USA Archive - Law Commentary

Exterior view of the Clearway Clinic, a crisis pregnancy center in Worcester, Massachusetts, with boarded windows and signage indicating it offers free confidential pregnancy help.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed After Massachusetts Crisis Center Failed to Diagnose an Ectopic Pregnancy

A new lawsuit accuses a crisis pregnancy center in Massachusetts of deceptive advertising which resulted in the failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy and created a life-threatening emergency for the center’s patient. The lawsuit was filed in Worcester Superior Court last Thursday against the anti-abortion Clearway Clinic in Worcester, Massachusetts.... Read More about Class Action Lawsuit Filed After Massachusetts Crisis Center Failed to Diagnose an Ectopic Pregnancy

President Joe Biden delivering remarks on student loan forgiveness, with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in the background.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

Late last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive federal student loans exceeded his executive authority. The Court’s decision will prevent tens of millions of indebted Americans from seeing as much as $10,000 or $20,000 in student debt erased. The 6-3 majority ruling was... Read More about Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

3M Agrees to Pay $10.3 Billion to Settle Suits Over “Forever” Chemicals in Drinking Water Systems, Impacting 19 Million

3M, the $54.41 billion manufacturer of chemicals, must pay a minimum of $10.3 billion to settle numerous lawsuits. The agreement will pay water providers for forever chemicals, which are chemicals that do not naturally degrade and are linked to dangerous health issues, found in drinking water. The 3M agreement follows... Read More about 3M Agrees to Pay $10.3 Billion to Settle Suits Over “Forever” Chemicals in Drinking Water Systems, Impacting 19 Million

A view of an airport security screening area with passengers placing their belongings on a conveyor belt.

Airport Security Screeners Can Be Sued for Sexual Assault

Warning: This is an X-rated case. Plaintiff Michelle Leuthauser passed through a security screening checkpoint at the Las Vegas airport on the way to her gate. After a body scan, she was told she had to submit to a “groin search.” She claims that she was sexually abused during the... Read More about Airport Security Screeners Can Be Sued for Sexual Assault

A group of diverse protesters holding signs in support of affirmative action and diversity in college admissions.

Supreme Court Officially Ends Affirmative Action in Higher Education

On Thursday, the United States Supreme Court put the final nail in the coffin of affirmative action. In a divided decision, the Court ruled that colleges and universities can no longer consider race as a specific basis for granting admission, ending a decades-long debate over the legality of affirmative action... Read More about Supreme Court Officially Ends Affirmative Action in Higher Education

Industrial smokestacks emitting smoke under a clear blue sky, with power lines in the foreground.

Vietnam Violates Climate Deal Worth $15.5 Billion, Months After Signing With US and Others, by Arresting Four Climate Leaders

A $15.5 billion agreement between the US and other partners with Vietnam may be in danger, just months after the two countries signed a landmark environmental contract. The money was pledged to Vietnam as a result of the country’s willingness to stop or offset carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. The... Read More about Vietnam Violates Climate Deal Worth $15.5 Billion, Months After Signing With US and Others, by Arresting Four Climate Leaders

A person using a laptop displaying the ChatGPT interface.

Open AI, Makers of ChatGPT, Accused of Using Private User Data to Build AI Tools

The era of artificial intelligence is here. And while developers and tech leaders have only scratched the surface of what’s possible, legal obstacles continue to pop up forcing AI leaders to reexamine their operating procedures. The most recent legal challenge targets OpenAI, the makers of what’s undoubtedly been the face... Read More about Open AI, Makers of ChatGPT, Accused of Using Private User Data to Build AI Tools

Sign on the exterior wall of a building that reads "Department of Justice."

Georgia-Based Urgent Care Chain to Pay $1.6M in Whistleblower False Claims Act Lawsuit

A Georgia urgent care center has agreed to pay $1.6 million to end a lawsuit that accuses them of violating the False Claims Act after the defendants submitted Medicare claims that were improperly coded according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. In a release issued... Read More about Georgia-Based Urgent Care Chain to Pay $1.6M in Whistleblower False Claims Act Lawsuit

A woman in a pink coat addresses a crowd with balloons in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Supreme Court Rules Religious Web Designer Can Refuse to Work on Same-Sex Weddings

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Christian web designer has the legal right to turn away same-sex couples. The landmark decision is controversial not only because it opens the door for future “religious” objections to working with marginalized classes of people, but also because the case itself... Read More about Supreme Court Rules Religious Web Designer Can Refuse to Work on Same-Sex Weddings

Plaintiffs Can Sue Facebook for Discriminatory Ad Platform

George Orwell’s 1984 warned that “Big Brother is Watching You.” It’s 2023 now, and every Facebook user knows that the internet giant is the modern-day equivalent of Big Brother. Facebook knows the location, sex, ethnicity, religion, political leanings, lifestyle choices and number of children every subscriber has. Each click adds... Read More about Plaintiffs Can Sue Facebook for Discriminatory Ad Platform

A scenic view of a university campus with greenery and buildings under a bright sky.

University Janitor Destroys Over 20 Years of Scientific Research After Turning Off Freezer, Lawsuit Claims

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research university in upstate New York, has filed a lawsuit after a janitor unknowingly cost the institute over $1 million in destroyed scientific research. Joseph Harrington, a janitor contracted to clean the university’s Cogswell Building from August 2020 through to November 2020 unknowingly destroyed more... Read More about University Janitor Destroys Over 20 Years of Scientific Research After Turning Off Freezer, Lawsuit Claims

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaking at a press conference.

New York AG Lawsuit Claims Nursing Home Owners Stole $83M While Neglecting Residents

Nursing home operator Centers Health Care and its owners are facing a lawsuit filed in state court by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. James filed the suit accusing Centers Health Care and its owners of stealing $83 million in government funding. Meanwhile, facilities remained understaffed, resulting in widespread... Read More about New York AG Lawsuit Claims Nursing Home Owners Stole $83M While Neglecting Residents

Demonstrators holding signs that say "People Over Politics" outside the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Supreme Court Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court repudiated a legal theory that threatened to radically reshape the way elections are conducted in the country. If allowed to proceed unchecked, the controversial legal doctrine would have granted state lawmakers carte blanche to control state and federal elections without judicial review. The so-called... Read More about Supreme Court Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory

Menu board and kitchen area of Taqueria Garibaldi, a California-based taqueria.

Confessions of a Taco Maker: DOL Orders Cali Chain to Pay $140,000 Back Wages and Damages for Fake Priest Confessional

The Department of Labor (DOL) ordered Taqueria Garibaldi, a taqueria in California, to pay $140,000 in back wages plus damages for infractions. The owners of the restaurant, which has locations in Sacramento and Roseville, are charged with unique infractions, including allegedly hiring a “fake” priest to take confessions of employees... Read More about Confessions of a Taco Maker: DOL Orders Cali Chain to Pay $140,000 Back Wages and Damages for Fake Priest Confessional

A group of protesters marches in downtown Portland, holding signs that read "Multnomah County vs Big Oil" as they advocate against oil and gas companies.

Oregon’s Multnomah County Sues Oil and Gas Leaders Exxon Mobil, Shell, and 15 Others Over 2021 Heat Dome

Leaders of Oregon’s Multnomah County have filed a lawsuit against 17 Oil and gas companies including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and other leading players. The county is the most populated in the state, is home to landmark destination Portland, and is known for having mild but rainy weather. After... Read More about Oregon’s Multnomah County Sues Oil and Gas Leaders Exxon Mobil, Shell, and 15 Others Over 2021 Heat Dome