SeNior partNer - Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, LLP

$650 Million Pradaxa®
Litigation Settlement
B
Firm News
Senior Partner Paul J.
Napoli has been asked to be a
speaker at the Asbestos Liti-
oehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its affiliated companies, and
the Plaintiffs’ Negotiating Counsel Committee were appointed by a federal judge to seek
resolution of all lawsuits related to the use of Pradaxa® in the case In Re Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate) Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2385 . In Delaware, NBRS negotiated a $650
million settlement to resolve the claims of approximately 4,000 Pradaxa users who claimed to have
been injured by the drug.
Hunter J. Shkolnik, specially appointed by Chief Judge Herndon as a designated negotiating counsel
gation Conference: A National
Overview & Outlook (Perrin
Conferences). He will be participating in “The
Lung Cancer Phenomenon: Origins, Trends,
horizon, and Strategies Plaintiff and Defense
Perspectives on The Re-Emergence of Lung
Cancer Claims in Asbestos Litigation” Panel.
for all the Plaintiffs, said, “We are pleased that the settlement will bring justice and financial assistance
Senior Partner Marc J.
to those hurt while taking Pradaxa®. We are proud of the settlement we have achieved, congratulate
Bern was recently featured in
the company on doing the right thing, and look forward to distributing these funds to our clients
Fortune
as expeditiously as possible.”
regarding
Magazine’s
article
aviation/passen-
ger-vessel insurance and how
$100 Million NuvaRing® Settlement
to Proceed
A
$100 million settlement involving NuvaRing®—a
birth control device that has been linked to serious and
potentially fatal side effects – was approved and will go
forward as planned. Hunter J. Shkolnik, Senior Partner at NBRS,
served as Co-Lead Counsel in the case.
airlines are paid right away while victims’ relatives might have to wait months or years to be
compensated. As Marc points out, “It’s a quirk in
the system that favors compensation of airlines
over victims. The commodity is more valuable
than human life.”
Senior Partner Hunter J.
Shkolnik continues to bring
awareness to the possible
risks and side effects associ-
The $100 million settlement was first approved by a federal judge in
February. However, NuvaRing®’s manufacturer Merck had the right
to walk away from the settlement if less than 95% of claimants refused to opt into the settlement
program. Now that the 95% participation threshold has been reached, the settlement will proceed.
The $100 million settlement was a significant victory earned on behalf of injured women and their
families after four years of complex litigation.
Mr. Shkolnik served as Co-Lead Counsel on behalf of the roughly 3,800 claimants who will share
in the settlement. His experience in product liability and personal injury allowed him to advocate
effectively on behalf of victims who were injured by a product they believed was safe to use. Once a
leading birth control product, NuvaRing® has been associated with thousands of injuries and deaths
ated with birth control products. Previously Hunter outlined the legal options available for those who may have been
harmed by birth control products in a feature
article run in Vanity Fair Magazine and appeared
in an on-air MyFoxNY presentation.
Recently Hunter spoke about this topic on The
Doctors, where a team of medical professionals
discuss and answer questions related to health
and medical issues.
and a number of adverse side effects, including serious blood clots.
Mr. Shkolnik appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 to further discuss the NuvaRing® litigation
and global settlement. He shared his insight on the dangers associated with birth control products
and the importance of adequate warnings and product labeling regarding risks.
Visit NBRS Online
Download our Media Kit
visit us at napolibern.com
Available at bit.ly/1b29548
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The Verdic t | Volume II | 2014
NBRS is pleased to display
the Top Rated Lawyers
badge, having achieved a
LexisNexis® MartindaleHubbell® AV® Preeminent™
Peer Review Rating.
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NBRS Secures $1.49 Million Judgment
in Federal Securities Fraud Case
Securities fraud attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP
recently secured a $1.49 million judgment on behalf of investors
defrauded by Rajeev “Rodger” Punj.
I
n a recent federal securities fraud case, the Securities and Commercial Litigation Group
at Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, LLP (Napoli Bern) successfully obtained a $1.49 million judgment on behalf of several investors defrauded by Rajeev (Rodger) Punj. The case – Yadav v.
Punj, 11 Civ. 1500, NYLJ 1202658317415 – was decided on May 29, 2014 in the United States
District Court, Southern District of New York.
