Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 07 MARCH 2025

Product Liability Update - February 2025

Foley Hoag LLP
Explore more from Foley Hoag LLP

Massachusetts Appeals Court Affirms Failure-To-Warn Verdict Against Cigarette Manufacturer, Holding Jury Could Infer Plaintiff Would Have Heeded Cancer Warning...

United StatesConsumer Protection
David Geiger
David Geiger
James M. Gross
James M. Gross
Caroline Holliday
Caroline Holliday
Author LinkedIn connections

Foley Hoag LLP publishes this quarterly Update primarily concerning developments in product liability and related law from federal and state courts applicable to Massachusetts, but also featuring selected developments for New York and New Jersey

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts Appeals Court Affirms Failure-To-Warn Verdict Against Cigarette Manufacturer, Holding Jury Could Infer Plaintiff Would Have Heeded Cancer Warning If Given, And Plaintiff's Medical Expert's Testimony Basing Causation On Cancer's Location Was Not Unfair Surprise Requiring Mistrial Where Expert Earlier Cited Location To Rule Out Other Causes And Defendant Accepted Two Of Trial Judge's Lesser Remedies But Did Not Utilize Mid-Trial Continuance

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

New York City’s Click-to-Cancel Rule: What Businesses Need To Know

New York City has enacted the nation's first municipal click-to-cancel rule, requiring businesses to provide clear disclosures, simple cancellation processes, and advance renewal notices for subscription services. With approximately 30 states already implementing similar regulations and the federal landscape in flux following the FTC's vacated rule, companies now face an increasingly complex patchwork of compliance obligations. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026, and imposes penalties ranging from $525 t
United StatesConsumer Protection
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Article

Amway To Pay $225 Million Over Alleged False Earnings Claims And Fabricated Sales

The FTC and Washington state secured a record $225 million settlement from Amway and affiliated groups over allegations they misled recruits about earnings potential while pressuring them to buy products with little retail opportunity. The complaint reveals that over three-quarters of U.S. product volume was sold to IBOs themselves rather than retail customers, with fabricated sales reporting masking the recruitment-driven model. The settlement's injunctive provisions establish new standards for earnings cl
United StatesConsumer Protection
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Article

FTC Asks Whether Platform Ad Tools Fuel Impersonation Scams

The Federal Trade Commission is exploring whether digital platforms should bear greater responsibility for preventing impersonation ads that falsely pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies. Through an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the agency seeks public input on potential amendments to its existing Impersonation Rule, examining how ad-optimization tools and platform practices...
United StatesConsumer Protection
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

The Coming State-Law Litigation Wave Of 2026-27: “Subscription Trap” Class Actions

State-law class actions targeting automatic renewal and subscription practices are accelerating, creating significant litigation risk for companies that rely on recurring revenue models. Recent settlements demonstrate that even technical compliance failures can lead to seven-figure exposure, with California, Illinois, and Virginia statutes driving the most aggressive litigation.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Article

NCAA Enjoined From Enforcing New Fifth-Year Eligibility Rule

A federal court has issued a nationwide injunction blocking the NCAA from enforcing its new five-year eligibility rule against Division I athletes who graduated high school in 2022. The ruling creates immediate compliance challenges for athletic departments as they navigate roster management, revenue-sharing caps, and potential penalties while the NCAA appeals the decision.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Article

Virginia’s Initial Draft Of Adult-use Marijuana Regulations – What You Should Know And What Questions Remain

Virginia's Cannabis Control Authority has released its initial draft of adult-use marijuana regulations, outlining application fees, license caps, and the approval process for the state's anticipated July 2027 launch of recreational cannabis sales. While the draft provides crucial details on licensing requirements and ownership restrictions, significant questions remain about the application timeline and evaluation criteria that will determine which entities receive coveted permits.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Wiley Consumer Protection Download (September 15, 2026)

This comprehensive newsletter covers recent federal and state consumer protection enforcement actions, including FTC settlements with payment processors, state attorney general lawsuits against tech companies, and advertising challenge decisions. The update examines regulatory developments such as the FTC's withdrawal of its 2021 health app breach policy statement and the launch of a new rule guidance program, while highlighting emerging enforcement priorities around AI-powered advertising, personalized
United StatesConsumer Protection
Wiley Rein
Wiley Rein
Article

