Public Justice
EPA Shuts Down Dangerous Asbestos Removal Method
Egregious Medical Neglect Leads to Another Detainee’s Death; Public Justice Joins Lawsuit Battling ‘Unconscionable System
Public Justice’s reputation for championing immigrant detainees’ rights has brought another in search of justice to Public Justice’s doorstep—the sister of a detainee who died in custody because officials did not respond to her critical medical condition until it was too late. In February, Public Justice…
Third Circuit Rules that American Express May Not Escape Liability for Cheating Consumers by Banning Class Actions
In a triumph for consumers in New Jersey and across the country, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on February 24, held that held that the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) does not preempt—or wipe away—state laws that protect consumers from abusive contract…
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Federal Preemption Claims in Prescription Drug Labeling, ‘Light’ Cigarette Fraud Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued two resoundingly pro-consumer decisions rejecting federal preemption of state-law claims involving injured consumers. In a March 4 ruling, the Court held 6-to-3 that federal law does not preempt lawsuits against prescription drug manufacturers for failing to warn of their drug’s…
Alaska Supreme Court Adopts ‘Bright-Line Rule’ that Spares Workers Substantial Arbitration Costs in Employment Actions
n a victory for workers who seek to vindicate their rights under the Alaska Wage and Hour Act (AWHA), the Alaska Supreme Court held on April 3 that employers may not require their employees to arbitrate their wage and hour claims unless the employer is…
New Mexico Supreme Court Blasts World Finance’s Arbitration Scheme; Unanimous Decision Favors Borrowers and Consumers Who Were Targeted by One-Sided Clause
When Laura Cordova of Las Vegas, New Mexico got sick and fell behind on her short-term loan payments, she explained her situation to the lender, World Finance. Apparently, the company didn’t believe her because, for weeks, agents for World Finance called Ms. Cordova on her…
Mountaintop Removal Mine Blocked in Virginia
Less than a week after Public Justice filed a complaint in federal court and threatened to seek a temporary restraining order, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended its permit that would have allowed A&G Coal Corporation to begin filling nearly three miles of streams…
Federal Court Rules Nationwide Lawsuit against Cingular/AT&T for Overcharges, Poor Cell Phone Service May Proceed
A class action lawsuit charging that millions of cell phone users were misled and overcharged when Cingular merged with AT&T Wireless in 2004 may go forward, a federal court ruled on May 26. In a victory for consumers nationwide, the U.S. District Court for the District…