A New Jersey judge has approved a class action settlement, valued by plaintiffs at $20 million, of a 10-year suit over Ciba-Geigy chemicals that allegedly caused groundwater contamination and reduced the value of nearby homes.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, New Jersey’s largest health insurer, has agreed to settle a federal class action by ambulatory surgical centers who claim they were shortchanged on reimbursements for out-of-network care. The deal requires cash payments totaling $22 million, but class counsel Bruce Nagel says it is worth more than $200 million due to other provisions, the value of which remains to be quantified. Nagel and co-counsel Neil Prupis are to receive at least $7.3 million, one-third of the $22 million.

A federal judge has granted shareholders’ request to have an independent examiner investigate whether creditors and the Washington Mutual estate are leaving billions on the table in a proposed settlement. The shareholders believe the proposed plan might shortchange the value of certain WaMu assets and of potentially explosive legal claims WaMu might make against JPMorgan. An examiner, to be appointed Monday, will issue a preliminary report by Sept

The New York State Commission on Public Integrity said Tuesday the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and two other lobbying groups are suspected of holding receptions where lawmakers were offered food and drink in excess of the value allowed by law.