Consumer Law

Man Sues Neighbor Over Bad Vibes, Says She Must Turn Off Electronics

A man who says he suffers from “electromagnetic sensitivities” has sued a neighbor and now former friend in New Mexico state court, seeking $530,000 in damages and a court order requiring her to turn off her wireless electronic devices. The plaintiff homeowner, Arthur Firstenberg, 59, says he asked defendant Raphaela…

Mar 30, 2010 6:47 PM CDT

Law Firm Warns: Don’t Deposit Bogus Cashier Checks Seemingly Drawn on Our Account

An Arkansas law firm is warning colleagues and consumers to think twice before depositing a cashier’s check that appears to be drawn on its account. Someone has been sending out bogus checks that appear to come from McCutchen & Sexton but don’t, the Ft. Smith trial firm says in a…

Mar 29, 2010 10:51 PM CDT

Newzbin Is Liable for Downloading, Court Rules

A United Kingdom court has ruled that Newzbin is liable for material downloaded by users onto its website in violation of copyright law, finding that editors assisted them in flouting the law and routinely did not follow purported Newzbin rules about what could be posted on the site. The website,…

Mar 29, 2010 5:27 PM CDT

Plaintiff Lawyers Vie for Coveted Lead Counsel Role in Toyota Litigation

Some 100 lawsuits have been filed against Toyota Motor Corp. throughout the United States, blaming the automaker for alleged injuries ranging from fatal accidents to diminished vehicle value after widespread reports of claimed sudden-acceleration problems with some models. But by the time the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reaches…

Mar 25, 2010 8:26 PM CDT

Top State Court Fines County $371K for Delayed Response to 1997 Public Records Request

Nearly 13 years ago, Armen Yousoufian made a public records request to King County, Wash., which received a partial response. Three years later, he filed suit to obtain the rest of the material he requested. As of today, it appears that he has a final answer concerning the penalty to…

Mar 25, 2010 5:54 PM CDT

Out-of-State Law Grad Settles Suit Over Wis. ‘Diploma Privilege’ for $7,500

After more than three years of litigation, an out-of-state law graduate has apparently tired of pursing a onetime federal class action over Wisconsin’s so-called diploma privilege, under which graduates of the state’s two law schools are automatically admitted into the Wisconsin bar. Hence, Christopher Wiesmueller accepted $7,500 last week to…

Mar 24, 2010 10:46 PM CDT

After Iraq Practice, Veteran Fights for Consumer Justice at Home

After being shot at and mortared while serving in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps in Iraq several years ago, the daily difficulties of fighting for consumer justice back home in South Florida don’t seem daunting to Gregory Weiss. He says his biggest challenge was dealing with a medical…

Mar 24, 2010 10:11 PM CDT

If Doctors Ask the Right Questions, Patients Can Be Pointed Toward Legal Help

Training busy doctors to ask the right questions to identify legal issues in the midst of a medical exam can be a challenge. But a growing trend toward partnering hospitals with legal services clinics is helping low-income patients address the life issues that are exacerbating their medical problems, reports the…

Mar 23, 2010 9:34 PM CDT

Rogue Repo Man Allegedly Disabled 100 Cars Remotely in Hack Attack

A laid-off employee of a Texas auto dealership is accused of using another worker’s computer password to remotely disable more than 100 vehicles. The dealership initially attributed complaints of honking horns and nonstarting cars to mechanical failure. It sells vehicles to customers who otherwise would not qualify for credit in…

Mar 18, 2010 5:18 PM CDT

Appeals Court OKs Cyberbullying Suit, Says Threats Nixed SLAPP Law

Ruling on a defendant’s argument that a so-called SLAPP law precluded a tort claim for alleged cyberbullying, a divided California appeals court has given the green light to the defamation and civil rights suit by the unidentified teen victim and his family. In a written opinion (PDF) on Monday, a…

Mar 18, 2010 12:09 AM CDT

Detroit to Tell Workers to Tone Down Scented Products Under ADA Settlement

The scent of litigation success isn’t a sweet smell for at least one plaintiff who recently won a $100,000 settlement in a federal Americans with Disabilities Act discrimination case. As part of the pact in the federal lawsuit filed by planner Susan McBride, the city of Detroit has agreed to…

Mar 16, 2010 5:16 PM CDT

When Not Working for Paying Clients, Lawyer Is Suing Officials ... and Growing Veggies

Larry Loigman has a general practice in New Jersey. But the 55-year-old Middletown practitioner is best-known for what amounts to volunteer work litigating against local government, reports the Asbury Park Press. From alleged fiscal mismanagement by government officials to illegal duck crossings, Loigman doesn’t hesitate to step in and file…

Mar 15, 2010 7:33 PM CDT

Plaintiff Law Firm Bought Competitor Keywords, Too, Argues Defense in Web Ad Suit

In an unusual lawsuit filed in November, a Wisconsin law firm claimed that a competitor had violated state privacy law by purchasing its name from several search engines for use as advertising keywords. By doing so, Cannon & Dunphy improperly arranged to put its own law firm profile atop the…

Mar 15, 2010 5:10 PM CDT

‘West Coast Ralph Nader’ Dies at 91, Kept Justice Frankfurter Note on Desk

After growing up during the Great Depression, William Bennett dropped out of law school to serve as a bomber pilot in World War II, flying 35 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe and returning with the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Bronze Star medals. By the time he graduated from University of…

Mar 5, 2010 8:17 PM CST

1000s of Exhibitors & Attendees Jilted by Bogus Bridal Show Pitched on Web

Attracted by the opportunity to market their wedding-related products and services to a huge group of brides-to-be, hundreds of would-be exhibitors paid $350 to $4,000 for a chance to promote their businesses at The Boston 411 Home & Bridal Show 2010. Meanwhile, some 5,000 individuals paid $10 to $15 for…

Mar 3, 2010 1:15 AM CST