Antitrust laws exist on both the state and federal levels. Their primary purpose is to protect consumers from unfair business practices. Specifically, antitrust laws ensure competition among businesses; that is, they prohibit business practices that deprive consumers of the benefits that come from businesses competing with one another. Without such competition, consumers would likely pay more money for the products and services they buy. Additionally, there would be less motivation for businesses to improve processes and be innovative. Consumers would likely see far fewer new and improved products in the marketplace.
Since the 1970s, the popularity of condominiums has grown steadily. Condominiums are typically less expensive than freestanding homes and are a viable option for couples who like to travel or who want to downsize after their children have moved on to their own homes. They’re also a good option for people who are not interested in yard work or outdoor maintenance.
Recent years have seen an increase in consumer lawsuits. These lawsuits often involve claims with small value and, as such, are often combined into class actions in order to make the lawsuits worth pursuing. Such lawsuits can be brought under a variety of theories including consumer fraud, unfair trade practices, unjust enrichment.
Belt Law Firm’s product liability attorneys have the experience and knowledge to handle any type of products liability claim. The firm has successfully tried and settled numerous claims for products liability and breach of warranty against some of the world's largest and most powerful manufacturers.
In the last 10 years, class action lawsuits against insurance companies have grown. The very nature of the insurance industry lends itself to similar factual scenarios that invite class actions. This is true regardless of the type of insurance at issue – health, life, auto, fire, home, malpractice, etc.
In the United States, employees have many rights including the right to fair pay. Nevertheless, many employees are denied proper wages and small individual wage claims are often not pursued. Thus, combining similar individual claims into one class action can vindicate the rights of a large number of employees at one time.
“Mass tort” is a legal term that encompasses a certain type of personal injury litigation. Specifically, it describes a civil action in which a large number of plaintiffs sue common corporate defendants in state or federal court. Additionally, a mass tort must involve factual and legal commonalities, typically a single alleged wrong such as an accident or exposure to a harmful substance, product, or drug.
Despite the increasing popularity of online trading companies that allow consumers to buy and sell their own stocks, the majority of Americans rely on brokers and financial advisors for most, if not all, of their investing decisions. In fact, the buying, selling and managing of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds (known collectively as securities) is a major industry unto itself.
Specifically, a physician may not refer a Medicare or Medicaid patient for any designated health service to a facility in which he or she (or an immediate family member) has a financial interest or relationship.
Due to its extensive size and numerous functions, the federal government cannot adequately protect itself against fraud and financial abuses without the help of ordinary citizens. The False Claims Act -- also known as Lincoln's Law, the Informer's Act or the Qui Tam Statute -- allows a private citizen to sue a person or company that is fraudulently billing the federal government. Actions under this law typically involve government spending programs such as health care, education, social security or the U.S. military. Several states have also created False Claims Act statutes, which enable them to recover money at the state level.
