May 16, 2012
In News Release
Public Justice
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
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…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
Proposed Settlement with CBS and Toy Retailers to Give Refunds for ‘CSI’ Toy Fingerprint Kits That May Contain Asbestos
Public Justice and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization announced on July 1 that a proposed settlement of a nationwide class action against CBS Broadcasting, Inc. and major toy retailers, if approved, will give cash refunds to consumers and effectively implement a nationwide recall of toy…
May 1, 2012
In Updates
NC Superior Court Sides with Consumers
Three rulings could pave the way for North Carolinians to recoup the illegally high fees paid to payday lendersA North Carolina Superior Court judge has ruled that the mandatory arbitration agreements in three payday lenders’ consumer contracts are unenforceable, effectively giving the go-ahead to class…