Search

The article reports that a jury in California awarded $269.2 million in damages to the television production company Celador International Ltd. in its civil action against Walt Disney Co. Celador had charged that Disney had concealed royalties due it for licensing fees of the successful television game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

The article reports that Smartphone company Samsung Electronics Co. is ready to pay compensation to Smartphone company Apple Inc. after denial of its latest appeal in the U.S. District Court in San Jose, California and mentions the views of Samsung spokeswoman Danielle Meister Cohen, on the same.

The article discusses the possibility of lawsuits against Merck & Co. over the osteoporosis drug Fosamax. A case against the company for its painkiller Vioxx resulted in huge punitive damages, weakening the company's stance in the industry. Now the Fosamax case, which alleges Merck marketed and distributed the drug despite knowing about dangerous side effects, could go the same way.

Focuses on a growing practice in the United States where small companies, armed with a broad patent or two, sue larger companies for patent infringement. Example of Douglas Fougnies and Larry Day, who sue cell phone companies for patent infringement; Amount awarded to Fougnies and Day for damages from Boston Communications Group Inc. and four other companies over alleged misuse of a 1998 patent; Reasons why hedge funds and other institutional investors are financing companies that buy up patent portfolios; Comments from Paul Tobin, founder and chairman of Boston Communications, regarding individuals like Fougnies and Day, whom he calls "patent trolls"; Other examples of patent infringement involving Microsoft Corp. and Research In Motion Ltd.; Lawsuits filed by Acacia Technologies, which has acquired 120 patents in areas ranging from credit-card fraud protection to hearing aids.

Reports that Morgan Stanley must pay billionaire financier Ronald Perelman $1.45 billion in punitive and actual damages after a Florida state-court jury ruled that Morgan Stanley had behaved improperly when Perelman sold one of his companies to Sunbeam Corporation. Background on the civil lawsuit and total damages awarded to Perelman; Background on Perelman, chairman of cosmetics giant Revlon Inc. and legendary corporate raider; Focus on a number of senior executives at Morgan Stanley; Views of analysts; How the large verdict award comes at an awkward time for Philip Purcell, chief executive of Morgan Stanley, who has been facing a group of former executives who seek his ouster; Role of Judge Elizabeth Maass.

The article reports that energy company Royal Dutch Shell PLC agreed to pay $80 million to compensate Nigerians in the Bodo fishing community in the Niger Delta, impacted by oil spills in 2008 and 2009 along the Trans Niger Pipeline operated by Shell.

The article discusses lawsuits against the discount airline Norwegian Air Shuttle, focusing on claims made by passengers, represented by the Swedish company TRS Travelright, seeking compensation after experiencing delays on 787 jetliners.

The article discusses a multi-million dollar compensation claim which was filed in 2013 by the family of British businessman Neil Heywood who was allegedly murdered by Chinese Communist Party leader Bo Xilai's wife Gu Kailai in 2011, focusing on Gu Kalai's trial for Heywood's poisoning death.

The article focuses on the decision of U.S. Federal District Judge Eldon Fallon to award 2.6 million U.S. dollars to seven Virginia families who filed a lawsuit against Chinese drywall manufacturer Taishan Gypsum Company Ltd.

The article focuses on the criticism over the 9.5-million-dollar settlement offered by Facebook Inc. on charges of improper sharing information on customers' online product purchases and other activities as over 30% of the money will go to lawyers of plaintiffs while the remaining will go to a foundation that protects privacy rights.

The article reports on the 28 million U.S. dollars in punitive damages ordered by a Pennsylvania jury that Pfizer Inc. must pay to plaintiff Donna Kendall who claimed that she developed breast cancer after taking its hormone-therapy drugs, on November 23, 2009. Her lawyer Tobias Millrood said that the ruling reflects the need for big pharmaceutical companies to prioritize safety and well-being of consumers over profit. The court also ordered Pfizer to pay 75 million dollars in punitive damages to plaintiff Connie Barton in a separate case.

The article reports on a patent-infringement lawsuit filed by LG Electronics Inc. against electronics manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. It notes that a compensation is demanded by LG. According to a spokeswoman from LG, the lawsuit focuses on a patent that LG holds for the ice-making system in the fresh food compartment.

The article reports on the $6.8 million compensation provided by Wyeth to Diana Levine of Vermont after misadministration of the drug Phenergan caused the amputation of her hand and forearm. The business community is asking for exemption from lawsuits as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the label. However, the jury decided the label should have informed of the dangers of intravenous injection. U.S. Justices David Souter and Samuel Alito also believe the product information was inadequate.

The article reports on the agreement of Norfolk Southern Corp. to a proposed class-action settlement for personal injury claims in chlorine spill.

