News and Events
September 22, 2021
‘IT’S TIME FOR JUSTICE’: CIVIL CASE AGAINST TÜV SÜD OVER BRUMADINHO DAM DISASTER TO BEGIN IN MUNICH
The Mayor of Brumadinho has stated that it is ‘time for justice’ as the countdown begins ahead of the first hearing in a landmark civil action brought against TÜV SÜD by victims of the Brazilian dam disaster.
In the hearing, TÜV SÜD will be accused of certifying an unsafe tailings dam as safe and applying safety verification standards that did not match international standards.
It will take place on 28 September 2021 at 9am in the Courtroom of the Higher Regional Court, Munich.
September 13, 2021
PGMBM LAWYERS CONTINUE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST UK GOVERNMENT’S HOTEL QUARANTINE POLICY
PGMBM has now issued court proceedings after the government refused to review their controversial hotel quarantine rules.
After forcing the government into a U-turn on the costs of hotel quarantine for those facing financial hardship, PGMBM now believes that detaining fully vaccinated people for ten days in a hotel if they have tested negative on their return is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates their fundamental human rights.
Tom Goodhead, Managing Partner at PGMBM, said: “It’s disappointing that the government hasn’t yet realised that this policy is a fundamental breach of people’s human rights. Law-abiding citizens who have been double vaccinated should be free from hotel quarantine.
September 3, 2021
CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH THE COURTS: TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION
Environmental litigation is on the rise as individuals and organisations come to the courts to hold corporations and governments to account under their environmental and human rights obligations.
Rapid growth in climate change litigation across the globe reflects the increasing urgency with which both the public and the courts view the climate emergency.[34]
With this sense of urgency, comes the recognition that a diverse range of public and private actors hold responsibilities in mitigating climate risk. Increased focus on corporate responsibility for climate change and human rights marks the growing consensus across the global community that everyone must play their part.
August 25, 2021
HOW TO PLEAD NOVEL ISSUES OF FOREIGN LAW IN THE ENGLISH, FRENCH AND GERMAN COURTS
Over the past year, students at Sciences Po Law Clinic (Bianca Florea, Enora Lewandowski and Leticia Lopes) have been working with PGMBM on a project investigating the way foreign law is interpreted in the English, French and German courts. Their findings have been published in a report.
This post discusses one of the questions considered as part of the report: how the European courts approach the interpretation and application of foreign law when there is limited precedent or guidance from the courts of the foreign state.
This is an issue familiar from many of PGMBM’s cases.
August 24, 2021
CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS GO MAINSTREAM
Class action lawsuits used to have an image problem. Too big and too American, they were accused of fuelling an ambulance-chasing legal culture and filling the pockets of opportunistic lawyers.
Over the past 12 months, however, the mood has altered.
As more mega-claims hit London courts, however, the practicalities of how group litigation is managed and paid for need to keep up with changing attitudes – or risk undermining the model’s new-found reputation.
Article originally published in the Law Society Gazette.
August 12, 2021
GOVERNMENT FACING LEGAL ACTION OVER ‘UNLAWFUL’ HOTEL QUARANTINE POLICY
A second judicial review is being sought by PGMBM for the Government’s controversial hotel quarantine policy. The Government could end up paying tens of millions of pounds in compensation if they do not change their approach.
In July 2021, in the first phase of the judicial review, PGMBM forced the Government into a U-turn on hotel quarantine costs for those facing financial hardship.
Now, we believe that the policy of detaining people for 10 days in a hotel, despite being fully vaccinated in the UK and having tested negative on their return, is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates fundamental human rights.
July 27, 2021
VICTORY AS MARIANA DAM VICTIMS’ £5BN CASE IS REOPENED IN LANDMARK ENGLISH COURT RULING
Some 200,000 victims of the Mariana Dam environmental disaster in Brazil are today celebrating having been granted permission to reopen their £5bn case against mining giant BHP after a landmark English court ruling.
The case against BHP had been struck out last year but, in a judgment published today, a panel of judges reopened the case and granted permission to appeal.
The judgment concludes: “We believe that the appeal has a real prospect of success.”
July 19, 2021
THE VZBZ FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCEDES OWNERS DAIMLER
Germany’s largest consumer protection group has filed a lawsuit against Daimler to help Mercedes owners get redress over the Dieselgate scandal.