The four investor plaintiffs alleged that Punj fraudulently solicited $1.120 million in purported “investments” from Napoli Bern’s clients, by taking advantage of his longstanding relationships with
them, through representations that he was a registered commodities broker employed by a com-
Attention
Sallie Mae
Series B Preferred
Stock Shareholders
modities exchange, and through holding established professional relationships with three trading
firms. The plaintiffs alleged that Punj actually deposited their funds into his personal bank accounts.
Punj’s misconduct violated various federal laws, including RICO, Section 10(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, as well as the Commodities Exchange Act.
Napoli Bern charged Punj with conversion of investor funds, unjust enrichment, breach of contract
and fraud.
NBRS is looking for potential plaintiffs
Punj stipulated to legal and negative inferences with respect to plaintiffs’ exhibits and intended
for a securities class action on behalf
questions at deposition. The Southern District Court decided in plaintiffs’ favor, granting summary
of shareholders of Sallie Mae (SLM
judgment against Punj. and awarding the plaintiffs damages in the amount of $1.49 million. Punj
Corporation) Series B Preferred stock. had denied the charges as “false accusations.”
If you, your friends or family owns shares
of Sallie Mae Series B Preferred stock, it
is important that you speak to one of our
attorneys today.
The Securities and Commercial Litigation Group at Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, LLP handles all
aspects of securities disputes on behalf of investors across the United States. Napoli Bern’s legal
team has years of experience litigating and arbitrating cases involving securities, broker misconduct, and investment fraud.
General Motors Vehicle Recall Expands
E
arlier this year General Motors (“GM”) recalled
With essential safety features disabled and drivers unable to
approximately three quarters of a million vehicles.
control their vehicles, crashes from the ignition switch defect
Some GM ignition switches can be prone to inadver-
can lead to very serious injury.
tent shut off while driving, causing a cut off to the driver’s
power steering and brakes, as well as safety systems such
as airbags and anti-lock brakes. The recall announced that
heavy key chains could cause the switches to move out of the
“on” position, shutting down the engine and power systems.
Recently, GM expanded the recall to 2011 vehicles because
defective old parts were used to repair newer vehicles.
NBRS has vast experience in dealing with automobile and
heavy truck product liability actions. Our senior partner
Hunter J. Shkolnik has handled numerous other similar cases
Problems with the ignition switches in several popular GM
and was re-appointed to a leadership role in the Toyota Sud-
models have led to numerous crashes and at least 13 deaths.
den Unintended Acceleration MDL.
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$2 Million Mesothelioma Settlement
Our client was exposed to asbestos during his career as an insulator. At the direction of
the owners and general contractors, he was brought into direct contact with asbestoscontaining products through his work. The firm successfully obtained this settlement on
behalf of our client and his family against major oil companies such as ExxonMobile, Shell
Oil Co., and Chevron/Union Oil as well as major contractors and products manufacturers.
Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP Named
“Top-Tier Firm” by The Legal 500
I
n recognition of their continued success in the area of mass torts, NBRS has recently been
named a “Top-Tier Firm” in The Legal 500 United States 2014 editorial in the Litigation – Mass
Tort and Class Action: Plaintiff Representation – Toxic Tort category.
The Legal 500 is an attorney ranking service that has been analyzing law firms across the world
Serious Risperdal®
Side Effects
for nearly 30 years. The organization publishes an annual list of top-tier firms in 106 jurisdictions
to provide consumers and the legal industry with a thorough, up-to-date assessment of the legal
Our Pharmaceutical Litigation Department
market. Firms and attorneys included in the publication must pass a rigorous review process based
is currently investigating cases on behalf of
on firm achievements, peer reviews, and detailed research. The firm’s inclusion in the ranking edi-
patients who have experienced serious side
torial solidifies the firm’s national presence and its ability to successfully handle complex and high
effects caused by Risperdal® (risperidone),
profile cases. The editorial lists only three firms in the Top Tier; Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP
an antipsychotic medication prescribed for
was listed second.
schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder.
In addition to the firm being named among the nation’s top practices, several of the firm’s attorneys
were also included in the list. Senior Partners Paul Napoli and Marc Bern were credited for their work
representing plaintiffs who were members of the World Trade Center 9/11 clean-up operation relating to the victim compensation fund. Attorneys Napoli and Bern have also established themselves
as frontrunners in the fields of pharmaceutical litigation and toxic torts and have handled numerous
high stakes cases. Partner Patrick Haines and Senior Associate Diane Coffey were also included in
Among the allegations in many Risperdal®
lawsuits are claims that the use of this
drug has caused boys and men taking it to
develop breast tissue.
