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US judge allows Uber to pursue RICO case against Philadelphia lawyer. Posted: 15th October 2026 Matt Johnson Uber and FedEx can continue pursuing civil racketeering claims against Philadelphia lawyer Marc Simon and his firm Simon & Simon. Uber Technologies and FedEx can continue pursuing civil racketeering claims against Philadelphia lawyer Marc Simon and his law firm, Simon & Simon, after a federal judge rejected arguments that insurance payments prevented Uber from establishing financial injury. US District Judge Mark Kearney ruled that Uber retained the right to pursue its claims despite liability insurer Farmers having covered certain costs associated with the underlying personal injury litigation. The decision removes an obstacle to Uber's claims but does not determine whether the alleged racketeering scheme occurred. Uber and FedEx accuse Simon & Simon of participating in a coordinated scheme involving personal injury clients and medical providers. According to the companies, clients were directed towards selected healthcare providers who allegedly exaggerated injuries, recommended unnecessary treatment or produced false medical records that were subsequently used to support lawsuits seeking inflated settlements. Simon and his firm deny wrongdoing, and the allegations have not been established at trial. The latest dispute centres on whether Uber can establish the financial injury required to pursue claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO, when an insurer has covered costs connected with the underlying claims. Simon argued that payments made by Farmers meant Uber had not itself suffered the necessary financial loss. Judge Kearney rejected that position, concluding that Uber had not surrendered its ability to pursue alleged wrongdoing because it maintained liability insurance and its insurer had made payments on its behalf. Simon has also argued that Uber and FedEx are improperly using federal racketeering legislation to discourage personal injury litigation against their businesses. In May, Judge Kearney rejected an earlier attempt by Simon and other defendants to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the companies' racketeering allegations to proceed. That decision addressed arguments that the alleged conduct was protected because it arose from litigation activity. The court concluded that the conduct alleged by Uber and FedEx could not automatically be shielded from scrutiny simply because it was connected with legal proceedings. Simon subsequently brought counterclaims against Uber and FedEx, accusing the companies of pursuing baseless litigation intended to damage his practice. Those claims were dismissed in August. Following the latest ruling, an Uber spokesperson welcomed the decision and said the company remained confident in its case. Daniel Rhynhart of Blank Rome, representing Simon and his firm, expressed disappointment with the ruling and said the defendants would continue contesting the allegations. The case is scheduled for trial in March 2027. Uber and FedEx have pursued similar racketeering claims involving personal injury lawyers and medical providers in other US jurisdictions, with courts reaching differing conclusions over whether particular allegations satisfy RICO's requirements. Those cases illustrate the difficulties companies can face when attempting to use federal racketeering law to challenge conduct associated with personal injury litigation. Civil RICO claims require plaintiffs to establish statutory elements extending beyond demonstrating that an underlying lawsuit was unsuccessful, exaggerated or disputed. Plaintiffs generally must establish qualifying racketeering activity and an injury to their business or property caused by the alleged conduct. The latest ruling adds another issue: whether insurance payments prevent a corporate plaintiff from establishing the financial injury necessary to pursue a civil RICO claim. For personal injury lawyers, the wider litigation also raises questions about where legitimate representation ends and conduct capable of attracting liability under federal racketeering law begins. The latest decision does not establish misconduct by Simon or Simon & Simon. It allows Uber and FedEx to continue attempting to prove their allegations as the case moves towards trial.

