1.   Local people took out a private lawsuit against the oil company over water contamination.

2.   Already, Wigand has filed an affidavit in a private Massachusetts lawsuit suggesting that the tobacco industry chose not to produce cigarettes less likely to start fires.

3.   America Online also is facing several private lawsuits by disgruntled customers who say the company reneged on its promise to provide them with efficient on-line service.

4.   As for the private lawsuit, he said that half the complaints were for sexual discrimination, not harassment.

5.   At least five private lawsuits have been filed against the company for reneging on its promise to provide efficient on-line service.

6.   At the same time, Microsoft faces the threat of a rising wave of consumer class-action cases and other private lawsuits.

7.   Boies successfully defended IBM in a private lawsuit filed by California Computer Products without ever calling a witness the trial.

8.   A California federal appeals court said the law only permits private lawsuits aimed at toughening, rather than easing, government habitat protections.

9.   A decision shielding the commission from such private lawsuits would still be important.

10.   A company spokesman said he knew of no related private lawsuits.