Dow Settlement Signals Impact of Scalia Death on Class Actions

[eridani]

Scalia's death is certainly a sad thing for his family, but it appears to have helped the 99%

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/35460-dow-settlement-signals-impact-of-scalia-death-on-class-actions

Following Scalia's Feb. 13 death, the court's conservative wing lacks the five votes needed "to make dramatic new rules that curtail class actions," said Paul Bland, executive director of consumer advocacy group Public Justice.

Dow said in a statement that Scalia's death and the raging political fight over naming his successor meant an "increased likelihood for unfavorable outcomes for business involved in class action suits."

Two important class action cases were argued before the Supreme Court during its current term with Scalia on the bench. Based on November's oral argument, it appeared Tyson Foods Inc would lose its challenge to an almost $5.8 million class action judgment, with or without Scalia's vote.

The court had put off its decision on whether to hear Dow's case pending its decision in the Tyson Foods case.

A Wal-Mart Stores Inc challenge to another class action lawsuit also was on hold before the high court, awaiting the Tyson ruling. Wal-Mart is seeking to throw out a $187 million class action judgment over its treatment of workers in Pennsylvania.

[Orrex]

1. This is one of the many reasons that I continue to celebrate the man's death