Newsletter roundup of recent news, featuring updates on issues including the water crisis in Flint, MI; the Aliso Canyon methane gas leak in CA; and the VW emissions scandal.

1. NEWS You Can Use
From the Walker Advertising Research Desk 1/27/16
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Courtesy news clipping service provided to clients of Walker Advertising. All material is copyrighted by respective
publications. For copies of complete articles, contact your sales rep or Walker Advertising at 1-800-4WALKER.
1. Company To Recall, Redesign Medical Scope Linked To “Superbug” Outbreaks
Adapted from The Washington Post, 1/15/16
On Jan. 15, medical device maker Olympus Corp. announced plans to voluntarily recall and redesign
its duodenoscopes. This type of scope has been linked to multiple deadly “superbug” outbreaks across
the U.S. and Europe. Olympus manufacturers most of the duodenoscopes used in the U.S., followed by
Pentax and Fujifilm. The scopes, used in hundreds of thousands of procedures annually, are threaded
down patients’ throats. Their delicate construction and intricate design makes it impossible for them to
be cleaned using normal sterilization procedures. The U.S. has signed off on Olympus’s plan to recall
and redesign all 4,400 of its TJF-Q180V model duodenoscopes currently in use around the country. In
addition to the planned recall, Olympus announced it will conduct annual inspections of the devices to
check for wear and tear.
2. Crises In Two Cities Test Michigan’s Governor
Adapted from N. Y. Times, 1/21/16
The recent release of 274 pages of emails by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder revealed state officials’
initial dismissal of complaints from Flint residents about the quality of their water. Some critics were
accused of trying to turn the issue into “political football,” while a top aide labelled people raising
questions about water quality as an “anti-everything group.” As complaints from public and elected
officials grew, the emails reveal state officials’ growing irritation with residents’ unwillingness to accept
their claims about the safety of the water. Within months of Flint switching its water source to the Flint
River in early 2014, General Motors (GM) found the new water was corroding parts at its plant in Flint
and stopped using it. A hospital found the water was damaging its instruments, and increased its use of
filtering and bottled water, as did a local university.
3. Law Firms Press To Represent Families In Gas Leak Zone
Adapted from L.A. Times, 1/19/16
At least 25 lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Gas Co. and its parent company
Sempra Energy over the Aliso Canyon gas leak. The complaints include alleged hazardous activity,
negligence and trespass. Complainants are seeking compensation for diminished property values as well
as emotional and physical injuries. Most of the lawsuits have been filed by residents of Porter Ranch,
the community located closest to the leak. Attorneys are still seeking to sign up potential clients,
hosting events such as town halls.
4. Supreme Court Justices’ Ruling Bolsters The Ability To Build Class-Action Lawsuits
Adapted from N.Y. Times, 1/21/16
On Jan. 20, the Supreme Court ruled 6-to-3 that courts cannot dismiss lawsuits because the
defendant offered to provide the lead plaintiff with the relief said plaintiff was seeking. A contrary
decision would have allowed companies to pick off plaintiffs individually, making it more difficult for

2. NEWS You Can Use
From the Walker Advertising Research Desk 1/27/16
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Courtesy news clipping service provided to clients of Walker Advertising. All material is copyrighted by respective
publications. For copies of complete articles, contact your sales rep or Walker Advertising at 1-800-4WALKER.
consumers impacted by mass wrongdoing to unite in a lawsuit to readdress their complaints. The case,
Campbell-Ewald Co. v. Gomez, No. 14-857, involved text messages sent on behalf of the U.S. Navy. A
Navy contractor, the Campbell Ewald Company, sent a recruitment text to Jose Gomez in 2006, even
though Mr. Gomez was 40 at the time, above the age limit for Navy recruits. Mr. Gomez filed suit under
the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and sought to represent a class of people who had received
recruitment messages via text. That act allows people who receive unwanted text messages to recover
up to $1,500. Campbell Ewald offered to settle for $1,503 for each unsolicited text and refrain from
sending similar messages in the future. Gomez did not respond to the offer.
5. New Mexico Sues VW Over Emissions Deception
Adapted from N.Y. Times, 1/21/16
On Jan. 19, New Mexico became the first state to file suit against Volkswagen (VW) and other
German automakers over an emissions cheating scandal. Other states are likely to follow suit. On Jan. 4,
the U.S. sued VW over the scandal, a move that could potentially expose the automaker to more than
$20 billion in fines.
6. An Inquiry Into Car Doors That Don’t Close Securely
N.Y. Times, 1/21/16
U.S. auto safety regulators have launched an investigation into complaints that doors on about
400,000 Ford Focus compact cars would not latch properly. Some complaints involved doors opening
while the cars were in use. One driver reported an injury after the door rebounded following an
attempt to close it. Others reported needing to tie the doors to keep them shut.