Class Actions Blog

About Steve

Steve Larson has been representing investors, consumers and employees in class actions in Oregon for over 20 years. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Stoll Berne in Portland, Oregon. 
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About the Blog

This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions. 

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Ford County Takes on Petrochemical Giants with Class Action Lawsuit Over Plastic Recycling Deception

Ford County, Kansas, has filed a class action lawsuit against petrochemical giants like ExxonMobil, accusing them of misleading the public about the recyclability of plastic. The county claims these companies, along with industry groups, falsely marketed plastic recycling as a viable solution to plastic waste, despite the U.S. recycling rate being under 10%. The lawsuit argues that these deceptive practices have contributed to a public nuisance of plastic waste. Supported by reports from the Center

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Carrier Global Reaches $730 Million Settlement Over PFAS Chemical Claims in Firefighter Foam Products

Carrier Global Corporation has agreed to a substantial $730 million settlement to address claims related to its fire protection subsidiary, Kidde-Fenwal’s, use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have come under increasing scrutiny due to their potential health risks and environmental impact. The settlement stems from numerous lawsuits alleging that Carrier’s firefighting foam products contributed to contamination and health issues, making it a significant development in the

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Settles For $2.8 Billion in Healthcare Provider Suit

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a hefty $2.8 billion settlement to wrap up a class-action lawsuit from healthcare providers who claimed the insurer engaged in unfair practices that hurt their reimbursement rates. This lawsuit highlighted some serious concerns about competition in the healthcare market, and the settlement is set to provide much-needed financial relief to thousands of affected providers. Beyond the money settlement, BCBS has also promised to improve their practices by creating

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Nike’s Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Ignites Conversations on Workplace Equality

A tentative trial date has been established in the ongoing sex discrimination lawsuit against Nike, which accuses the company of fostering a workplace culture that discriminates against women. The suit, initiated by a former employee, alleges that female staff members were consistently overlooked for promotions and subjected to unfair pay practices compared to their male counterparts. As the case progresses, it is expected to bring significant attention to issues of gender equity within corporate environments,

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Landmark Ruling Allows Class-Action Lawsuit Against L’Oréal to Proceed Over Hair Relaxer Cancer Risks

A recent ruling by a U.S. District Judge has allowed a class-action lawsuit concerning hair relaxer products, specifically targeting brands like L’Oréal and Revlon, to move forward. The lawsuit claims that these manufacturers misled consumers about the safety and effectiveness of their products, with allegations that they exaggerated benefits while downplaying potential health risks linked to cancer. The lawsuit is based on a National Institutes of Health study showing that regular users of these hair

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Wynn Resorts Shareholders to Split $70 Million Settlement

New York-based law firm Pomerantz LLP has filed a motion for preliminary approval on a $70 million settlement against Wynn Resorts Ltd. Hundreds of shareholders will split the class action settlement stemming from allegations that the company didn’t disclose the sexual misconduct of former CEO Steve Wynn. Shareholders of Wynn Resorts Ltd. allege their stock shares plummeted as a result of the 2018 sexual misconduct allegations and the failure of Wynn executives to announce any

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PFAS Detected in Trojan Condoms Prompts Proposed Class Action Suit

A proposed class action against the consumer goods company Church and Dwight has been filed in Manhattan Federal court. The popular condom brand Trojan has been called out for producing unsafe products, in particular their ‘Ultra Thin’ brand of condoms for containing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. PFAS have become known as “forever chemicals” due to the fact that they do not break down easily in the human body or environment. These forever

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Hormel and Others To Pay $57.4 Million In Wage Suppression Lawsuit

A combined $57.4 million payout has been agreed upon by three meat industry giants to settle a proposed class action lawsuit. Cargill, National Beef Packing, and Hormel have been accused of suppressing wages for workers at 140 different processing plants. This decision brings the total settlement to over $200 million since the lawsuit was initiated in 2022. Tens of thousands of workers allege a years-long conspiracy among leading processors to keep wages low through the

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Small Baltimore Business is First to File Private Lawsuit Against Container Ship Company Responsible for the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

After the Fracis Scott Key Bridge collapse, happening in March of this year, a small Baltimore business is the first to file a private lawsuit. American Publishing was one of many companies affected by the disaster, caused by a large container ship that crashed into the bridge. The class action filed by the publishing company aims to directly hold the owner and manager of the container ship accountable.

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New York Times Article Features Oregon Wildfires Class Action

The New York Times on March 22, 2024, published an article looking at the issue of utilities causing wildfires because of changed circumstances relating to climate change. The Oregon Wildfires class action, which is being led by Cody Berne at Stoll Berne, was highlighted in the article. The article can be found here. This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions. Sign

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