San Diego Class Actions Law Blog

In California, a class-action lawsuit involving Apple iPods that was initially filed in 2004 and granted class-action status in Nov. 2011 is making its way through the courts with the class constituting consumers that purchased several different models of iPods during the time between Sept. 12, 2006 and March 31, 2009.

It appears that Apple is being accused of creating a monopoly through their firmware updates, blocking their consumers from playing other company's music files. Under the California Unfair Competition Law, not only consumers but other businesses as well, are protected from unfair business practices, including the building of a monopoly.

Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grills are two popular chains dotted throughout the country, including in San Diego, which are owned by Brinker. Brinker is currently being sued in a employment class-action lawsuit that is proceeding in California as a result of possible violation of employees' rights regarding breaks.

The company first came under a class-action lawsuit in 2004 with the proposed plaintiff comprising a class of around 60,000 non-unionized, hourly wage earners of the company. Many of the class were servers that stated claims of managers placing pressure on the employees to skip their allotted breaks due to inadequate staffing. Additionally, managers were reportedly threatening to cut back hours or change hours if employees were taking the break that they were entitled to.

Some employees in California have been granted class status in their case against Tata. Tata Consultancy Services is a company that outsources Indiana employees. Often companies will outsource such employees to work in the United States on client projects, paving the way for misuse of visas and employee abuse. It appears this may have been the case with Tata. The class is defined as all "non-U.S. citizens who were employed by Tata in the U.S. at any time from February 14, 2002, through June 30, 2005, and who were deputed to the U.S. after January 1, 2002."

Indian employees that were outsource have been granted class action over what they say was a breach of contract when the company made all employees that were not United States citizens forfeit their federal and state tax returns. Furthermore, the class says that Tata deducted their Indian salary from the employees' compensation. The company reportedly took maters a step further by not providing accurate earnings statements to its employees.

Many San Diego residents use Utility Consumer Action Network's website to find information on gas prices and other utility-based information. However, San Diego residents may now need to find a new source for utility-related information as Utility Consumer Action Network is set to dissolve in light of a subpoena from a federal grand jury resulting from allegations of embezzlement.

It appears multiple employees issued complaints about financial irregularities within Utility Consumer Action Network, bringing about the charges. "The dissolution process requires that anyone who has a claim against UCAN to make it within 30 days," reported Utility Consumer Action Network director, the man standing at the center of the embezzlement allegations.