| Volume 99 Number 7 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Are you being harassed by a debt collector? What happens if you can't pay your bills? Can a creditor take your furniture? What happens if you're sued?
Find the answers to these questions and more on the debt collection section of my website!
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TSA Set to Add New Fees
Back in December, Congress agreed to increase Transportation Security Administration fees as part of a budget deal. The change called for a flat $5.60 each way. Previously, TSA fees were $2.50 for a non-stop flight, and $5 for a trip with a connection.
On Friday, TSA requested a change to the definition of round-trip. Under the change, TSA could charge another $5.60 fee when a domestic connection is more than four hours.
Consumers and airlines aren't happy about the proposed changes. It could disproportionately hurt rural consumers who require more connections to reach their final destinations.
The fee proposal could generate nearly $17 billion over the next decade compared to the current structure.
What are consumer advocates and airlines doing to oppose the proposal?
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General Motors Hit With $10 Billion Suit
General Motors is having a bad year. It has ordered recalls on more than 20 million vehicles so far this year. It is dealing with a lawsuit over an ignition switch defect that could cost the company a fortune. Virtually every day, the company makes the news for something negative.
Consumers are taking notice.
On Wednesday, attorneys filed a lawsuit in California that could be worth more than $10 billion. The lawsuit seeks "brand damage" restitution to a potential 15 million GM vehicle owners. According to the lawsuit, the slew of bad press and recalls have caused some vehicle to lose $500 to $2,600 in resale value.
The lawsuit is seeking class actions status for vehicles purchased or leased from July 10, 2009, and April 1, 2014.
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Antidepressant Warning May Have Backfired
According to new research, since "black box" warnings have been added to antidepressant drugs, the use of antidepressants has dropped by 31%. The study, published by the British Medical Journal, also notes that the instance of suicide attempts among adolescents has risen by 22 percent with a 34 percent increase among young adults.
The warnings were meant to protect patients against suicidal thoughts. However, the warnings had an unintended consequence, causing un-medicated patients to actually make attempts on their own lives. According to one psychiatrist, some people who needed medication may have avoided it because of the warnings. As a result, some lives may have been unnecessarily lost.
Was the warning counterproductive? Was there an alternative?
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Your Money
Which is better - fixed or adjustable rate mortgage?
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For the Lawyers
Unconscionability is a question of law and an unconscionable provision may be severed from an arbitration agreement.
The Texas Supreme Court held that a provision in an arbitration clause waiving the Deceptive Trade Practices Act was unconscionable, but the clause was otherwise enforceable. The unconscionable provision could be severed from the arbitration clause.
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