Major business rulings by the Supreme Court

• Wal-Mart vs. Dukes: Threw out a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 1.5 million women who accused the retailer of sex discrimination.

• American Electric Power vs. Connecticut: Threw out an environmental lawsuit that sought to require five major power producers to limit discharges of carbon pollution.

• AT&T Mobility vs. Concepcion: Held that a company’s arbitration clause prevents its customers from suing in a class action for fraud.

• PLIVA vs. Mensing: Ruled that makers of generic drugs cannot be sued for failing to warn patients of new dangers or side effects.

• Sorrell vs. IMS Health: Decided that drug makers have a free-speech right to buy private prescription records to use in sales pitches to physicians.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce vs. Whiting: Held that employers can be deprived of their state license to do business if they hire illegal immigrant workers.

Source: Los Angeles Times research