Baron & Budd, P.C.

Baron & Budd’s Case Against TriMark USA Remains Largest False Claims Act Recovery for Small Business Fraud

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 9, 2023

In the announcement, the DOJ listed the top settlements in various fraud categories, including small business contract fraud.

Key Points: 
  • In the announcement, the DOJ listed the top settlements in various fraud categories, including small business contract fraud.
  • Baron & Budd’s case against TriMark USA, LLC was listed among the top settlements and recognized as the largest non-health care False Claims Act recovery in 2022.
  • The TriMark matter also represents the largest-ever False Claims Act settlement based on allegations of small-business set-aside contracting fraud.
  • TriMark is categorized as a large business by the Small Business Administration because of its number of employees and annual revenue.

Baron & Budd Files Lawsuit on Behalf of City of Hemet Against Southern California Edison for Fairview Fire Damages

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Today, the nationally recognized law firm Baron & Budd filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of the City of Hemet against Southern California Edison for damages resulting from the 2022 Fairview Fire.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the nationally recognized law firm Baron & Budd filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of the City of Hemet against Southern California Edison for damages resulting from the 2022 Fairview Fire.
  • The lawsuit alleges that Edison’s equipment was the cause and origin of the Fairview Fire, which caused significant damages to public and natural resources in the City of Hemet.
  • “The deadly Fairview Fire was devastating to the City of Hemet,” said Baron & Budd Shareholder, John Fiske .
  • The City of Hemet is represented by outside counsel John Fiske and Torri Sherlin of Baron & Budd, and Ed Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers.

Baron & Budd Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Five Public Entities Against PG&E for Mosquito Fire Damages

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 19, 2023

Yesterday, Baron & Budd filed a lawsuit on behalf of five public entities against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for damages resulting from the 2022 Mosquito Fire.

Key Points: 
  • Yesterday, Baron & Budd filed a lawsuit on behalf of five public entities against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for damages resulting from the 2022 Mosquito Fire.
  • The lawsuit alleges that PG&E’s equipment was the cause and origin of the Mosquito Fire, which caused significant damages to public and natural resources in El Dorado and Placer Counties.
  • “This lawsuit seeks legal damages to compensate injuries to public and natural resources,” said Baron & Budd Shareholder John Fiske .
  • The five public entities are represented by John Fiske and Torri Sherlin of Baron & Budd, and Ed Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers.

Baron & Budd Announces $24 Million Settlement with PG&E on Behalf of Ten Public Entities Affected by the Dixie Fire

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Today, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced a $24 million settlement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) on behalf of ten public entities affected by the historic 2021 Dixie Fire, which caused extensive public and natural resource damages.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced a $24 million settlement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) on behalf of ten public entities affected by the historic 2021 Dixie Fire, which caused extensive public and natural resource damages.
  • The public entities’ civil legal damages included public resource damages, staff and labor time, damages to pavement and roads, lost revenue, increased expenses, and other damages caused by the Dixie Fire.
  • The $24 million is allocated among the ten public entities in accordance with their relative damages suffered.
  • The public entities were represented by John Fiske and Torri Sherlin of Baron & Budd, P.C., and Ed Diab of Dixon, Diab, and Chambers, LLP.

Department of Justice Intervenes in Baron & Budd Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Rite Aid

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 13, 2023

Today, the nationally recognized law firm of Baron & Budd announced the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to intervene and take primary responsibility litigating a whistleblower lawsuit filed against Rite Aid for violations of the False Claims Act and the Controlled Substances Act.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the nationally recognized law firm of Baron & Budd announced the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to intervene and take primary responsibility litigating a whistleblower lawsuit filed against Rite Aid for violations of the False Claims Act and the Controlled Substances Act.
  • The whistleblowers in this case are former Rite Aid pharmacy employees represented by Baron & Budd.
  • The suit alleges that Rite Aid consistently disregarded its duties to provide adequate staffing, resources, and information to its pharmacists and did not properly identify, investigate, and resolve red flag prescriptions before dispensing.
  • Instead, the suit alleges that Rite Aid routinely chose profits over people, and created an environment where pharmacists were expected to dispense any and all prescriptions to fuel Rite Aid’s business interests.