If successful, the lawsuit will set a precedent that would allow Mercedes GLC and GLK car owners to gain compensation over software allegedly used to trick emissions tests in the diesel emissions scandal.
According to the VZBV, a total of 254,000 Mercedes vehicles were recalled in Germany. The recall was ordered in 2018 and the VZBV said it was filing its case before Daimler’s potential legal liability expires.
July 05, 2021
BRITISH AIRWAYS DATA BREACH LITIGATION RESOLVED ON CONFIDENTIAL TERMS
As the court-appointed lead solicitors, PGMBM is pleased to announce that litigation with British Airways has been resolved on confidential terms.
The mediation between legal representatives for claimants and British Airways Plc resolves the group litigation on confidential terms.
Harris Pogust, PGMBM Chairman, said: “We are very pleased to have come to a resolution on this matter after constructive mediation with British Airways.”
July 05, 2021
GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS IT WILL CHANGE ITS HOTEL QUARANTINE POLICY
Last week, PGMBM received confirmation from the Government that we had been successful in forcing a U-turn over the costs vulnerable people were incurring as part of the hotel quarantine policy.
While the details of how this will work have not yet been laid out, we are reassured that the Government have listened to reason on this.
“It’s a fantastic outcome for everyone and we are hopeful that our clients will be able to seek some level of redress for the debt and financial hardship they have had to endure because of the cost of quarantining,” Tom Goodhead, Managing Partner said.
June 28, 2021
BRAZIL FORUM UK 2021: POSSIBLE PATHS FOR A FAIRER BRAZIL
What is the future for traditional communities? How does the climate crises affect environmental justice? Which paths does Brazil have? The Brazil Forum UK brought to the conversation fundamental issues regarding the building of a fairer Brazil, with more opportunities for everybody.
From 5 June to 13 June 2021, the event gathered names like Silvio de Almeida, Marina Silva, Erica Malunguinho, Fernando Haddad, Nath Finanças, Luís Roberto Barroso, and Catarina Lorenzo to discuss paths for Brazil and the pandemic’s impacts on the country.
PGMBM is proud of being one of the event’s sponsors.
June 21, 2021
PEUGEOT AND RENAULT CHARGED WITH DIESEL EMISSIONS FRAUD
Prosecutors in France have charged both Peugeot and Renault over claims they cheated emissions testing in many of their diesel vehicles.
Senior managers were accused of deceit for using ‘fraudulent strategies’ and committing emissions fraud by falsifying emissions test results and cheating emissions laws, especially in vehicles sold between 2009 and 2015.
Charges for both Peugeot and Renault come after a judicial investigation into the use of illegal devices to falsify emissions levels in diesel vehicles, which began in 2017 days after the Volkswagen settlement.
June 14, 2021
SECURITIES CLASS ACTIONS IN THE UK – OPPORTUNITIES AND UNCERTAINTIES FOR INVESTORS
It is evident that there has been a marked rise in group securities litigation globally in recent years.
This can be traced back to the 2010 US Supreme Court’s decision in Morrison v National Australia Bank 561 US 247 (2010), which restricted the extra-territorial effect of US securities legislation and in turn encouraged shareholders to bring claims against non-US issuers in domestic courts. In England and Wales, the primary mechanism for collective securities actions is the Group Litigation Order (GLO).
Author: Janice Tang, Associate at PGMBM
June 10, 2021
PARENTS CONCERNED BUT CLUELESS ABOUT FATAL AIR POLLUTION RISKS, SURVEY FINDS
More than 94% of parents underestimate the fatal impact of air pollution in the UK, new research has revealed.
Some 2,000 parents were polled as part of the research commissioned by MyDieselClaim.com, a campaign by leading access to justice law firm PGMBM. The research concluded that just 25% of people believed that car manufacturers were honest about the impact their vehicles had on the environment.
“The cases we are bringing to court should send a clear message to these manufacturers that people won’t tolerate being deceived when it comes to their and their children’s health,” Jade Weiner, PGMBM Senior Associate said.
June 7, 2021
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HOLD VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DIESELGATE SCANDAL?
In 2020, PGMBM launched the My Diesel Claim campaign to hold vehicle manufacturers accountable for their role in the Dieselgate scandal and to make sure that drivers receive suitable compensation for their losses.
One of the questions that we are most frequently asked about is why the case is so important to us and why we are so eager to get people to sign up. Our answer is simple: accountability.
