May 2014

Honoring Our Servicemembers on Memorial Day

Submitted by Jamar Hudson on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 02:40

On Memorial Day, we remember and honor the servicemembers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedom. We thank you for your service and for protecting our country and our rights, and freedom.

Victims of eBay’s Massive Data Breach May Never Have Their Day in Court

Submitted by Sarah Jones on Fri, 05/23/2014 - 15:49

eBay, the billion-dollar online auction company, has been hit with the second largest data breach in history, with more than 145 million users affected, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Although eBay insists that users’ financial information is safe, it confirmed that hackers were able to steal personal information including names, birth dates, email addresses, and passwords which could be used for identity theft. 

Unfortunately, victims may find that they cannot hold the tech giant accountable in court because of a forced arbitration clause buried in eBay's terms of service. 

Tech companies like eBay use forced arbitration clauses to evade privacy laws because they allow the company to kick violated users out of court and instead funnel them into a rigged forum run by an arbitrator selected by the company. This arbitrator is not required to have any legal training and does not even have to follow the law.

Top 10 Myths on Forced Arbitration You Will Likely Hear from the U.S. Chamber’s Lawyer

Submitted by Brian Dupre on Wed, 05/21/2014 - 14:21

Today, the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Legislative Proposals to Improve Transparency and Accountability at the CFPB” 

CJ&D Fact Sheet Uncovers Koch Industries Role in Asbestos Legislation

Submitted by Jamar Hudson on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 17:58

The asbestos-disease epidemic is one of the longest-running public health crises in the world.  Asbestos is still legal in the United States and kills at least 10,000 Americans every year.  It is estimated that asbestos will have killed 432,465 Americans by 2029.  

Medical Error Causes Pain, Suffering for Marine Veteran

Submitted by Jamar Hudson on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 16:52

Every year, 440,000 patients are killed in America by preventable medical errors, and countless more are injured.

Among those who have been injured by a medical error is United States Marine veteran Tony Yeary. 

VIDEO: Paul Bland Discusses Class Actions and Justice with Media Mattters

Submitted by Jamar Hudson on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 12:18

Class actions are often the only way that individuals can seek justice when they are faced with widespread corporate wrongdoing, but a series of recent  Supreme Court decisions threatens to eliminate the right of consumers and workers with similar claims to band together to hold corporations accountable.  Without class actions, Americans will have to take on corporations alone – often in the rigged system of forced arbitration – if they have the will to take them on at all.

How was GM Driven to Safety?

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Sun, 05/18/2014 - 00:00

GM put over 2.6 million dangerous cars on the road endangering American lives and causing at least 13 deaths. But if GM had its way, the public would never have known about its deadly ignition switch scandal because GM insisted on court secrecy.

The danger was finally exposed by grieving parents and their attorney.

Put Safety over Secrecy - Take Action: Support the Sunshine in Litigation Act!

Forced Arbitration: Bargain-Basement Justice

Submitted by Jamar Hudson on Fri, 05/16/2014 - 13:05

Forced arbitration clauses allow corporations to single-handedly kick Americans out of court and funnel them into a dispute mill that is rigged, secretive and decided by an arbitrator who does not even have to follow the law. Corporations bury these clauses in the fine print of everything from credit card and banking agreements to student loan documents and cell phone contracts. 

If Device Manufacturers are Not Accountable, Women’s Health is at Risk

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 09:49

Gender-specific devices are a multi-billion dollar industry and often plagued by corporate neglect and serious health risks. For decades, manufacturers have put thoughts of health concerns to the side as they marketed their products to women.

National Women’s Health Week and the Civil Justice System

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Tue, 05/13/2014 - 17:34

Women are often exposed to dangerous medical products and medical errors at a higher degree than men.  Some medical errors are unique to women, like obstetrical or gynecological errors, and too often women across the country have suffered tremendously from defective, gender-specific drugs and devices.