Our News Library

The Ethics and Roles of Hotels and Motels That Facilitate Sex Trafficking

A February 2022 study digs deep into the hospitality industry, uncovering disturbing trends and practices that mark how sex trafficking is happening right under our noses—all in the name of profit.

Discussions about sex trafficking typically conjure images of smarmy criminals running their rackets in seedy surroundings. In reality, modern traffickers count on corporate enablers—sometimes even business allies—to keep their operations running and profitable.

FPL Citizens’ Letters

The letters from incensed, confused, and frustrated Florida residents continue to stream into the Levin Papantonio Rafferty office. We are posting them here as a living log of the voices of the people.

Please feel free to add your voice.

You should be heard.

From: Bob H.

Date: February 10, 2022, at 6:37:36 AM CST

What You Need to Know About NextEra’s Role in Your Increased Utility Bill (There’s A Lot)

The last few months have seen a lot of focus on Florida Power & Light (FPL). However, local residents might want to shift their gaze a little higher up the corporate chain—all the way up to FP&L’s parent company, NextEra Energy—if they want real answers to the baffling blow of Florida’s explosive utility rates.

90 Percent of Eligible Local Governments Join $26 Billion Opioid Settlement

It looks like a $26 billion proposed settlement could move full steam ahead after 90% of 6,000 U.S. cities and counties gave their nod of approval, Reuters reported. The deal would resolve local governments’ lawsuits alleging that top drug distributors Johnson & Johnson, McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp., and Cardinal Health Inc. powered the nation’s opioid epidemic.

LPR Associate Attorney Madeline Pendley Is Named an Inweekly “Rising Star”

Inweekly has recognized Madeline Pendley, an associate attorney at Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm, as a “Rising Star” in Florida. She is listed in the 2022 edition of the well-respected publication, which strives to recognize young leaders throughout the Pensacola area.

NYU Must Face Campus Fees COVID Claims

New York University (NYU) won a battle but still has more fighting to do after a federal judge rejected a motion to dismiss a proposed class action against the institution.

LPR’s Tim O’Brien Will Try Second Bellwether Trial in Bard Hernia Mesh MDL in March

Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) Attorney Tim O’Brien will be serving as Co-Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs in the second bellwether trial for the Bard hernia mesh multidistrict litigation (MDL). The trial will commence on March 21, 2022.

EPA Is Sued Over “Secrecy Loopholes” in PFAS Reporting Requirements

Last week, advocacy groups (Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, and National PFAS Contamination Coalition) slapped the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a lawsuit alleging that the agency crafted exemptions that help manufacturers dodge the EPA’s toxics release inventory (TRI) reporting requirements.

Plaintiffs in Baby Formula NEC Lawsuits Want to Consolidate Cases

Attorneys representing plaintiffs in more than 30 lawsuits against the makers of Enfamil and Similac filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court to consolidate the lawsuits in Madison County, Illinois, according to Reuters. Eighty-five infants are represented in the claims. Defendants—which include Abbott Laboratories, Mead Johnson & Co LLC, and Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.—are all based in Illinois.

Bankruptcy judge to determine Johnson & Johnson’s protections in talc lawsuit

After Johnson & Johnson executed a divisional merger and filed for bankruptcy in October 2021, the company received protection from litigation related to its talcum powder lawsuits. Recently, the federal judge overseeing talcum litigation in New Jersey ruled that a bankruptcy judge must now determine how to proceed with the company’s current shield from lawsuits.

Slashed Aduhelm Prices Reflect Troubled Times for Biogen's Alzheimer's Drug

Biogen’s much-criticized pricing of its controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm took a nosedive from $56,000 to $28,200. The late December change in pricing strategy represents only the latest in multiple problems for the drug manufacturer.

Florida Attacks Human Trafficking by Targeting Buyers and Businesses

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Floridians are giving far more than lip service to the occasion. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this movement? Florida is targeting sex buyers, as well as the businesses that enable these purchases.

“Forever chemicals” in anti-fogging products may be harming mask and face shield wearers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many mask and face shield wearers turned to anti-fogging sprays and cloths to manage condensation on their eyeglasses and face shields. However, recent studies show that these sprays could contain dangerously high levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”.

Victims of Terrorism Join Together To Send Open Letter to Biden on Behalf of Nearly 1,000 Injured U.S. Military Veterans & Gold Star Families

Attorney Chris Paulos, of Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm, announces that nearly 1,000 victims of terrorism that the firm represents have jointly sent an open letter to President Biden. All of these victims are U.S. nationals, service members, and contractors who were killed or injured by acts of Iranian-sponsored terrorism in Iraq.

Troy and Ashley Rafferty Pledge $1 Million to Build the Rafferty Center

A pledge of $1 million from Attorney Troy Rafferty, of Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm, and his wife Ashley will double the capacity of Pensacola’s Theophalis May Resource Center at Legion Field.

Overdose Deaths Surpass 1 Million After Decades-Long Opioid Epidemic

In 2021, drug overdose deaths surpassed one million since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began collecting data in 1999. According to the CDC, nearly 841,000 deaths were reported from 1999 to 2019, and nearly 170,000 deaths were reported for 2020 and 2021 combined.

LPR Counter-Terrorism Cases Advance Into Litigation

The Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) law firm is pleased to announce an important victory in its ongoing efforts to seek justice for U.S. servicemembers and their families severely injured in terrorist attacks in Iraq. Specifically, on January 4, 2021, in Atchley, et al., v. AstraZeneca et al., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned and remanded a trial court’s dismissal of the case.

$66 Million Set Aside for Hernia Mesh Settlements

One of the biggest mass tort suits to play out in New Hampshire courts reached a critical turning point when Atrium Medical Corp. settled litigation over its hernia mesh implants, NH Business Review reported.

Zantac Bellwether Trials Slated for 2023

Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, who is overseeing the Zantac multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, outlined dates and procedures for moving ahead with bellwether trials.

Court Finds Barge Fleet Owner Negligent for Damage to Pensacola Bridge

Skanska, the owner of 27 barges that broke free from their mooring stations during Hurricane Sally in September 2020, striking and damaging the Pensacola Bay Bridge and other properties in and around the bay, lost its petition for relief from liability under the Limitation of Vessel Owner’s Liability Act.

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