Category Archives: litigation

Federal Appeals Court blocks Enforcement of EPA Cross State Rule until Dozens of Power Company Lawsuits are Resolved

The rule requires reduction in emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which the auto industry successfully undertook decades ago. The Appeals court will consider the legality of the rule sometime next year. Continue reading

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BP to Pay $426,500, Reserve $240 Million for EPA Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that several subsidiaries of BP America Inc. have agreed to pay a $426,500 fine, and ensure that more than $240 million in funds are secured to resolve violations of hazardous waste, drinking water and Superfund financial assurance regulations. Continue reading

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Daimler Employee Arrested, Detained Under Controversial Alabama Immigration Law

The controversial Alabama immigration law requires the proper papers be carried by foreigners, including employees of firms investing in the state. Daimler, of course, is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with billions invested thus far and recently announced millions more will be added to increase production. Continue reading

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EPA Ordered to Check State Plans Cutting Haze Pollutants

EPA initially issued a rule in 1999 requiring states to submit regional haze plans. These plans were due in December 2007. National Parks Conservation Association and other environmental groups sued the agency in August 2011 to take action on these plans. Today’s consent decree resolves the litigation. Continue reading

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PBGC Sues Bendix for Pension Debt from Plant Closing

The action against German-owned Bendix is the first time PBGC has had to go to court to compel a company to cover pension obligations from a plant closing. Continue reading

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Pelican Oil Refinery Guilty of Clean Air Act Crimes in Louisiana

If the court sentences according to the terms in today’s plea agreement, Pelican will pay $12 million in criminal penalties, including $2 million in community service payments that will go toward various environmental projects in Louisiana, including air pollution monitoring. This would mark the largest ever criminal fine in Louisiana for violations of the Clean Air Act. Continue reading

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Facebook Posting Costs Chicago BMW Salesperson His Job

A National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge ruled this week that Knauz BMW, a Chicago area car dealership, did not wrongfully terminate an employee for his Facebook postings. Back in May the NLRB alleged unlawful termination of an employee … Continue reading

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EPA Sues MotorScience for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations. More than 24,000 Chinese Vehicles Were Illegally Imported

The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint against MotorScience, Inc. and the owner of the company for allegedly causing the importation of more than 24,000 uncertified vehicles from China that … Continue reading

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Kia Loses $40 Million for Death Caused by Defective Seatbelt

At the trial evidence was introduced by the law firm Cunningham Bounds that said in 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration inquired about the buckle problem, and in late December 2002 Kia issued a safety defect recall, but only for model years 1995 through 1998 vehicles.

Kia in response to the verdict said, “We maintain that the evidence at trial clearly demonstrated that the vehicle’s occupants were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. We will petition the court to set aside the verdict and if necessary, file an appeal with the Alabama Supreme Court.” Continue reading

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Toyota Outlines Legal Woes in SEC Filing and Says Amounts Accrued for Defense, Thus Far, Will Not Have a Material Effect

However, Toyota also said that it cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued. This means that the resolution of the lawsuits could have an adverse effect on Toyota’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Ford Motor Company’s attempt to improve its credit rating was recently impeded when a class action suit previously considered by Ford as not material resulted in a $2 billion judgement against it. Continue reading

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Ford to Appeal $2 Billion Ruling for Overcharging Dealers

Ford Motor Company says that it will appeal a $2 billion ruling against it by an Ohio judge in a class action lawsuit by Ford dealers. The judge found that Ford overcharged its truck dealers for 11 years on sales of almost 500,000 trucks. Ford apparently did not inform all dealers equally of discounts available. The judge called them hidden discounts. Continue reading

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Toyota Recall Study Finds Adversarial Relationship with NHTSA

The Quality Report, since it was paid for by Toyota, has already come under attack for bias from organizations linked to product liability lawyers. Nonetheless, the Report describes Toyota’s attitude toward federal safety regulators as “adversarial.” Unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems are implicated in thousands of incidents and more than 90 alleged deaths. Continue reading

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Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 833,000 Honda, Acura Models

All automakers typically try to limit the number of vehicles covered in recalls or service actions to cut down on expenses and limit damage to their reputations. However, as investigations proceed the population of affected vehicles sometimes expands due to uncertainties around the root cause or inability to identify exactly how many parts are affected. Continue reading

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ACLU Seeks Records about Alleged State Police “Secret Searches” of Driver Cell Phones During Traffic Stops.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is in an ongoing battle with the Michigan State Police (MSP) who refuse to release information regarding the use of portable data extraction devices (DEDs) that can allegedly secretly capture personal information from cell phones during routine traffic stops. Continue reading

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NLRB Issues Complaint against Boeing for Unlawfully Moving 787 Airline Work to A Non-Union Facility in South Carolina

Specifically, the Machinists union charged that the decision to transfer the line was made to retaliate against union employees for participating in past strikes and to chill future strike activity, which is protected under the National Labor Relations Act. Continue reading

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