meal and rest breaks, reimburse expenses paid, and provide accurate wage statements, all in violation of the California Labor Code. The Los Angeles Superior Court has scheduled a hearing for July 28.
