Employment & Labor

As the government shifts its focus from coronavirus containment to restarting the economy, discussions have begun in Congress regarding the second pandemic relief bill, in particular, the issue of providing immunity for businesses from lawsuits related to the pandemic. As companies reopen, employees want to return to work without the risk of getting sick. At the same time, employers want liability protection from workers who might get COVID-19 on the job and decide to sue. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who will oversee much of the coronavirus relief legislation, thinks a lawsuit shield for companies against possible claims must be included.

Consumer Reports reported that a class action lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia against Ikea for marketing and selling dressers that it knew were hazards to consumers, and issuing "feeble" and "inadequate" recalls, which included failing to honor refunds. The lead plaintiffs are Diana and John Dukich, the parents of a toddler who died after being crushed by a Malm dresser.

Seven teens, representing students from Detroit's worst-performing public schools, reached a $94.4 million deal with the state to fund literacy-related programming. The settlement comes after four years since the class-action lawsuit was filed against former Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder. It claimed that students were deprived of access to literacy because of a lack of books, teachers, and poor building conditions.

California drivers have asked a federal judge to certify their consolidated class-action lawsuit. They claim that Uber disregarded a state worker classification law by labeling drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, denying them proper wages, sick leave, and expense reimbursements. California is suing Uber and Lyft for the same reason.

A class action notice is a form of written communication, such as a postcard, email, letter, newspaper or magazine ad, informing individuals of a filed or pending case and the legal rights they may exercise at that time.

A Southwest Airlines traveler alleges he was double-charged early boarding fees when he was required to reschedule a flight that was canceled by the airline company.

California truck driver and Lead Plaintiff Augustus Mondrian filed a class-action lawsuit against Trius Trucking for misclassifying him and other drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. The claim states that Trius paid its drivers on a piece-rate basis and failed to compensate them with minimum wage for company work performed outside of driving.