| Volume 141 Number 84 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
The law limits how long you may be sued for a debt. In Texas most debts have a four-year limitation period. If you are sued after that time, you have a defense based on what the law calls the "Statute of Limitations." Click here for more.
Amid government shutdown, Kia and Hyundai issue recall on cars that may randomly catch fire
For months, the consumer advocacy group the Center for Auto Safety has petitioned Kia and Hyundai to recall a total of 2.9 million cars that it says are at risk of catching fire while on the road. Instead, the brands on Wednesday announced that they would recall 168,000 cars over concerns that an engine problem may cause non-collision fires. The recall is taking place while the partial government shutdown is underway, meaning that most officials working for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) aren’t working and are unable to oversee the recall. Click here for more.
Your Money
You've found your dream home and made an offer. Now comes the hard part: getting a home loan to finalize the purchase. Applying for a mortgage means putting your finances, including your credit score, in the spotlight. A bad credit score could add an extra wrinkle or two to the mortgage approval process. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Independent trucker is with the exception of §1 of the Federal Arbitration Act that excepts from coverage disputes involving “contracts of employment” of certain transportation workers. The United States Supreme Court first held that a court, not the arbitrator, should determine whether a §1 exclusion applies before ordering arbitration. The Court then recognized that the exclusion’s use of the term “contract of employment” refers to any agreement to perform work. It held that the exclusion does not apply to only employees, and that the trucker’s agreement to work as an “independent contractor” for the trucking company clearly falls within §1’s exception. New Prime v. Oliveira, US Sup Ct. Click here for more.