We think the real question that needs to be asked is: Why is it important to hold vehicle manufacturers accountable for diesel emissions fraud?
June 3, 2021
EXTENSION OF THE BANGLADESH ACCORD COMMITMENTS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DISPUTES
Following reports on the poor working conditions and deficient safety in the building, the collapse sparked outrage and gave rise to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Bangladesh Accord).
It was designed as a commitment for a “safe and sustainable Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry and other related industries.”
Similar initiatives could be a modern and effective solution for business-related human rights disputes and, potentially, other disputes that require collective action.
May 29, 2021
ESG LITIGATION FINANCE: INVESTING IN ACCOUNTABILITY
Litigation is a costly procedure. Available resources can substantially impact outcomes, and smaller players are often disadvantaged against large corporations. However, the growth in litigation finance is helping to balance the scales.
By funding access to legal proceedings claiming for those unable to cover the costs, litigation finance democratises the access to justice and improves corporate accountability – thereby making a positive contribution to society.
Authors: Ana Carolina Salomão Queiroz, litigation finance manager at PGMBM and Gian Kull, head of special situations and uncorrelated strategies at Syz Capital
May 25, 2021
BREAST IMPLANT VICTIMS RECEIVE POSITIVE JUDGMENT AFTER 10-YEAR BATTLE
Thousands of victims of the PIP Breast Implant Scandal will now receive compensation for their suffering, a French court has announced.
The victory comes 10 years after the women involved in the case began their fight for justice and this outcome could have far-reaching implications for other victims around the world.
“This ruling could offer an alternative route to justice for victims who placed their trust in regulators to ensure the safety of any medical device implanted within them.”
May 21, 2021
THE ADVANTAGES OF JOINING A GROUP LITIGATION CLAIM
Filing a legal claim against a large company can be intimidating – especially if it has a strong legal team and a generous pool of finances.
However, by choosing to be represented by a group litigation firm like PGMBM, your claim can be brought from an equally strong position.
The following five factors help to demonstrate the main advantages of instructing a group litigation firm and can help you decide if joining a group litigation is the best option for your claim.
May 10, 2021
CORONER CALLS FOR LAW CHANGE AFTER AIR POLLUTION CAUSES DEATH OF YOUNG GIRL
Four months after an inquest concluded that air pollution was the cause of death for six-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a coroner has called on the UK government to change air pollution law.
Coroner Phillip Barlow, who led the original inquest into Ella’s death in December 2020, has called for national pollution limits to be reduced. He says there is ‘no safe level of particulate matter’ in the air.
The inquest into Ella’s death also found levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) near her home exceeded WHO and EU guidelines.
May 6, 2021
HOTEL QUARANTINE JUDICIAL REVIEW: WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS FOR SEEKING REVIEW?
As we mentioned in our previous update, the Hotel Quarantine Judicial Review is very important to us as a firm because of our passion for championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. We are frequently asked about the legalities of the hotel quarantine regulations and on what grounds we are seeking the review.
Our first ground is that we believe that the imposition of charges for quarantining in a government-managed hotel is unlawful because it is a direct breach of the UK’s international obligations. We also believe there is an absence of any adequate exemptions for those from no/low-income backgrounds.
April 30, 2021
VOLKSWAGEN DEMAND OVER A BILLION DOLLARS FROM EX-CEO IN DIESELGATE SCANDAL
In Germany, Volkswagen is seeking around $1.2 billion from ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn for his actions in the Dieselgate scandal.
If awarded, this sum would be the highest claim ever for damages against a CEO in Germany, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Volkswagen announced earlier this year that it would be demanding compensation from Martin Winterkorn and Rupert Stadler (ex-head of Audi) for their ‘breach of duty’. However, it is only now that they have revealed publicly how much they will be demanding.
April 27, 2021
HOTEL QUARANTINE JUDICIAL REVIEW: WHY IS THIS CASE SO IMPORTANT TO US?
At PGMBM we are passionate about championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. Our judicial review of the hotel quarantine is no exception to this.
Following the news that from 15 February the UK Government intended to enforce a mandatory hotel quarantine policy on British and Irish citizens and residents returning to England from so-called ‘red list’ countries (the ‘Policy’), we felt compelled to launch a legal challenge to ensure that the Policy receives judicial scrutiny.
This legal challenge is important to us and our values in that we are fighting to ensure that no one is prevented from returning home, resuming work, and exercising their right of abode because they are unable to afford the hotel quarantine charges.
April 23, 2021
THE NEW EUROPEAN MANDATORY HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE LEGISLATION: AN UNDIGNIFIED APPROACH
The rapid growth of supply chains across borders has brought undeniable benefits to developing countries. However, it has also negatively impacted these communities, in particular when it comes to environmental damage and human rights violations caused by the part of the business being conducted in such locations.
This blog post is the first one of a series that will provide updates on the developments of the European mandatory due diligence legislation.
Authors: Camila Manfredini and Jessika Castañon, PGMBM Associates
April 18, 2021
AUSTRALIAN COURT DISMISS VOLKSWAGEN’S $95 MILLION APPEAL IN EMISSIONS SCANDAL CLAIM
The Australian federal court has dismissed Volkswagen’s appeal against their $95 million fine. The appeal was surrounding Volkswagen’s part in the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
An appeal was submitted by Volkswagen after a judgment in December 2019. The Australian federal court found that they had breached consumer laws by falsifying emissions levels.
It was concluded that Volkswagen did not disclose the existence of ‘two-mode’ software when it sought approval to supply and import.
April 7, 2021
PGMBM LAUNCH MY DIESEL CLAIM TO SUPPORT THOSE IMPACTED BY DIESELGATE
In response to the growing number of manufacturers under investigation for diesel emissions fraud, PGMBM has launched a new website that will support more diesel vehicle drivers than ever before: My Diesel Claim.
MyDieselClaim.com will offer all diesel car and van owners the opportunity to claim up to £10,000 for their vehicle manufacturer’s part in the Dieselgate scandal.
March 18, 2021
AN INTERVIEW WITH PGMBM’S ELÉONORE BUISSON AND SCIENCES PO
One of PGMBM’s many talented paralegals, Eléonore Buisson, recently graduated with a Masters in Economic Law, from the Sciences Po Law School, 2020. Eléonore has spoken with Sciences Po about her law school experiences, her recruitment into PGMBM and her current role’s responsibilities, as well as her upcoming projects with the firm.
“The firm also stresses the importance for litigation trainees to gain international experience and, since joining the firm, I have travelled to Central Africa for one case, and I will also spend some time in PGMBM’s international offices in the US and/or in Brazil,” Eléonore said.
March 16, 2021
UBER JUDGMENT: WORKERS’ RIGHTS INTRODUCTION IS NOT ENOUGH, ACCORDING TO PGMBM
Following the UK Supreme Court judgment that all Uber drivers must be considered as workers, Uber laid out how its workers’ rights would be used in practice.
According to the new rules, all UK Uber drivers will be ‘guaranteed’ national minimum wage, holiday pay, and a pension scheme. This will impact 70,000 drivers in the UK, but omits Uber Eats.
PGMBM believes that, additionally to these new rules, drivers are owed compensation for backdated holiday and minimum wage payments. Uber failed to mention this in their roadmap for the future and we do not think this is good enough.
March 12, 2021
APPEAL ALLOWED BY THE SUPREME COURT IN OKPABI AND OTHERS V ROYAL DUTCH SHELL AND ANOTHER [2021]
This follow-up article delves deeper into specific aspects of the Supreme Court’s judgment and provides a detailed commentary on its implications for the future of group litigation and jurisdictional challenges in England.
The article also discusses the interplay between Okpabi and earlier similar litigations in both the UK and in the Netherlands.
The Supreme Court’s ruling will allow the Nigerian claimants to continue pursuing their damages claims against both RDS and SPDC in the English courts, subject to further jurisdictional challenges that SPDC might raise.
March 5, 2021
PGMBM SECURES £45 MILLION FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTH WALL
International law firm PGMBM and leading European special situations investor North Wall Capital (North Wall) announce a new £45 million funding partnership to support us in the pursuit claims on behalf of consumers wronged by large corporations globally.
North Wall’s investment brings the total capital raised to over £100 million and will support the firm as it continues to establish itself as a major global player.
“We are very pleased to announce this partnership,” said Harris Pogust, PGMBM Chairman. “Our goal is to fight the good fight on behalf of those wronged by some of the world’s largest multinational corporations.”
February 22, 2021
SUPREME COURT RULES THAT UBER DRIVERS ARE WORKERS
A Supreme Court decision has ruled that Uber drivers are workers, not third-party contractors. The decision has been labelled as ‘historic’ and could change the future of the gig economy.
As the Supreme Court is the highest court in the England and Wales, Uber will not be able to appeal this decision and drivers will now be entitled to national minimum wage and holiday pay.
PGMBM is now fighting for justice for the drivers who have missed out on years of national minimum wage and holiday pay.
February 16, 2021
PGMBM LAUNCH CHALLENGE TO GOVERNMENT’S HOTEL QUARANTINE POLICY
In response to the news that the Government would be enforcing a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, PGMBM is launching a legal challenge to stand up for the human rights of those entering the UK. We believe that the hotel quarantine policy is unlawful and should therefore be subject to judicial review.
Tom Goodhead, Barrister and Managing Partner of PGMBM, said: “We wholeheartedly appreciate the seriousness of the pandemic, its impact globally, and the efforts of governments and healthcare workers to tackle it. This does not, however, mean that policies which constitute extraordinary violations of traditional liberties and human rights should not face careful judicial examination.
February 14, 2021
UK SUPREME COURT ALLOWS APPEAL IN A GROUP LITIGATION INVOLVING SHELL
In a ground-breaking judgment, the UK Supreme Court allowed an appeal in a group litigation against the oil and gas company Shell plc. The decision will allow 42,500 Nigerian victims to continue their fight for justice in England.
The appeal was concerned with the jurisdiction of the English courts against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (“SPDC”), a Nigerian company, and with whether a common law duty of care was owed by the English parent company, Royal Dutch Shell Plc (“RDS”), to those affected.
The victims argued that that English company RDS owed them a duty of care because of the significant control RDS exercised over SPDC’s operations.
February 4, 2021
OVER A MILLION VEHICLES FAILED MOTs IN 2020 DUE TO EXHAUST EMISSIONS
A record number of vehicles failed their MOT tests in 2020 due to issues relating to potentially harmful exhaust emissions.
The survey suggests that failures in 2020 increased by more than 70% when compared to pre-2018 when new guidance was offered. Sources indicate that 1.3 million vehicles were implicated, with diesel cars guilty of the most significant surge in emission failures.
PGMBM is currently litigating against several manufacturers to hold them accountable for their alleged unlawful actions and seek compensation for those involved.
January 12, 2021
BRITISH AIRWAYS DATA BREACH CLAIM BECOMES BIGGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE UK WITH MORE THAN 16,000 SIGNING UP TO JOIN
The 2018 BA Data Breach Claim has become the largest group action personal data claim in UK history, with over 16,000 victims seeking compensation from the airline. PGMBM are the lead solicitors in the group litigation case against British Airways on behalf of victims.
We expect that victim compensation could be up to £2,000, putting BA’s overall potential liability at around £800million.
Those involved now have until 19 March 2021 to sign up via the dedicated website, badatabreach.com.
December 21, 2020
“ACCESS [TO JUSTICE] DENIED” – MUNICIPIO DE MARIANA ORS v BHP PLC BHP LTD
On 09 November 2020, Mr Justice Turner of the High Court, handed down a judgment that denied the jurisdiction of the English Court to adjudicate the liability of BHP Plc and BHP Ltd on the merits. The judgment struck out the claims of over 200,000 Brazilian Claimants as an abuse of the process and further held that had the case not been struck out.
While it is beyond the scope of this post to analyse each of these technical findings, the consequences of the judgment will be discussed in relation to the facts of this case and other future business and human rights proceedings.
Originally posted on Oxford Human Rights Hub.
December 16, 2020
INQUEST LABELS ‘AIR POLLUTION’ AS CAUSE OF DEATH FOR FIRST TIME EVER
After a fresh inquest into the death of a nine-year-old girl concluded that she died as a result of air pollution, theories surrounding the relationship between pollution and ill-health have been forced into a sickening reality.
Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is the first person in the UK, and possibly even the world, to have air pollution listed as her cause of death.
According to BBC news, Southwark Coroner’s Court concluded that air pollution “made a material contribution” to Ella’s death. After the two-week inquest was concluded, Philip Barlow, Coroner, stated that Ella has been exposed to “excessive” levels of air pollution.
November 9, 2020
VICTIMS OF MARIANA DAM DISASTER TO APPEAL ENGLISH COURT DECISION NOT TO PROCEED WITH £5BN CASE AGAINST MINERS BHP
The victims of the Fundão Dam disaster in Mariana, Brazil, intend to appeal after a first instance English court judgment not to proceed with their multi-billion pound case against mining giant BHP over their ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the incident, in which an iron-ore tailings dam collapsed, unleashing the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history.
Lawyers for the 200,000 claimants maintain that dual-listed Anglo-Australian company BHP should face the action in the courts of the nation in which they are headquartered – England – and they will now take their case to the court of appeal.
October 28, 2020
PGMBM FILING ‘DIESELGATE’ GROUP ACTION AGAINST FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES
PGMBM is filing a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). We believe they deliberately misled customers by fitting ‘defeat devices’ in breach of diesel emissions regulations.
Hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles may be affected, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Iveco, and Suzuki diesel vehicles.
Anyone who owned or leased an affected vehicle first registered between 2008 and 2020 may be able to claim up to £10,000 in compensation for being misled.
October 21, 2020
BRITISH AIRWAYS DATA BREACH: ‘IT’S TIME FOR VICTIMS TO BE COMPENSATED’
PGMBM have welcomed the decision from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to levy British Airways’s fine over their 2018 breach.
We believe it is now time for the half a million BA customers affected by the breach to be compensated.
Harris Pogust, Partner, commented: “Unfortunately Covid-19 has taken a significant toll on the airline industry and the move by the ICO to reduce BA’s fine should allow them to protect the business. However, it is now time for BA to compensate the victims.”
September 30, 2020
PGMBM OPENS NEW OFFICE IN MIAMI WITH PRESTIGIOUS HIRES
PGMBM is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Miami, Florida– a key milestone in our continued global growth.
The Miami operation will be headed by experienced attorney Melissa Ferrari. She will play a key role in solidifying the firm as a major global player in mass and class-action litigation, antitrust law, and alternative dispute resolution.
Melissa will be joined by top litigator Joshua Kushner, who joins us from Kobre and Kim LLP.
September 24, 2020
BRAZIL’S HANDLING OF THE MARIANA DAM DISASTER LABELLED A ‘TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE’
A newly published UN human rights council report claims that ‘urgent attention’ is required to address Brazil’s ‘regression from its human rights obligations’.
UN Special Rapporteur Bashkut Tunak revealed that none of the 42 projects to repair damage from the 2015 Mariana dam disaster are on track.
“Following the Mariana and Brumadinho disasters, no corporate executive of Vale, BHP or Samarco stands convicted of criminal conduct,” Bashkut said. “It is a travesty of justice suggesting some in Brazil are indeed above the law.”
September 18, 2020
UK DRIVERS ONE STEP CLOSER TO RECEIVING MERCEDES COMPENSATION
Mercedes-Benz has agreed to pay £1.7 billion to settle diesel emission cheat claims in the United States, meaning Mercedes UK drivers may be one step closer to getting the compensation they deserve.
In a statement, Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes, said that it expected costs of £1.14bn relating to the civil and environmental claims, and £535m relating to the consumer class action.
While the US settlement is welcomed by PGMBM, British drivers may be entitled to far more.
September 11, 2020
PGMBM’s LISA LUNT INTERVIEWED BY SKY NEWS IN PRIMODOS INVESTIGATION.
A Sky News investigation into Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, has been aired on TV, sharing the harsh realities of the impact the drug had on its victims.
PGMBM’s Head of Medical Liability, Lisa Lunt, was interviewed by Sky News, sharing her thoughts on the latest evidence unveiled in the case.
“I think that Liz’s freedom of information act request is incredibly important,” she said.
“It shows that key changes were made to the report and I have not seen any evidence to suggest that those changes were endorsed by the entire working group: it looks like they were made at the last minute.”
September 10, 2020
FORMER VOLKSWAGEN CEO TO STAND TRIAL OVER EMISSIONS SCANDAL
A German court has ruled that the former CEO of Volkswagen will have to stand trial as part of the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
Martin Winterkorn resigned from his post five years ago, after a notice of violation from the US Environmental Protection Agency brought to light years of VW emissions cheating.
He and four other defendants will face trial in Germany on charges of fraud in connection with aggravated tax evasion and illegal advertising in the Dieselgate scandal.
The court found a ‘predominant likelihood’ of a fraud conviction for the lies surrounding diesel emissions in thousands of VW vehicles.
September 3, 2020
BHP TO BE DAMMED?
On 5 November 2015, a devastating mudslide following the collapse of the Fundao Dam tore through Mariana, Brazil. 19 people lost their lives, tonnes of fish died, and over 600km of waterways were polluted in what is regarded as Brazil’s worst environmental disaster. The cause of this collapse is allegedly the negligence of Samarco, the mining company operating the dam, which was created to dispose of toxic iron ore tailings from mine extraction.
PGMBM is bringing claims on behalf of over 200 000 claimants against BHP Billiton, the Anglo-Australian co-parent company of Samarco, for the damages arising from the disaster.
August 30, 2020
PGMBM CALLS ON BAYER TO ADDRESS GLOBAL CLAIMS AFTER $1.6 BILLION US SETTLEMENT DECISION IN ESSURE CASE
Thousands of claims have now been settled in the USA surrounding the controversial Essure implant, but PGMBM is still fighting for justice for thousands of other victims.
While the $1.6 billion settlement decision in the US is welcomed, PGMBM is still helping the many UK victims who are awaiting justice after years of suffering.
Harris Pogust, PGMBM Partner, called Essure ‘one of the most dangerous medical devices that has been put on the market in recent memory’ and asked for Bayer to be held accountable.
July 14, 2020
PGMBM COMMITS TO ENSURING JUSTICE AS INDEPENDENT REPORT CONFIRMS FAILURES IN BRITISH HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
PGMBM has welcomed the publication of an independent report into the safety and side-effects of treatments recommended and administered by the British healthcare industry. After a two-year study, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety review was published today by Baroness Cumberlege and entitled First Do No Harm.
The report details the grim history of Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test drug, Sodium Valproate, an anti-epilepsy drug, and vaginal mesh used to support weakened pelvic organs and repair damaged tissue.
June 27, 2020
PGMBM INITIATES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NISSAN AND RENAULT
PGMBM has announced that it is taking legal action against vehicle manufacturers Renault and Nissan, following allegations that illegal emissions defeat devices have been fitted in a number of cars and vans.
Defeat devices are designed to sense when a car is under specific testing conditions, and accordingly turn on emissions controls, allowing the vehicle to falsely pass regulatory checks.
In acting against Renault and Nissan, the firm will initially try to settle the claim with a pre-action letter and may subsequently seek a Group Litigation Order against the manufacturers, seeking compensation for the hundreds of customers affected.
June 26, 2020
PGMBM INSTRUCTS SERLE COURT IN EASYJET DATA BREACH LITIGATION
PGMBM has instructed Sophie Holcombe and David Blayney QC of Serle Court in ongoing litigation against the aviation giant easyJet.
In May, the airline announced that it had been subjected to a data theft attack, under which the confidential information of over nine million customers had been breached.
One of the UK’s largest data breaches to date, questions have been raised as to the efficacy of the cyber-security measures in place at easyJet, and why the airline chose to notify the UK Information Commissioner’s Office in January, but to delay informing its customers until May.
June 1, 2020
MERCEDES DIESEL EMISSIONS SCANDAL: PGMBM WILL BE ACTING ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF CLAIMANTS WHO WERE AFFECTED
PGMBM has filed a claim against Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, in the Liverpool High Court. The case relates to a Mercedes diesel emissions scandal, which involves the use of defeat devices (also called ‘cheat devices’) on an estimated half million Mercedes diesel vehicles first registered between 2007 and 2018 in the United Kingdom.
These defeat device software systems change the way the vehicles function in test scenarios, to help them meet required emissions and performance levels, when in day-to-day use, the vehicles would in fact fall well short of that mark.
May 22, 2020
PGMBM ISSUES CLASS ACTION CLAIM ON BEHALF OF EASYJET CUSTOMERS OVER MAJOR DATA BREACH
The British airline group EasyJet announced on 19 May 2020 that sensitive personal data of nine million customers from around the world had been exposed in a “sophisticated” data breach. The cyber-attack occurred in January 2020 but despite notifying the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office at that time, EasyJet waited four months to notify its customers.
PGMBM, a leading international group litigation specialist have issued the claim form on behalf of impacted customers, after having been contacted by numerous affected people when the data breach was made public.
May 20, 2020
9 MILLION EASYJET CUSTOMERS HAVE DATA STOLEN IN LATEST BREACH
Around 9 million easyJet customers have had their data breached in a ‘sophisticated’ cyber-attack, the airline has announced.
Email addresses and travel details were stolen by cyber-criminals and more than 2,200 customers have also had their credit and debit card details ‘accessed’, including CVV numbers.
easyJet informed the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in January 2020 and they are currently investigating the breach. It wasn’t until four months later that easyJet informed its customers.
May 13, 2020
SPG LAW IS NOW PGMBM: LEARN ABOUT THE REBRAND
Our lawyers are dedicated to helping ordinary people fight for justice against the largest multinational corporations in the world. We are passionate about holding these corporate giants to account for the devastating and often irreparable damage they have inflicted on people and the environment. We are currently taking on companies such as BHP, British Airways and Volkswagen to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
With PGMBM, we are growing our international team of leading solicitors and barristers to best equip the firm to expand the reach of our services to help even more people.
Oct 4, 2019
HIGH COURT IN LONDON GRANTED A GROUP LITIGATION ORDER FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER 2018 BRITISH AIRWAYS DATA BREACH
SPG Law, acting on behalf of thousands of BA customers in a group action lawsuit against embattled airline following its catastrophic 2018 data breach has been granted a group litigation order by the High Court in London.
British Airways is facing legal claims from thousands of customers whose sensitive personal data was stolen and compromised by third parties who breached the company’s online reservations systems.
In September 2018, BA announced that their online reservation systems had been accessed by an unauthorised third party.
Aug 3, 2019
PRIMODOS: FIRMS AND GOVT FACE LEGAL ACTION OVER CLAIMS PREGNANCY DRUG ‘DAMAGED BABIES’
Primodos was a hormone-based pregnancy test, manufactured by Schering, now Bayer PLC, first made available for sale in the UK in 1956 and was withdrawn from sale in 1978.
The drug consisted of two pills, to be taken in two consecutive days, and detected pregnancy by inducing a period in a woman who was not pregnant. [1]However, many families believe that if the mother was pregnant, it damaged or even killed their children in the womb.
July 1, 2019
SPG LAW INSTRUCTS EXCHANGE CHAMBERS ON “DIESELGATE” CLASS ACTION
A number of barristers from Exchange Chambers have been instructed by SPG Law to advise on the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” class action.
SPG Law are acting for over 16,000 car owners who bought a diesel VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat car between 2008 and 2015.
On the 18 September 2015 it was first alleged by US authorities that VW had sought to cheat the US emissions testing regime in respect of NOx emissions by fitting their vehicles with illegal “defeat devices”. The German authorities confirmed shortly thereafter that vehicles fitted with similar software had been sold across Europe.
May 7, 2019
BHP BILLITON ‘WOEFULLY NEGLIGENT’ OVER BRAZIL DAM COLLAPSE
The worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history has triggered one of the biggest legal claims ever filed in a British court.
The Anglo-Australian mining company BHP Billiton is being sued for about £5bn by Brazilian victims of the Samarco dam collapse in Mariana four years ago.
The class action case was filed in the Liverpool High Court by the UK-based SPG Law – currently known as PGMBM Law – on behalf of over 200,000 individuals and organisations affected by the disaster.
Nineteen people died after toxic waters from the failed tailings dam surged through the village of Bento Rodrigues on 5 November 2015.
April 12, 2018
WOMEN SOUNDED ALARM ON ESSURE BIRTH CONTROL DEVICE
Essure, manufactured by Bayer HealthCare, is the only non-surgical permanent form of birth control for women in the UK. Made of a metal coil and plastic PET fibers, the device is known to slice through the uterus and fallopian tubes, migrate into the pelvis or abdomen, and cause allergic and autoimmune reaction to the materials, maiming thousands of women.
[1] More than 750,000 Essure devices have been sold worldwide since it was introduced in 2002, according to Bayer. The product, long presented as a less invasive alternative to surgical sterilization, is no longer sold outside the U.S. for “commercial reasons,” company spokeswoman Courtney Mallon said in an email.
March 1, 2018
VOLKSWAGEN REACH SETTLEMENT DECISION IN USA
A record breaking settlement decision has been reached in the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal in the USA after VW allegedly fitted ‘defeat devices’ in its vehicles.
A final figure of $14.7 billion was approved by US District Court Judge Charles Breyer on 25 October 2016. The money is the largest settlement sum in US history and will be used to compensate more than 475,000 drivers.
Despite the settlement in the USA, Volkswagen is continuing to deny claims of fitting defeat devices in the UK and Europe.
PGMBM (a trading name of Excello Law Limited) – SRA License Number 512898
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