News in Brief May 2 – Quaker, Ferrari and More

Ferrari Accused of Hiding Total Engine Failure Defect

Ferrari is facing a proposed class action claiming that it hid a defect that could lead to complete engine failure. The suit says that the automaker’s 2004-2009 F430s contain a defect in which the exhaust manifold cracks and the pieces get drawn back into the engine – where they can cause significant damage. Plaintiff Wade E. Morrison alleges that the defect can render the vehicles useless at any time, even while in motion.

Roscoe’s Chicken Hit with Discrimination Lawsuit

The operators of several Roscoe’s Chicken restaurants (Amusement Foods Inc. and Shoreline Foods Inc.) have been hit with allegations of discrimination, wrongful termination and failure to give proper rest breaks. Plaintiff Anitra Simmons claims that she was discriminated against and eventually fired for having darker skin than her African American co-workers, despite being the same race. Simmons also says that she was required to clock out for breaks she didn’t take.

Nissan Recalls Cars Over Air Bag Systems

Nissan has announced a recall of more than 3 million vehicles because of a potential defect in their air bag systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the air bag systems can fail to register that a passenger is present, turning off the passenger airbag and putting the rider at risk for severe injuries in the event of a crash. Nissan says that it will inform owners of the affected models about the recall within the next 60 days.

The affected models include:

• 2015 Murano
• 2013-2016 NV200
• 2014-2016 NV200 Taxi
• 2013 Infiniti JX35
• 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50
• 2014-2016 Infiniti QX60
• 2013-2017 Pathfinder
• 2014-2017 Rogue
• 2013-2016 Altima
• 2013-2016 Leaf
• 2013-2016 Sentra
• 2016-2017 Maxima
• 2015-2016 City Express (Manufactured for Chevrolet)

Pennsylvania Oil Company Hit with Overtime Class Action

EQT Production Co. has been accused of misclassifying its employees and failing to pay them for their overtime work. According to the lawsuit, EQT employees could put in up to 84 hours of work in a week without getting overtime pay – all because they were classified as independent contractors. The plaintiff claims that the oil and natural gas company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.

Quaker Oats Facing False Advertising Lawsuit

The Quaker Oats Company has been accused of deceptively advertising its oatmeal products as “100% natural.” According to the lawsuit, Quaker’s products aren’t “all natural” because Quaker uses glyphosate (classified as a probable human carcinogen) as both an herbicide and as a drying agent during the oats’ production. The proposed class action isn’t saying that Quaker is doing anything illegal when it comes to the making of its products, just that its aggressive advertising and marketing strategy is misleading.