Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation News

Nearly 60 Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Against L’Oreal, Others Consolidated in Illinois Federal Court

Nearly 60 lawsuits claiming hair relaxer products sold by L’Oreal USA Inc and other companies cause cancer and other health problems will be consolidated in Chicago federal court, according to a Monday order from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. …

Judge Rules in Favor of 3 Policyholders With COVID-19 Claims in Consolidated Case

A federal judge denied Society Insurance’s motions to dismiss three “bellwether” lawsuits filed by hospitality businesses that were denied coverage for revenue lost because of COVID-19 public health orders. U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang in Chicago, who was assigned a …

Panel Rejects Petitions to Consolidate COVID-19 Business-Interruption Claims

A federal court on Wednesday rejected two separate petitions to consolidate lawsuits filed by policyholders against insurers that denied COVID-19 business-interruption claims under a single judge, but said it might approve consolidation of other actions that make similar claims against …

Number of Federal COVID-19 Business Interruption Lawsuits at 101 and Rising

A federal court has received notice that 101 lawsuits have been filed as of Wednesday seeking coverage from insurers for business interruption losses caused by COVID-19. Plaintiffs attorneys say they expect the number to rise into the thousands. “Ultimately, I …

Some Insurance Regulators Skeptical About Business Interruption Claims

Insurance commissioners in at least seven states have advised business owners not to get their hopes up if pursuing business-interruption claims. Scott Seaman, a partner with the Hinshaw & Culbertson law firm in Chicago, posted a blog on Friday that …

Plaintiffs Hope to Consolidate COVID-19 Business-Interruption Lawsuits

Two groups of plaintiffs — one in Philadelphia, the other in Chicago — are asking federal courts to consolidate lawsuits filed by businesses that are seeking coverage for business-interruption losses caused by coronavirus stay-home orders. Attorneys for owners of the …

Panel Rejects MGM’s Request to Consolidate Vegas Mass Shooting Suits

A panel of federal judges on Wednesday denied a request from casino operator MGM Resorts International to centralize 13 lawsuits stemming from last year’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in a written order said …