Legal news roundup – May 20

Posted in Firm News, In the news, Product Liability, Product Recall on May 20, 2020

Here’s a roundup of some of the top legal stories from the past week.

Johnson & Johnson to Stop Selling Talc Baby Powder

New York Times / May 20 – Johnson & Johnson is discontinuing North American sales of its talc-based baby powder. The product once defined the company’s wholesome image and they have defended it for decades despite thousands of lawsuits filed by patients who say it caused cancer. If you or a loved one used talcum powder and were then diagnosed with cancer, call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or click here.

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Volkswagen Settlement

Reuters / May 20 – Volkswagen AG has agreed to pay $9.9 million in a deal with a German court to end legal proceedings against its chairman and CEO. Hans Dieter Poetsch and Herbert Diess were accused of withholding market-moving information on rigged emissions tests.

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Authorities Arrest Men Connected to Ghosn’s Escape

Reuters / May 20 – U.S. authorities detained a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and another man in Massachusetts, both wanted by Japan. The men are charged with helping former Nissan Motor Co boss Carlos Ghosn escape Japan.

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Celebrity Cruise Line Lawsuit

Counsel Financial / May 13 – Another COVID-19-related class-action suit was filed against the cruise industry. The suit alleges that Celebrity Cruise Inc was aware of the dangerous conditions presented by a coronavirus outbreak aboard a ship due to the virus’s ability to rapidly spread and yet failed to reasonably protect passengers.

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$500 million Apple Deal

Law360 / May 15 – A California federal judge preliminarily approved Apple’s $500 million deal to end litigation accusing the company of releasing software updates that slowed down the performance of certain iPhones. Due to COVID-19, the final approval deadline was extended.

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