Why Hulk Hogan’s Sex Tape Matters to Us
$115 million dollars. That’s how much money a jury in [...]
The Attorney General is Our State’s Front-Line Fraud Fighter
Across the nation, the first week of March is celebrated as Consumer Protection Week. In New Jersey, the Attorney General’s office marks this occasion by warning consumers about the latest scams, and releasing data on consumer complaints that were filed with the office over the previous year. As in years past, this year’s data suggest that the Attorney General’s office, specifically the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, is the public’s most important protector against scam artists and fraudsters.
Christie Outlines Budget Priorities
On February 16, Gov. Christie delivered his budget address to a joint session of the legislature, officially kicking off negotiations on the state’s FY 2017 budget. The legislature’s focus for the next few months will essentially be on the budget, as it must be passed by July 1.
Bill Introduced to Overhaul New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act
Have you ever clicked “shrink to fit” or “shrink one page” in order to save paper by printing out a document that is just over one page on a single sheet? If so, you may be in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, which has very specific rules about appropriate font size. If someone successfully sues you over your green printing habits, you will owe them 3 times what they are claiming as damages, and you will have to pay their attorneys’ fees (as well as your own). Seems a bit excessive doesn’t it?
“Holy Hot Fajitas” Suit Voted New Jersey’s Most Ludicrous Lawsuit of 2015
A lot of ridiculous lawsuits were filed in New Jersey this year, but only one can be crowned 2015’s Most Ludicrous Lawsuit. This year, the esteemed honor goes to the man who tried to sue Applebee’s because his fajitas were too hot to pray over.
New Jersey’s Consumer Protection Laws & Outlier Arbitration Rulings Highlighted in Annual “Judicial Hellholes” Report
The American Tort Reform Association has released its annual “Judicial Hellholes” report, and New Jersey is once again recognized as a state on the brink of becoming a litigation hot spot. ATRA notes that our state’s consumer protection laws are far from mainstream, and our court system is becoming hostile to arbitration agreements, in direct contravention of federal law.
Frivolous Lawsuits Have Serious Consequences
The U.S. Chamber features the Institute for Legal Reform’s Executive Vice President Harold Kim in a new podcast, discussing how our legal climate plays an increasingly influential role in a company's planning and operations. The podcast also features Roberto Guerrero, owner of Cumaica coffee in San Francisco, who shares the story of his own legal battle, and his advice for other business owners.
Fraud and Abuse Abound in Asbestos Cases
Last year’s eye-opening decision in the case In re Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC was shocking. We had long suspected that asbestos plaintiffs and their attorneys were gaming the system in order to increase their recoveries, but we had no idea just how big of a problem it was. Garlock showed that mitigating evidence had been withheld in almost all the cases brought against it over the past decade, but was the same thing happening in cases brought against other defendants?
Top News Clips for the Week of October 24-30
A selection of the need-to-know civil justice news for the week of October 24-30.
Trick or Treat… or Lawsuit?
This spooky seasons brings out ghosts, ghouls, and all manner of monsters, but it is also a magnet for litigation. This leads us to ask, trick or treat… or lawsuit?