Jamar Hudson's blog

With the holiday season in full swing, so begins the busiest shopping period of the year. As millions prepare to line up in hopes of catching that post-Thanksgiving, Black Friday sale or getting started on finding that new gadget their loved one wants for Christmas, consumers across the country will make purchases with the assumption that the products are safe and have been properly tested. 

But is that always the case?

Over 98,000 people die each year as a result of medical errors that could’ve been prevented. Preventable medical errors are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and cost our country $29 billion a year.

A year ago this week, the American Association for Justice launched Take Justice Back. The aim of the campaign is simple – to help protect the civil justice system as well as the rights of Americans. When corporations act irresponsibly, they must be held accountable just like anybody else. 

Nearly 80 percent of all prescriptions in the U.S. are filled with the generic version of a drug.  And while the lower prices can be appealing to the consumer and health care providers, the consequences of generic drugs can be dangerous. 

Patients who take generic drugs lose their right to justice. All drug corporations should be accountable for warning patients about the dangers drugs can pose. 

Generic drugs make up 80% of all prescriptions filled in the United States. But generic drug manufacturers cannot independently update their labels to warn of new side-effects and cannot be held accountable if their drugs injure or kill Americans.

 On Wednesday, Oct. 25, American Association for Justice president Burton LeBlanc appeared on the Ed Schultz Radio Show with guest host Mike Papantonio to discuss the dangers forced arbitration can have on small businesses and consumers. 

Most Americans don't realize they've forfeited their legal rights until it is too late. Buried in the fine print of many contracts are dangerous forced arbitration clauses that eliminate access to justice. Do you use a credit card? Then you have probably “agreed” to forced arbitration. What happens if you catch the bank stealing your money with phony interest fees? See if you can hold it accountable.

Take the time to see how consumers can become trapped in the forced arbitration maze by clicking the picture above.