| Volume 68 Number 3 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Layaway is becoming more and more popular, but there is no special layaway law in Texas. That means how much you pay to set up the plan and how much you lose if you don’t complete the payments will be determined by your agreement. Before you sign, carefully your contract and determine what it might cost you. Click here for more.
Beware: Post-Storm Scams
The northeast has already seen an unusually early snow storm. Many were left without power for days. Seeing an opportunity to make a quick buck, some untrustworthy people went door-to-door claiming to work for the electric company, offering to restore power for a $200 fee. Don't be fooled! Any time a major weather event or disaster occurs, there will be people who see it as an easy-money opportunity. Always be suspicious of door-to-door workers, always ask for appropriate identification, and always follow-up with the company by phone before authorizing any repairs. Click here for more.
Year End: Last Minute Tax Savings
It isn't too early to start preparing for tax season. In fact, starting now may save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. What moves can you make before the end of the year to increase your return, or decrease the amount you will owe? Click here for more.
Vacation: How to Survive a Lost Wallet
What happens if you lose your wallet or purse while you're on vacation? What if you lose your ID or passport while out of state or out of the country? Will you still be able to get on a plane without an ID? Most people don't ask these questions until after they've already lost their identification and credit cards. According to TSA, you do not need a government-issued photo ID for domestic travel. In the alternative, you can use "two forms of non-photo identification, one of which must have been issued by a state or federal agency." If you lose your ID, credit card, or other important document, file a police report immediately. How can you survive a lost wallet? What unique challenges will you face if you lose your passport during international travel? Click here for more.
Your Money
In the market for a car? How much will the loan really cost you? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Car manufacturer liable for passenger’s death. The Fifth Circuit held that the manufacturer of a sports utility vehicle could be liable for the death of passenger who was ejected from her reclined seat in a rollover crash. The claim was based on a design defect in the front seat. The court noted, “To succeed on their design defect claim, the [plaintiffs] must have shown that a safer alternative – limiting the seat recline to a 45 degree angle – would have prevented or significantly reduced the risk of [their daughter’s] injuries. …” “The [plaintiffs’] expert … testified that seats reclined more than a 45 degree angle lead to a significantly increased risk of ejection. He further testified that ejection increases the risk of serious injury or death by six to thirteen times. The Texas statute only requires proof of a safer alternative design that ‘in reasonable probability’ would have reduced the claimant’s injuries, which [the expert’s] testimony adequately provided.” Click here for more.