#1 Seroquel Side Effects for the ElderlyPearblossom, CA - Seroquel is a neuroleptic indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder—and like most drugs carries a host of Seroquel side effects, including diabetes, tardive dyskinesia and even birth defects. However, there is a little-known use for Seroquel off-label that concerned the daughter of one Alzheimer's patient for whom she was caring.
#3 Wife Is Out, Husband Still behind Bars in $3 Million Securities Fraud SchemeTiburon, CA - A husband-and-wife team implicated in a $3 million Ponzi scheme have seen their case move forward with a plea deal on the part of Gina McGee. The latter pled guilty to securities fraud charges in a plea bargain that allows her to be released from prison. Her husband, meanwhile, remains behind bars in lieu of bail set at $5 million.
#4 Hair Relaxer Lawsuit UpdateSanta Clara, CA - As of early March, at least 8,334 hair relaxer lawsuits are pending in a federal MDL (multidistrict litigation). Following a study that linked cancer to hair straightener products in late 2022, African American women have filed product liability lawsuits claiming certain cosmetic companies caused their uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and other serious injuries.
#5 Aftermath of a Horrific Amusement Park AccidentLouisville, KY - It is not only a parent's worst nightmare but anyone's worst nightmare??"in this case an Amusement Park Accident at a popular theme park that resulted in a 13-year-old girl having both of her feet severed above the ankle. Kaitlyn Lasitter survived, and doctors were able to re-attach her right foot. But they could not save her left, and Kaitlyn now walks with a prosthesis.
#6 Equinox $36 million settlement for California Wage and Hour LawsuitsAlameda, CA - Equinox has agreed to pay $36 million to resolve two California labor lawsuits alleging the fitness company required more than 15,000 employees to perform pre-shift work without pay and to skip meal breaks. The settlement, which resolves California state and federal actions, covers those who worked for Equinox in California between April 3, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2022.
#7 Ozempic Babies, Another Side EffectSanta Clara, CA - Women on birth control or presumed to be infertile have been reporting surprise pregnancies while on Ozempic and similar medications. Referred to as “Ozempic Babies”, they add to increasing concern over the side effects of these diabetes and weight-loss drugs. Healthcare professionals, seeing an association between these medications and unexpected pregnancy on birth control, are warning that these drugs may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraception.
#8 Gig Economy Company Settles Wage Theft Lawsuit for $2.1 MillionSan Francisco, CA - Qwick, a gig economy online staffing company for hotel and restaurant workers, is required to pay its misclassified California workers $1.5 million in restitution and convert all workers to employees. This agreement settles a misclassification lawsuit brought by the City Attorney of San Francisco and it significantly reclassifies thousands of workers – permanently. Misclassified as independent contractors, workers will now be entitled to employee rights and benefits.
#9 Bard PowerPort Bellwether Trial Process on TimeSanta Clara, CA - U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell has said that the Bard PowerPort lawsuit selections will go ahead as scheduled, despite the manufacturer arguing to delay the bellwether process. Judge Campbell is presiding over all Bard PowerPort fracture and migration lawsuits filed in federal courts nationwide.
