| Volume 51 Number 10 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
In Texas, it is unlawful for a business to charge more to someone who uses a credit card. On the other hand, it is legal to give a discount for someone who pays cash. Why? Credit card companies discount the amount they pay a merchant when you pay with a credit card. A store receives "more" when a customer pays cash. Giving a discount to cash customers is a way to treat both cash and credit card customers the same. Click here for more.
Lawsuits Lead to Over-Testing in ER
Emergency room doctors must make "life or death" decisions every second. The emergency room is a face-paced environment, putting additional pressures on doctors to find and treat illnesses in the most efficient manner. As a result of malpractice lawsuits, many emergency room physicians are ordering unnecessary tests for fear of being sued. The result can be just as dangerous. For example, a CT scan unloads three years worth of radiation on to a body in a matter of seconds, dramatically increasing susceptibility to cancer. When does a test become unnecessary? When can it save your life? Click here for more.
Warning Signs: Home Wiring & Fire Hazards
In 2007, nearly 52,000 home fires involve an electrical malfunction. Electrical fires are responsible for hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and billions in damage every year. Faulty electrical systems, lamps, and extension cables are among the top causes of home electrical fires. Is your home wired for fire? What can you do to avoid a fire? Click here for more.
iOS 4 Available Now for iPhone
Do you own an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS? If so, you can now update your iPhone operating system to iOS 4. The new operating system allows consumers to multitask, use a consolidated email box, and read iBooks. iOS 4 is available for free for all compatible devices, but must be updated using iTunes 9.2 or later. Click here for more.
Your Money
How much house can your afford? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Supreme Court rules arbitration agreement can require issue of unconscionability must be decided by the arbitrator. In a significant arbitration decision, the court found that Jackson’s complaints went to the fairness of the arbitration clause in general, not to the agreement to delegate disputes over enforceability to the arbitrator in particular. Therefore, the question was one for the arbitrator to decide. Click here for more.