FedEx launches pharma shipping portal across Europe. A new digital portal across 26 European markets aims to simplify the booking and management of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments. BySTAT Times | 13 Oct 2026 9:25 PM FedEx Europe has launched an online portal to help pharmaceutical and life sciences companies book and manage temperature-controlled shipments, simplifying processes for time-sensitive healthcare deliveries across 26 European markets. Introduced ahead of the year-end peak shipping season, the portal provides access to FedEx Temp-Assure Advantage, the company's temperature-controlled shipping solution. It enables customers to complete onboarding, order pre-conditioned packaging, schedule shipments and manage returns through a single digital platform. Designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies and clinical trial operators, the portal aims to improve convenience and control over temperature-sensitive shipments, as demand for biologics, specialty medicines and vaccines increases. FedEx Temp-Assure Advantage combines qualified packaging, tested in the company's packaging laboratory, with its European transportation network to maintain temperature integrity throughout transit. The solution supports frozen shipments between -25°C and -15°C, refrigerated shipments between 2°C and 8°C, and controlled room temperature shipments between 15°C and 25°C. The company said its vacuum-insulated packaging and phase-change materials help maintain the required temperatures for more than 96 hours. CEIV Pharma-certified facilities and standardised processes also support shipment visibility, temperature control and compliance during transportation. The solution incorporates a reusable packaging model in which containers are collected, refurbished and redeployed, helping reduce packaging waste while maintaining performance standards. Toby Hay, managing director of international marketing at FedEx Europe, said, "As pharmaceutical supply chains become more global and increasingly focused on high-value, temperature-sensitive therapies, healthcare companies need logistics partners that can combine reliability, compliance and ease of access. "This new portal represents an important step in simplifying access to specialized temperature-controlled capabilities, helping customers manage critical shipments more efficiently and with greater confidence, particularly as they prepare for the increased demands of the year-end Peak season." The online portal is available for non-freight shipments across domestic and intra-European routes in 26 markets, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Federal Express Corporation is a global express transportation provider, offering fast and reliable delivery services across more than 220 countries and territories through its integrated international air and ground network, enabling time-definite shipments worldwide. The STAT Trade Times is now on WhatsApp Channels! Join Now!

FedEx expands import tool across Asia Pacific with payments. Mon, 12th Oct 2026 (Today) FedEx has expanded its FedEx Import Tool across Asia Pacific and added a duty and tax payment function. The tool is now available in nine markets, including Singapore. The update allows importers to manage customs clearance through a single digital platform, including document submission, clearance processing, shipment tracking, and duty and tax payments. The tool is available in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It can be used by FedEx account holders and guest consignees. The system provides real-time shipment and clearance status updates and sends notifications via SMS, email, or social media when action is required. Users can also submit customs documents digitally and download clearance records on demand. The payment function supports credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Users do not need to log in to make payments. The changes come as import volumes into Asia Pacific rose about 15% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, according to figures cited by FedEx. The company also pointed to growing supply chain complexity in the region, noting that more than a third of businesses now run parallel supply chains to reduce disruption risk. Customs clearance has become a more visible pressure point for importers as businesses deal with varying documentation rules and import procedures across multiple markets. Missing paperwork, incomplete information, or unpaid duties and taxes can prevent shipments from being released and delay inventory flows. The revised import tool is part of a broader push by FedEx to move more shipping and customs processes online. That broader product set also includes FedEx Ship Manager, which is aimed at smaller businesses handling shipments online. FedEx has also introduced AI-based customs tools intended to improve the accuracy of shipping documentation. These include Customs AI, which guides customers in writing product descriptions, and Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code Lookup, which uses machine learning to identify tariff classifications. Incorrect product descriptions and tariff codes are a common source of customs delays, particularly for cross-border shipments moving through several regulatory regimes. Digital systems that prompt users for required information or flag classification issues have become more common among logistics providers seeking to reduce manual intervention. FedEx is one of several transport groups investing in online customs processing as importers seek better visibility over shipment status and border-related costs. Including payment tools within clearance systems reflects demand from businesses that want fewer handoffs between documentation, customs review, and final release. "Businesses today are navigating an increasingly complex landscape of customs regulations, documentation requirements, and import procedures across markets. As these requirements continue to evolve, customers need a simpler and more transparent way to manage import clearance. The enhanced FedEx Import Tool provides greater visibility and control throughout the import journey, helping businesses navigate cross-border trade with greater confidence," said Salil Chari, President, Asia Pacific, FedEx.