Legal blog.

Employment law and consumer protection, explained by the attorneys who litigate it. Straight answers on your rights at work and in the marketplace.

Consumer Rights

GM vehicles recalled due to faulty airbags and suspension bolts

January 31, 2013

GM has announced a recall of 8,519 Chevrolet Malibu sedans in the United States due rear suspension bolts that may not be tightened properly, which could lead to loss of handling, increasing the risk of crashing. Consumers may notice noise and minor handling issues, but as the condition progresses sudden changes in vehicle handling could occur. Starting February 13th, GM will also be recalling 3,896 Buick Veranos, Chevy Camaros, Cruze and […]

Employment Law

2009 Set A Record For Employment Discrimination Claims

January 30, 2013

According to a report released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (EEOC) 2009 held the second highest number of discrimination complaints filed (93,277) in its history. Many commentators have pointed to the recession as a contributing factor to the large number of complaints. Many of the complaints were from people who were terminated as part of their employer’s financial […]

Consumer Rights

Toyota recalls over a million cars worldwide

January 30, 2013

The latest recall effort by Toyota is due to faulty air bags in their Corollas that can improperly inflate and faulty windshield wipers in their Lexus IS that can get stuck if there is heavy snowfall. According to Toyota spokesperson, Naoto Fuse 2 crashes were reported in the U.S. related to the air bag problem. Toyota has also, confirmed 18 cases in […]

Consumer Rights

Bagels Recalled Due To Metal Fragments

January 29, 2013

The parent company of Bimbo Bakeries, BBU, has voluntarily recalled 8 varieties of Thomas bagels, 4 varieties of Sara Lee bagels, 3 varieties of Publix’s bagels and 1 type of Weight Watchers bagel following reports of bagel packages that contained metal bits and fragments. All recalled bagels have “best-by” dates of January 27th listed on the bags. The company blames a faulty manufacturing […]

Consumer Rights

Kia Faces Class Action Lawsuit Due To Defective Parts

January 29, 2013

The lawsuit, alleges that Kia Motors knowingly concealed a defect in the crank sprocket of its 2002-2009 Sorento models, leading to severe over heating, the release of debris, and subsequent loss of steering control, engine failure and the potential for a hazardous accident. Robinson et al v. Kia Motors America Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-00006 The plaintiffs also […]

Consumer Rights

HP Faces Class Action Lawsuit Regarding Unpaid Overtime

January 29, 2013

A class action lawsuit has been filed following allegations that Hewlett-Packard Company, (HP) has been incorrectly categorizing some of its employees as “exempt” and failing to pay them for overtime hours in violation of federal employment law. HP’s technical support workers, who work in titles such as Technical Solutions Consultants, Technical Solutions Representatives, Technical Support Engineers, and Senior Technical Support […]

Consumer Rights

Peter Holland on Debt Buyers and Robo-Signing

January 26, 2013

Peter A. Holland of Maryland has written The One Hundred Billion Dollar Problem in Small Claims Court: Robo-Signing and Lack of Proof in Debt Buyer Cases, 6 Journal of Business & Technology Law 101 (2011). Here’s the abstract: Recent years have seen the rise of a new industry which has clogged the dockets of small […]

Consumer Rights

Are you getting calls from 815-676-6428?

January 24, 2013

Our consumer protection law firm has been getting several complaints about repetitive calls from this company. We have a client who has informed them that they are calling the wrong number and she does not know the person they are looking for, but the calls continue. Both the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, (TCPA) and Fair […]

Consumer Rights

Who called you from 757-961-3544?

January 24, 2013

We have heard many complaints from consumers stating that they are getting collection calls from this number regarding debts owed by people that they do not know. When a debt collector finds out that they have the wrong phone number, they are not supposed to continue to harass that innocent consumer, however that is not always […]

Consumer Rights

Payday Loan Scams

January 24, 2013

In recent years, reports of consumers receiving harassing calls by scam artists pretending to be payday loan debt collectors attempting to collect on supposedly delinquent payday loans has been on the rise. These scam artists use various coercion techniques, including abusive language, threats of bodily harm or arrest in an attempt to bully victims in to sending them money. Unfortunately, many consumers have […]

Consumer Rights

Getting Spam Text Messages From Target or Best Buy?

January 23, 2013

Don’t be fooled! Those text messages are from scammers pretending to be legitimate companies as part of a ruse to get your personal information. The text gives you a link that looks like Target or Best Buy websites, but they are not. NBC News recently covered our investigation and pending lawsuit against the company that is sending […]

Consumer Rights

Robo-Dial TCPA Case Against Best Buy

January 22, 2013

On October 17, 2012, in the case Chesbro v. Best Buy Stores, L.P., the Court ruled that “robocalls” made by Best Buy to remind consumers to use their Best Buy “Reward Zone” points are telemarketing calls and are indeed subject to the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Plaintiff Michael Chesbro bought a computer from Best Buy and claims he […]