Reports that parties to the U.S. Justice Department's huge lawsuit against the tobacco industry are awaiting a crucial ruling that could come at any time. How the federal government is seeking $20 billion in awards; Why its attempt to recover that sum could be thrown out by an appellate court; Implications for the tobacco industry if the appeals court sides with the U.S.; Background on the case, which contends that major tobacco companies committed fraud and should forfeit all past proceeds from their wrongdoing; Views of legal analysts; Outlook.

This article discusses "appeal-bond caps" which legally protect cigarette makers from massive suit settlements. State legislation in favor of the caps; How they work; State funding; Criticism from health advocacy groups.

Focuses on how investors can claim damages in the class-action lawsuit settlement reached by Citigroup Inc. with shareholders of the former WorldCom Inc. Details of the settlement agreement; Investors that can claim a piece of the settlement; Process by which the settlement agreement must be approved before shareholders can claim money; How investors can file a claim; Amount awarded to investors from several settlements in the past four years. INSET: Following The Money.

Focuses on potential litigation and liability facing International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) after a $20 million civil judgment against the company. Details of the case against IFF, in which workers are charging the company's butter-flavoring mixture caused damage to their lungs; Number of workers at a popcorn factory in Marion (Ohio) that have sued IFF citing similar charges; Reaction from IFF to the decision, suggesting it provides buyers of its product safe-handling instructions; View of legal experts regarding the awarding of actual damages; Assessment of IFF, suggesting it is not big enough to survive verdicts like this without material damage.

Focuses on the insurance payouts related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Details of a fax sent by Silverstein Properties Inc.'s risk manager, Robert Strachan, to a lawyer at a government agency, which may limit the payout to the firm, which lost four workers in the terrorist attacks; Scribbled notes made by Strachan, suggesting Silverstein may not get what they are looking for in compensation damages; Claims made by Larry Silverstein regarding the attacks being two separate occurrences; Speculation about Silverstein's future role in the rebuilding of Ground Zero based on the outcome of his case; Discussion of the insurance trial involving Silverstein Properties and Swiss Reinsurance Co.

Reports that industries facing billions of dollars in potential tort liability are cheering a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that could place significant limits on punitive damages. Belief of lawyers for both plaintiffs and defendants that the ruling leaves state courts leeway in applying the limits; Possibility that the ruling could affect cases that are set for trial and also awards being appealed; Observation by lawyers that punitive damages are awarded in very few cases; Explanation of the Supreme Court's ruling, which struck down a jury's award of $145 million in punitive damages to a Utah couple, who had sued State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. following a car accident in which the husband had been found liable; Possibility that the ruling could have a major impact on several tobacco cases.

Reports on an offer by the government of Libya to pay a large sum of money to families of the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 which was bombed by Libyan terrorists over Lockerbie, Scotland. Concern that the payment would help legitimize the leadership of Moammar Gadhafi; Details on the legal action which resulted in Libya's agreement to pay damages. INSET: Settlement Details.

Reports on plans of accounting firm Arthur Andersen to pay a settlement to the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, which was invested heavily in Enron Corp. How the Baptist Foundation sued Andersen, which was Enron's auditor; Details on the criminal indictment against Arthur Andersen.

Discusses lawsuits in the U.S. against corporations over asbestos-related cancer. How the sickest plaintiffs are receiving smaller payouts as defendant companies go bankrupt as a result of the suits; Details on the increased number of asbestos-related lawsuits; The Manville Personal Injury Trust, from which claimants typically seek payments; Statistical data.

Focuses on the lawsuit filed against Ernst and Young LLP and its Ernst and Young International Incorporated unit on December 1, 1997 by the bankruptcy trustee of the former Merry-Go-Round Enterprise Incorporated for punitive and compensatory damages. Amount of the proposed settlement; Circumstances surrounding the case; Additional related information.

Reports the award of punitive and compensatory damages to Katie Rodriquez by the Suzuki Corp. and its American distributor, American Suzuki Motor Corp. Recollection of the vehicular accident in St. Louis, Missouri in February 1990; Arguments by Suzuki attorneys on the court ruling.

Reports that former sales manager Deloris Beckwith was awarded the sum of $4.8 million in a lawsuit filed against Dillard's Inc. Claims brought against Dillard's; Yearly earnings of Beckwith; Comments from Dillard's attorney, James Darr.

Focuses on the efforts of the United States Congress to curb punitive damages awarded to plaintiffs. Recount of a case involving Ira Gore and Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG, in which Gore was awarded $4 million in punitive damages; Status of lawsuit-reform legislation currently in Congress, noting U.S. President Bill Clinton may veto any sweeping changes; Efforts of the U.S. Supreme Court to find a constitutional basis for limiting damages; View of the Supreme Court on the decision to award Gore four million dollars; Comments from Gore's attorney, A. W. Bolt, regarding the BMW's deception of customers; BMW's policy regarding information disclosure to consumers.