Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Author: Gibbons P.C.

Legislative Fixes to Keep Pharmaceutical Companies in NJ

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Posted in Healthcare

On June 24, 2016

In recent years, New Jersey has — at times — been deemed a “Judicial Hell Hole” by the American Tort Reform Association. The expense of defending thousands of mass tort products liability cases in New Jersey, as well as other costs of doing business in New Jersey, have resulted in some pharmaceutical companies relocating out of state. To halt the trend of businesses leaving New Jersey, the legislature could consider the following three actions to incentivize New Jersey companies to remain in-state. Provide an absolute defense to pharmaceutical companies sued for a failure to warn claim if the warning was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Michigan has adopted, MCL 600.2946(5), which, subject to two exceptions, establishes an absolute defense for drug manufacturers and sellers in a products liability action, where the drugs complied with FDA standards and labeling. In New Jersey, a bill similar to MCL has been introduced. While N.J.S. 2A:58C-4 of the New Jersey Products Liability Act (“NJPLA”) provides for a rebuttable presumption of adequacy with respect to a drug label where the drug is approved by the FDA, an absolute defense in these circumstances would be more appropriate. The pharmaceutical industry is among the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. The unique approval process required by law before...

EPA Provides Look Into Pending Financial Assurance Regulations

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Posted in Environmental and Green Issues

On June 13, 2016

Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA” or “the Agency”) shared some preliminary details regarding its impending proposal of financial assurances regulations for the hardrock mining industry. These regulations, which are still under consideration by the Agency, will likely serve as a harbinger of the financial assurances requirements EPA intends to impose on other industries, and collectively, they have the potential to have a significant financial impact on parties responsible for cleaning up contaminated properties.

Seventh Circuit Creates Circuit Split, Striking Down Agreement to Arbitrate Employment Claims on an Individual Basis

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Posted in Alternative Dispute Resolution

On June 8, 2016

On May 26, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued its decision in Lewis v. Epic Systems Corp., becoming the first federal court of appeals to decide that an agreement between an employer and an employee to arbitrate wage-and-hour claims only on an individual basis, as opposed to a class action basis, is unenforceable. The court’s opinion has created a circuit split, as the Second, Fifth, and Eighth Circuits have enforced similar agreements.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Proposes Changes to Eagle Management Program

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On May 11, 2016

On May 4, 2016, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) proposed amendments to regulations governing its comprehensive eagle conservation and management program. The proposal follows a successful challenge by environmental groups to FWS’ prior attempt to change its eagle rules, which was tossed out by a federal judge in 2013. The proposed modifications include changes to the manner by which FWS issues permits allowing otherwise prohibited activities which may unintentionally injure or disturb golden and bald eagles.

Legal Issues to Consider as Intern Season Approaches

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Posted in Wage and Hour

On May 11, 2016

With summer around the corner, it is a good time for a refresher on legal implications when hiring interns. Specifically, when must interns be paid and what other legal protections do interns have? Wage and Hour Issues – As has been widely publicized in recent years, a number of companies who utilize unpaid interns have found themselves the object of lawsuits. It is thus important for companies to make an informed decision on the compensation issue before the hiring process begins.

Governor Christie Vetoes Offshore Wind Bill

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On May 9, 2016

Recently, Governor Christie vetoed legislation designed to allow additional applications for offshore wind projects seeking approval from state regulators. The now-defunct bill, S988, sponsored by Senators Bob Smith (D-Middlesex) and Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic), sought to allow the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“BPU”) to open a 30-day period for the submission of offshore wind project applications. More specifically, the bill would have allowed BPU to accept and approve “a qualified wind energy project that is located in territorial waters offshore of [a] municipality in which casino gaming is authorized,” i.e. a wind project offshore from Atlantic City.

Supreme Court Accepts Use of Representative Sample To Prove Classwide Liability

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Posted in Class Action Defense / Labor

On May 2, 2016

In Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Bouaphakeo, the Supreme Court of the United States definitively answered the question of whether statistical “representative evidence” may be used in class actions to establish that “questions of law or fact common to class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members” pursuant to Rule 23(b)(3). According to the Court’s much-anticipated opinion, the answer is yes: “Its permissibility turns not on the form a proceeding takes – be it a class or individual action – but on the degree to which the evidence is reliable in proving or disproving the elements of the relevant cause of action.”

Remedial Investigation Deadline Looms for New Jersey Contaminated Sites

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On April 21, 2016

In less than three weeks, the statutory deadline to complete a site-wide remedial investigation (“RI”) for many contaminated sites in New Jersey will pass. Any site for which an RI has not been completed will be subject to direct oversight of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”), which would come with additional costs, less control over the remediation, and other burdens for responsible parties. Accordingly, responsible parties and their Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (“LSRPs”) should do everything in their power to complete an RI by the statutory deadline: May 7, 2016.

EEOC to Release Respondent Position Statement to Charging Party Upon Request

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Posted in Policies and Handbooks

On April 7, 2016

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued new, nationwide procedures allowing a Charging Party or his/her representative to request copies of Respondent employer’s position statement and non-confidential attachments during the investigation of his/her charge of discrimination. The new procedures apply to all position statements submitted after January 1, 2016. Employers must be cognizant of this new rule and strategically craft positions statements with an eye towards disclosure. Specifically, employers need to carefully separate confidential information into separately labeled attachments to avoid inadvertent disclosure to the Charging Party.

Department of Labor’s New “Persuader” Rule Requires Employers and Labor Relations Consultants to Publicly Disclose Arrangements

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Posted in Labor

On March 31, 2016

On March 24, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) published a final rule imposing new reporting requirements under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (“LMRDA”) that could impede employers’ communications with their workers about unions. The rule will take effect on April 25, and will cover arrangements, agreements, and payments between employers and their labor relations consultants – including their attorneys – beginning July 1, 2016.

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