Articles by Jonathan Stempel

Judge Allows Businesses’ Lawsuits Against Insurer Over Coronavirus Losses

A federal judge in Missouri said on Wednesday a group of hair salons and restaurants can sue their insurance carrier for business interruption losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which they say caused a “direct physical loss” to their premises. …

McDonald’s Seeks to Recoup Severance Paid Ousted CEO Over Sexual Affairs

McDonald’s Corp. said on Monday it sued former Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook to recoup tens of millions of dollars in severance and benefits, claiming he covered up and lied about sexual relationships with at least three employees. The lawsuit came …

California Judge Blocks Uber, Lyft From Classifying Drivers as Contractors

A California judge on Monday granted the state’s request for a preliminary injunction blocking Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. from classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The judge signaled last week he might be leaning against …

Judge May Not Grant Injunction Forcing Uber, Lyft to Classify Drivers as Employees

A California judge signaled on Thursday he might be leaning against a request for a preliminary injunction forcing Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc. to classify drivers as employees rather than contractors. In a hearing in San Francisco Superior Court, …

Judge Voids Parts of Trump Labor Rule Limiting Coronavirus Sick Leave Eligibility

A U.S. judge on Monday voided parts of a Trump administration rule that restricted paid sick leave and emergency family leave for potentially millions of workers affected by the coronavirus. Ruling in a case brought by New York Attorney General …

California Court Denies Bayer Appeal of Roundup Verdict But Reduces Damages

Bayer AG failed to persuade a California appeals court to overturn a verdict favoring a school groundskeeper who claimed its Roundup weed killer caused his cancer but reduced the amount of damages by 74% to $20.5 million. The decision by …

Whole Foods Sued Over Disciplining Workers Wearing Black Lives Matter Face Masks

Whole Foods Market was sued on Monday by employees who accused the upscale grocery chain of punishing workers who wear “Black Lives Matter” face masks on the job. The 14 plaintiffs in the proposed nationwide class action accused Whole Foods, …

Judge Sides with Trump Over Hospitals on Price Disclosure Rule

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a challenge by hospital groups to a federal rule requiring them to disclose prices they quietly negotiate with insurers, in a victory for White House efforts to make healthcare pricing more transparent to patients. …

Court Rejects J&J Bid to Toss Baby Powder Verdict But Cuts Damages to $2.1B

A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday rejected Johnson & Johnson’s bid to throw out a jury verdict in favor of women who blamed their ovarian cancer on its baby powder and other talc products, but reduced its damages award to …

After Being Sued by Sonos, Google Sues Sonos Alleging Patent Infringement

Google filed a lawsuit accusing home speaker maker Sonos Inc. of infringing five of its patents, escalating tensions between the partners that have already led to a U.S. International Trade Commission probe. In a complaint filed on Thursday in San …