The American Association for Justice released an incredible report yesterday--- They all Knew and Failed to.... The report details how lawsuits keep us safe.
Listed in the report are numerous examples of companies that knowingly and willfully released products that harmed or even killed consumers. It describes the case of a company that discovers rat droppings are contaminating its food products but insists that the products be recooked, boxed up, and sold anyway. Then there is the example of a company that discovers its bulletproof vests are defective but still sells them to law enforcement agencies and the military-- putting those that protect us at grave risk.
Showing posts with label consumer issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consumer issues. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Consumer Financial Protection Agency Bill is Right to Address Forced Arbitration, Says Coalition
For Immediate Release: July 14, 2009
CONTACT:
Angela Bradbery, Public Citizen
202-588-7741, abradbery@citizen.org
Kerri Axelrod, American Association for Justice
202-965-3500 x740, kerri.axelrod@justice.org
Consumer Financial Protection Agency Bill is Right to Address Forced Arbitration, Says Coalition
Today, the Senate Banking Committee will hear testimony on the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The following is a statement from David Arkush* of the Fair Arbitration Now Coalition regarding the House draft of the bill (H.R. 3126), sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass):
Washington, DC – “The new Consumer Financial Protection Agency should provide a critical check on the unscrupulous practices of the financial industry that have inflicted economic hardship on American families.
“We are encouraged that the House bill addresses forced arbitration. Ending this predatory practice in consumer financial contracts is critical to protecting consumers and restoring accountability in the financial marketplace.
“Forced arbitration clauses are hidden in the fine print of everyday consumer contracts from job applications and nursing home agreements to credit card billing inserts and mortgage loans. Corporations use these one-sided arbitration clauses as a shield to avoid accountability and a sword to hound consumers for debts they may not even owe.
“We look forward to working with members of Congress in the coming weeks to strengthen the House language and ensure that the legal rights of Americans are safeguarded against predatory financial corporations.”
The Fair Arbitration Now Coalition has over 70 members and supporters, representing consumers, employees, homeowners and franchise holders. The groups range from Public Citizen, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the National Employment Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice to Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America.
Two other bills have been introduced that would stem the abusive practice of forced arbitration. The bipartisan Arbitration Fairness Act (S. 931 / H.R. 1020), sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), would ensure that the decision to arbitrate is made voluntarily and after a dispute has arisen, so corporations cannot manipulate the arbitration system in their favor at the expense of consumers and employees. The bipartisan Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S. 512 / H.R. 1237), introduced by Sens. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts.
* David Arkush is the Director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch Division.
For more information, visit www.FairArbitrationNow.org.
###
CONTACT:
Angela Bradbery, Public Citizen
202-588-7741, abradbery@citizen.org
Kerri Axelrod, American Association for Justice
202-965-3500 x740, kerri.axelrod@justice.org
Consumer Financial Protection Agency Bill is Right to Address Forced Arbitration, Says Coalition
Today, the Senate Banking Committee will hear testimony on the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The following is a statement from David Arkush* of the Fair Arbitration Now Coalition regarding the House draft of the bill (H.R. 3126), sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass):
Washington, DC – “The new Consumer Financial Protection Agency should provide a critical check on the unscrupulous practices of the financial industry that have inflicted economic hardship on American families.
“We are encouraged that the House bill addresses forced arbitration. Ending this predatory practice in consumer financial contracts is critical to protecting consumers and restoring accountability in the financial marketplace.
“Forced arbitration clauses are hidden in the fine print of everyday consumer contracts from job applications and nursing home agreements to credit card billing inserts and mortgage loans. Corporations use these one-sided arbitration clauses as a shield to avoid accountability and a sword to hound consumers for debts they may not even owe.
“We look forward to working with members of Congress in the coming weeks to strengthen the House language and ensure that the legal rights of Americans are safeguarded against predatory financial corporations.”
The Fair Arbitration Now Coalition has over 70 members and supporters, representing consumers, employees, homeowners and franchise holders. The groups range from Public Citizen, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the National Employment Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice to Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America.
Two other bills have been introduced that would stem the abusive practice of forced arbitration. The bipartisan Arbitration Fairness Act (S. 931 / H.R. 1020), sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), would ensure that the decision to arbitrate is made voluntarily and after a dispute has arisen, so corporations cannot manipulate the arbitration system in their favor at the expense of consumers and employees. The bipartisan Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S. 512 / H.R. 1237), introduced by Sens. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts.
* David Arkush is the Director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch Division.
For more information, visit www.FairArbitrationNow.org.
###
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Hypocrisy of attacks on consumers
The efforts being made by tort reformers to make it harder for citizens to stand up for their rights is part of a larger attack on the health and safety of all consumers. Consumers are under attack by large business interests, and tort reform is just one battleground. Others are in the health care and financial arenas. In order to see the hypocrisy of these 'reformers,' it is necessary to look no further than the AJC.
For example, an AJC article last week reported that both of Georgia's Senators were among the 32 Republicans who just voted against the bill to expand health insurance coverage to 4 million children who are presently uninsured. The estimated cost of that legislation is $32 billion over the next 4-1/2 years, or around $7 billion per year. Yet in the same issue of the AJC, it was reported in another article that banking executives had paid themselves $18 billion in bonuses over the past year -- using funds from the massive financial industry bailout that was supported by the same Georgia Senators. What is more important, $7 billion to provide health care for 4 million American, or $18 billion to make rich bankers even richer?
The week before, the AJC reported that a four-year study by the GAO revealed woeful deficiencies in the FDA's review process for approval of medical devices. The article stated that 228 medical devices had been approved by the FDA without adequate review, and reported that “the FDA acknowledged the problem.” But in the same issue of the AJC, there was an editorial by columnist Jim Wooten supporting Governor Perdue's proposal to immunize companies from lawsuits over deaths and injuries caused by FDA-approved drugs and medical devices which may be dangerous despite being rubber-stamped by FDA bureaucrats. Peanuts, anyone?
For example, an AJC article last week reported that both of Georgia's Senators were among the 32 Republicans who just voted against the bill to expand health insurance coverage to 4 million children who are presently uninsured. The estimated cost of that legislation is $32 billion over the next 4-1/2 years, or around $7 billion per year. Yet in the same issue of the AJC, it was reported in another article that banking executives had paid themselves $18 billion in bonuses over the past year -- using funds from the massive financial industry bailout that was supported by the same Georgia Senators. What is more important, $7 billion to provide health care for 4 million American, or $18 billion to make rich bankers even richer?
The week before, the AJC reported that a four-year study by the GAO revealed woeful deficiencies in the FDA's review process for approval of medical devices. The article stated that 228 medical devices had been approved by the FDA without adequate review, and reported that “the FDA acknowledged the problem.” But in the same issue of the AJC, there was an editorial by columnist Jim Wooten supporting Governor Perdue's proposal to immunize companies from lawsuits over deaths and injuries caused by FDA-approved drugs and medical devices which may be dangerous despite being rubber-stamped by FDA bureaucrats. Peanuts, anyone?
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