News in Brief April 6 – The FBI, Wal-Mart and More

Zoloft Birth Defect MDL Ends in Favor of Pfizer

A Pennsylvania federal judge has granted summary judgment in favor of Pfizer in a multidistrict litigation that claimed the company’s drug Zoloft caused heart defects in babies. The judge found that the evidence presented in the cases was weak and that it, for the most part, lacked support based in epidemiology. The evidence that did support the claims against Zoloft failed to show that the drug caused the birth defects and merely showed an association between the two.

FBI Hit with Lawsuit over Terrorism Watch Lists

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been hit with a proposed class action by U.S. citizens who claim that the procedures behind the agency’s terrorism watch lists are unconstitutional. The lawsuit claims that people are added to the watch lists without any evidence and that there is no process for individuals to challenge their status as suspected terrorists. The lawsuit goes on to claim that being on one of the lists subjects people to additional airport screening (if they are allowed to fly at all), bank accounts being closed, and being unable to buy a gun.

Patriots Fans Sue the NFL Over Lost Draft Pick

In the wake of the Deflategate scandal, a group of New England Patriots fans requested a temporary restraining order that would save a first-round draft pick that the NFL previously retracted. The lawsuit claims that the NFL’s actions are unfair and an “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

Consumers Seek Revival of Wal-Mart Migraine Drug Class Action

A group of Wal-Mart customers are asking for the revival of a lawsuit that claims the retailer tricked its customers into buying more expensive headache medicine when the cheaper version was essentially the same drug. The lawsuit alleges that Wal-Mart’s Equate Migraine medicine is advertised as being a superior answer to migraines, while the cheaper version (Equate Extra Strength headache medicine) is less prominently marketed. The plaintiffs claim that this disparity leads consumers to believe that the more expensive product works better, when in reality, it doesn’t.

Three Classes Formed in Nissan Defective Engine Lawsuit

In a class action claiming that Nissan sold vehicles containing a defect that can lead to total engine failure, a California federal judge has certified three classes of Nissan drivers. The classes consist of California and Washington drivers who have had to pay for repairs due to the alleged defect, as well as a class of California drivers who haven’t had to pay for repairs yet.

Honest Co. Hit with Another Lawsuit

Jessica Alba’s Honest Co. has been hit with yet another lawsuit over the ingredients in its products. This lawsuit (filed in a California district court) claims that more of the company’s products contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) than previously believed. This suit extends the allegations to the company’s multi-surface cleaner, laundry detergent, and dish soap. Honest Co. has admitted that it does use sodium coco sulfate (SCS) and, while they are different, many scientists treat SCS and SLS as interchangeable.