Category: State Courts
-
Salsa Maker Alleges Adulterated Tortilla Chips Caused Stroke, Emotional Distress
A Texas man alleges the tortilla chips provided for his food demonstrations were rancid and adulterated with a salt shaker and a dirty napkin, threatening his business relationships and causing him emotional distress. Henry’s Dream Distrib. v. El Matador Foods, No. 2017-46884 (Tex. Dist. Ct., Harris Cty., filed July 14, 2017). The plaintiff asserts that…
-
Plaintiff Claims Legal Malpractice in Product Liability Suit Against Townsend Farms
A California man has filed a legal malpractice claim against lawyers who allegedly failed to represent him adequately in his suit against fruit processor Townsend Farms, in which he claimed he contracted hepatitis A after eating the company’s Organic Antioxidant Blend. Durrell v. Taylor, Sullivan & Mondorf, No. BC667419 (Cal. Sup. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.,…
-
Florida Supreme Court Upholds Veto of Payments for Citrus-Tree Removals
After years of litigation over whether Florida should reimburse residents whose healthy citrus trees were cut down in an effort to eradicate citrus canker, the Florida Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Rick Scott’s veto of $37.4 million appropriated by the state legislature that would have paid judgments to homeowners in two counties. Bogorff v. Scott,…
-
Appeals Court Upholds Pause on Chicago SSB Tax
The Illinois Appellate Court has upheld a temporary restraining order that stopped a proposed one-cent per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from going into effect in Cook County on July 1, 2017. Illinois Retail Merchs. Ass’n v. Cook Cty. Dep’t of Revenue, No. 2017L050596 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cty., filed June 27, 2017). The Illinois Retail…
-
Beer Distributor To Pay $2-Million Fine For Trade Practice Violations
The attorney general of New Jersey has announced an “unprecedented” $2-million fine in a settlement with a craft beer and spirit wholesaler accused of trade practice violations. Div. of Alcoholic Beverage Control v. Hunterdon Brewing Co. LLC, No. L0002 (N.J. Dep’t of Law Public Safety, consent order filed May 31, 2017). New Jersey alleged that…
-
Appeals Court Upholds Philadelphia SSB Tax
A Pennsylvania appeals court has upheld Philadelphia’s tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), rejecting arguments that it is a duplicate sales tax or is preempted by state tax laws. Williams v. City of Philadelphia, Nos. 2077, 2078 (Pa. Commonwealth Ct., order entered June 14, 2017). The court held that the subject matter of…
-
Little Caesars Faces Class Action Over “Halal” Pizza Containing Pork
A Muslim man who alleges he was served pork pepperoni on a pizza sold as halal has filed a $100-million putative class action against Little Caesar Enterprises. Bazzi v. Little Caesar Pizza, 17-7931 (Mich. Cir. Ct. Wayne Cty., filed May 25, 2017). According to the complaint, the plaintiff ordered the pizza at a franchise location…
-
Chobani, Alex Jones Settle Defamation Claims
Infowars founder Alex Jones has reportedly agreed to retract his statements concerning Chobani LLC’s production facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, after Chobani filed a defamation lawsuit. Jones’ website published a video asserting that Chobani’s Idaho facility, which employs a number of refugees, was linked to a crime and a rise in incidents of tuberculosis. “During…