If your son or a boy you know has taken
Risperdal® and developed male breasts
the editorial for their work representing victims and families harmed by asbestos.
(Gynecomastia), speak with one of our
Inclusion in The Legal 500 rankings is a significant achievement held by only a select group of firms
child and learn about your legal options.
attorneys to protect the health of your
and attorneys. Each annual list published by The Legal 500 is also meant to provide consumers in
need of legal services with objective information about some of the top ranked firms in their region.
W
e are proud to announce that Senior Partner Paul J. Napoli has been named to the Board
of Directors of The National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Individually and along with Marc J.
Bern and through their firm, Paul has been a generous contributor to the 9/11 Memorial, the 9/11
Memorial Museum and other organizations working to support first responders and other WTC-injured workers.
The Memorial Museum Mission
The National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center bears solemn witness to the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The Museum honors the nearly 3,000 victims of these
attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. It further recognizes the thousands who survived and
all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath. Demonstrating the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and its impact on communities at the local, national, and international levels, the Museum
attests to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity and affirms an unwavering commitment to the
fundamental value of human life.
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Volume II / 2014
Serving Clients Locally From Offices Nationwide
Motor Vehicle Accidents
NBRS handles automobile, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian,
taxi and bus accidents
M
otor vehicle accidents can in-
NBRS Continues
to Grow to Better
Serve You
We continue to add experienced attorneys
and legal professionals to our teams
across the country.
volve a variety of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, vans or pickup trucks
Welcome J. Bradley Smith, Partner
and commercial vehicles such as a delivery vans,
Brad Smith brings over a
trucks or tractor-trailers. They can also involve mo-
decade of legal experience
torcycles, bicycles or pedestrians. These accidents
to his position as head of the
can cause serious injuries or the wrongful death of
Bankruptcy Trust team, which
a loved one and may dramatically affect a family’s
is part of the firm’s Asbestos
financial situation.
Litigation Department.
When insurance companies fail or refuse to compensate or provide medical care for injured victims
of car accidents, you should consider hiring a NBRS attorney to provide you with a free legal consultation to discuss your options.
Mr. Smith is a skilled attorney with experience
investigating and researching potential claims;
identifying the causes of clients’ injuries and
If someone else is to blame for my accident, how can I hold them responsible? If some-
pursuing their claims.
one else caused your accident, you may be able to seek compensation from their insurance provider
He is familiar with asbestos-related law across the
for your medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, lost earnings and possibly more.
country and its interplay with bankruptcy law.
State law will dictate whether you can hold them accountable.
He represented clients on the asbestos creditors’
I was injured in a motorcycle accident, and the insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I take it? The settlement offered by your or the other party’s insurance company
may seem fair, but we highly recommend having an attorney review it before you sign anything or
accept it. You may be unaware of additional compensation you should receive, for future medical
committees in the Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC.; Specialty Products Holding Corp.;
and Thorpe Insulation Co. bankruptcy cases. Mr.
Smith also represented Fortune 500 companies
care or lost earnings, which may not be included in the original settlement offer.
as creditors and creditor committee members in
What is my claim worth? Every claim is different. The worth of your claim may vary depending
primary focus to asbestos litigation.
Chapter 11 bankruptcies before transitioning his
on the extent of injury you have sustained, the amount of damage to your vehicle, any lost earnings
and the future impact that your injuries may have on all areas of your life.
We would like to also welcome all the new
attorneys, legal personnel and professional
staff who have joined the NBRS team.
Medical Malpractice Settlement UpdateS
$2.5 Million on behalf of a family whose child was not diagnosed or
treated in a timely fashion for meningitis. The child suffered permanent
brain damage, quadriplegia, lost the
ability to communicate and more.
New Firm Office in Texas
$2.225 Million on behalf of a family whose
newborn baby suffered intracranial bleeding,
subdural bleeding, scalp laceration and more due
to the use of a vacuum twice to extract the baby
via C-section. This also necessitated the resuscitation of the baby due to poor APGAR scores.
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Serving Clients Locally from Offices Nationwide
Empire State Building / 350 Fifth Avenue / New York, New York 10118
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©2014 Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This publication is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice and may not
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