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Several insurance companies are refusing to cover emergency room visits, telling their policy holders/patients that they must pay for emergency services if the insurer deems the ER visit “unnecessary”. This new policy began with Anthem Insurance Company, which decides whether to pay an emergency room bill based on a doctor’s diagnosis — not the reason the patient went to the hospital. Health experts say this new policy will scare patients away from emergency departments – patients who could potentially have a life-threatening condition. Insurance attorneys are filing complaints against such insurers, claiming they violate federal and state law.

Intragastric balloon lawsuits are now taking shape after a dozen deaths were attributed to the recently-approved form of weight-loss surgery. As of June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration linked 12 deaths to the implantation of what appears to be a defective medical device. The most recent reports implicate the Orbera Intragastric Balloon, manufactured by Apollo Endosurgery Inc. and the Integrated Dual Balloon, which is manufactured by ReShape Lifesciences. Similar devices are manufactured by Obalon Therapeutics and Spatz Medical.

Washington, DC: A $16.8 million settlement has been reached in an unpaid overtime class action lawsuit pending against Kellogg's Co. If the preliminary settlement receives final approval it will end four years of litigation.

San Francisco, CA: A $10 million settlement has been agreed between Uber and plaintiffs in a discrimination class action lawsuit who alleged the ride share company did not pay its female software engineers and engineers of colour equitably compared with their male and white or Asian American peers.

Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc, the maker of Androgel, will pay $3 million to settle a defective product personal injury lawsuit, brought by a man from Oregon who alleged that his use of the testosterone replacement therapy caused him to suffer a heart attack.The lawsuit is part of a multi-district litigation (MDL) against several makers of testosterone replacement therapies, including Eli Lilly & Co., Endo, Auxilium and GlaxoSmithKline.

Charleston, NC: A $45 million settlement has been finalized ending an employment discrimination class action lawsuit brought by 37,000 former and current female managers for Family Dollar Store Inc. The plaintiffs alleged that Family Dollar Store paid them less than their male counterparts. The lawsuit was brought 15 years ago.

San Francisco, CA: A settlement has been reached in a consumer fraud class action lawsuit against Orbit Baby, Inc, which alleges deceptive marketing practices on the parts of Orbit Baby, Inc. and The ERGO Baby Carrier, Inc.

Santa Cruz, CA: A $1.51 billion settlement has been agreed between Syngenta AG and a nationwide class of plaintiffs who allege the chemical company should have delayed the release of its genetically modified corn seed until Chinese authorities, who represent a major corn market for US farmers, approved importing the GMO corn.