Personalized Pricing Scrutiny Expands As FTC Previews Activity And Cities Join States In Weighing New Restrictions

Regulators and legislators have been keenly focused on personalized pricing for several years, and the degree of interest has increased significantly in recent weeks. For example, Seattle passed a law banning the use of personalized pricing in certain grocery sales, a key New York City official publicly advocated for adoption of a multi-industry proposal, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman previewed that more agency action is on the way.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Wiley Rein
Wiley Rein
Article

California Requires Disclosure Of AI-Generated People In Advertising

California has enacted a groundbreaking AI disclosure law requiring advertisers to clearly identify when synthetic performers appear in their marketing materials. The legislation, set to take effect in 2027, includes a private right of enforcement that could potentially open the door to class action litigation against brands using AI-generated performers without proper disclosure.
United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Virginia’s Initial Draft Of Adult-use Marijuana Regulations – What You Should Know And What Questions Remain

Virginia's Cannabis Control Authority has released its initial draft of adult-use marijuana regulations, outlining application fees, license caps, and the approval process for the state's anticipated July 2027 launch of recreational cannabis sales. While the draft provides crucial details on licensing requirements and ownership restrictions, significant questions remain about the application timeline and evaluation criteria that will determine which entities receive coveted permits.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Rising Cyberattacks On U.S. Water Infrastructure: Federal Guidance And Next Steps For Operators

Federal agencies warn that malicious cyber actors are exploiting internet-facing programmable logic controllers at water and wastewater utilities across multiple states, causing operational disruptions including boil water notices and manual operations. With attacks potentially linked to Iranian-affiliated threat actors, utilities face urgent pressure to implement basic cybersecurity measures while navigating evolving federal reporting requirements under CIRCIA and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
United StatesTechnology
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

FDA Holds Landmark Public Hearing On The Future Therapeutic Use Of Psychedelic Drugs

The FDA, in collaboration with federal partners, held a landmark public hearing on September 14, 2026, to gather input on the future therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, drawing over 18,000 registered attendees. This hearing represents one of the earliest implementations of Executive Order 14401, which directs federal agencies to expedite research, review, and approval of psychedelic drugs for serious mental health conditions.
United StatesFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Federal Court Declares New Jersey's Cannabis Labor Peace Agreement Mandate Preempted By Federal Law: What Every Licensed Operator Needs To Know

A federal court in New Jersey has declared that state-mandated labor peace agreements for cannabis licensees are preempted by federal labor law, creating immediate questions for operators across the state. With the decision now under appeal to the Third Circuit and similar challenges advancing nationwide, licensed cannabis businesses must carefully evaluate their existing agreements and compliance obligations.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

IRC Section 280E And Cannabis Tax Planning: Recent Developments And Practical Considerations

The landscape surrounding Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code continues to evolve with President Trump's Executive Order on medical marijuana rescheduling, advancing litigation in New Mexico Top Organics v. Commissioner, and shifting regulatory signals. Cannabis taxpayers face critical decisions about taking "non-280E" positions on their tax returns while the IRS maintains its enforcement stance and the U.S. Tax Court case addressing common arguments remains pending.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

OCC Proposes BSA/AML And Sanctions Compliance Standards For Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers Under The GENIUS Act

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has proposed new regulations that would impose Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions compliance requirements on permitted payment stablecoin issuers under its jurisdiction. This rulemaking, coordinated with FinCEN and OFAC, establishes anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and sanctions program standards for stablecoin issuers as part of the broader implementation of the GENIUS Act framework.
United StatesFinance and Banking
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

CMS Expands The ACCESS Model: New Tracks For Heart Failure, COPD, Substance Use Disorders, Tobacco Cessation, And Extended MSK Support

CMS is expanding its ACCESS Model in spring 2027 to include five new tracks covering heart failure, COPD, substance use disorders, tobacco cessation, and extended musculoskeletal support. The expansion emphasizes symptom management, quality of life, and technology-enabled care for individuals with serious or chronic conditions, creating meaningful new pathways for palliative-style care within Medicare reimbursement. With 160 participating organizations and major health payers pledging to adopt outcomes-base
United StatesFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP