Second Circuit Rejects the Use of "Aggregate Proof" of Causation in a Putative Consumer Class Action

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Sheppard Mullin

By John Stigi and Eric O’Connor

In UFCW Local 1776 v. Eli Lilly & Co., No. 09-0222-CV, 2010 WL 3516183 (2d Cir. Sept. 10, 2010), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed an order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York certifying a class of third party payors (“TPPs”) consisting of unions and insurers who underwrite the purchase of drugs prescribed by physicians in an action against pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co. (“Lilly”) alleging civil violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962, 1964 (“RICO”). At the core of this decision is the Second Circuit’s rejection of the use of “aggregate proof” of causation in the consumer class certification process.
 

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The Second District Court of Appeal Applies the "Filed Rate Doctrine" to California Insurance Ratemaking, and Holds that the Use of Approved Insurance Rates Cannot Create Tort Liability Against an Insurer in a Class Action

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Sheppard Mullin

By Jennifer Hoffman

In MacKay v. Superior Court (October 6, 2010) ___ Cal.App.4th ___ the Second District Court of Appeal threw out a class action challenging an insurer's rating practices on the ground that California law prohibits insureds from challenging rates approved by the California Department of Insurance ("DOI") through a civil action. Writing for the court, Justice Croskey concluded that the "filed rate doctrine" applies to California insurance ratemaking, despite the voters' enactment of Proposition 103, and that the exclusive remedy for challenging an insurer's approved rating practices was through a statutory administrative review process.
 

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