Baron & Budd Obtains $191.2 Million in Abatement Funds from Settlements with Retail Pharmacies in New Mexico Opioid Lawsuit

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 22, 2022

announced a combined $191.2 million recovery for the State of New Mexico from settlements regarding opioid litigation against four of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, and Walmart.

Key Points: 
  • announced a combined $191.2 million recovery for the State of New Mexico from settlements regarding opioid litigation against four of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, and Walmart.
  • Baron & Budd serves as counsel for the State of New Mexico in the litigation.
  • These pharmacy chains were facing legal allegations concerning the creation of a public nuisance and violations of the Unfair Practices Act.
  • Baron & Budd attorneys represent municipalities, states, cities, counties, and tribal nations across the country in the complex opioid litigation.

Baron & Budd Attorney Recognized with National Civil Justice Award

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 21, 2022

In its inaugural year, this distinction is awarded annually by The Milestone Charitable Foundation to a select group of lawyers across the country who are innovative in their pursuit of justice.

Key Points: 
  • In its inaugural year, this distinction is awarded annually by The Milestone Charitable Foundation to a select group of lawyers across the country who are innovative in their pursuit of justice.
  • Compassionate Counsel recipients are selected by The Milestone Foundation’s board for their unwavering commitment to the tenets of the Seventh Amendment and belief in the fundamental right to justice.
  • These lawyers work tirelessly to help victims of civil injustices receive their rightful compensation and avoid additional harm or trauma throughout the course of their lawsuit.
  • Since joining Baron & Budd, Ms. Rol has worked on a variety of pharmaceutical cases, including Transvaginal Mesh, Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics, Xarelto, IVC Filter, Essure, and Talcum litigation.

Baron & Budd Announces Fall 2022 Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship Winners

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 19, 2022

Today, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced that it has selected Isabella Toth and Soraya Chinloy as the winners of the Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship .

Key Points: 
  • Today, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced that it has selected Isabella Toth and Soraya Chinloy as the winners of the Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship .
  • Isabella Toth’s winning written essay was selected after a competitive review by the Baron & Budd Scholarship committee.
  • The Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of the thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer every year.
  • For more information about the Baron & Budd Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship, please visit baronandbudd.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/scholarships/ .

Baron & Budd Obtains $23.8 Million Settlement in Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Essilor

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 5, 2022

Today, the nationally recognized law firm of Baron & Budd announced a settlement of $23.8 million in a whistleblower lawsuit filed against eye glass lens manufacturer, Essilor Laboratories of America, for violations of the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the nationally recognized law firm of Baron & Budd announced a settlement of $23.8 million in a whistleblower lawsuit filed against eye glass lens manufacturer, Essilor Laboratories of America, for violations of the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act.
  • This follows a $22 million False Claims Act settlement against Essilor in August 2022 in which Baron & Budd also represented the whistleblower client.
  • Essilor offered and/or provided these kickbacks to eyecare professionals for the purpose of buying loyalty and rewarding those who switched to Essilor products and optical laboratory services.
  • Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner, intervened and prosecuted the case in a public/private partnership along with Baron & Budd and other private firms.

Inaugural Compassionate Counsel Awards Recognize Civil Justice Innovators

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 30, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Milestone Charitable Foundation announces the launch of Compassionate Counsel, a distinction awarded annually to a select group of trial lawyers who are innovative in their pursuit of justice. Four exceptional individuals have been named to the award's inaugural 2023 class.

Key Points: 
  • Compassionate Counsel recipients are selected by The Milestone Foundation's board for their unwavering commitment to the tenets of the Seventh Amendment and belief in the fundamental right to justice.
  • As such, the 2023 Compassionate Counsel distinction is awarded to Ben Whitley of Whitley Law Firm, Kim Dougherty of Justice Law Collaborative, LLC, Anna Rol of Baron & Budd, P.C.
  • "Their commitment to their clients and our civil justice system as a whole is admirable, and we could not be more honored to have them make up our inaugural Compassionate Counsel class."
  • For more information about The Milestone Foundation or to nominate someone for next year's Compassionate Counsel awards, visit https://themilestonefoundation.org/compassionate-counsel/ .