Miscellaneous

• Retirees Should Be on Guard for Stock Broker Fraud

  Jack Landskroner | February 25, 2007 10:06 AM | 1 CommentCleveland, OH

  The majority of Americans who invest in the markets do so by means of their retirement and pension plans; that is, 401K and defined benefit plans put into place by generous employers for the benefit of their employees. When employees retire and move on they often are faced with decisions about what to do with their money. This is a time when an investor must be on guard for stock broker fraud...

• Airline Passengers Have Rights

  Justin Madden | February 15, 2007 5:35 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  When airlines keep passengers cooped up in a jet on a tarmac for an unreasonable period of time, or mistreat a passenger, or fail to takes steps to prevent injury to a passenger, the passenger may have a claim against the airlines. The competitive climate in the airline industry sometimes results in poor to abusive treatment of passengers and these passengers, as consumers, should not hesistate...

• First Louisiana Trial on Katrina Damages

  Rebecca Castell | February 13, 2007 6:00 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  The first trial on Hurricane Katrina damages started in Louisiana on Monday. The case, involving the Tomlinson's and their property insurer, Allstate, is to determine whether Allstate conducted itself in bad faith while adjusting the Tomlinson's claims for hurricane related damage to their home. The Tomlinson's accuse Allstate of holding up the adjusting process by wating 3 months to begin...

• What Is A Tort?

  Paul Grieco | February 09, 2007 5:02 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Many times when someone is injured, through no fault of their own, the question arises can a negligence claim or tort case be brought in order to compensate the person for his or her injuries? What does it mean to bring a tort case or negligence case?Negligence law and tort law are really the same thing. Our civil justice system, rightfully so, allows an injured party to be fully and fairly...

• Prevent Frostbite in the Bitter Cold

  Rebecca Castell | February 05, 2007 4:15 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Broadcasters are announcing that today, February 5, is the coldest day of the year. It doesn't take more than a minute outdoors to see what they are talking about. Most of the local schools are closed in an effort to keep kids out of the bitter tempretures. Adults still have to make our way to the store, to the office, or some other urgent errand. How can you prevent frostbite and...

• Property Taxes Gone Up? Challenge the Assessment!

  Rebecca Castell | January 31, 2007 1:28 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Recent property tax assessments have left many in shock. The housing boom in 2005 led to a dramatic increase in home purchase prices causing many assessments to go up. Though a homeowner may be thrilled to see the value of his or her go up, no one wants to see the taxes go up. The fact is that because the housing market of recent years was so over-inflated. the assessed value from the auditor...

• Urge to Smoke Linked to Specific Area of the Brain

  Rebecca Castell | January 26, 2007 10:36 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  A study recently released in the journal "Science" has linked the craving for nicotine which makes it so hard to quit smoking with a specific area of the brain.Scientists studying stroke patients are reporting today that an injury to a specific part of the brain, near the ear, can instantly and permanently break a smoking habit. People with the injury who stopped smoking found that their bodies,...

• New Standards for Birth Control Pills may be Necessary

  Rebecca Castell | January 23, 2007 10:32 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Today, the Associate Press released an article questioning the effectiveness of the new low dose birth control. The recent switch to lower dose birth control pills is leading to an increase in unwanted pregnancies. When the pill first came out in the 1960's, it contained very high doses of hormones to prevent pregnancy. While the efficacy was good, less than one pregnancy for every 100 women...

• Changing Attitudes About Credit to Protect Consumers

  Rebecca Castell | January 21, 2007 10:56 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  A group of consumer advocates gathered in Cleveland last fall to discuss ways to protect consumers from falling into the common pitfalls lenders have created. This group spawned a new consumer watchdog group called Americans For Fairness in Lending (AFFIL). The group hopes to raise consumer awareness of lender practices including ever growing interest rates toping out in excess of 350%. AFFIL...

• Professional MIsconduct Should Not Leave You Hanging

  Justin Madden | January 10, 2007 8:59 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Consumers who lose money because of another professional's misconduct should not hesistate to retain an attorney and pursue a recovery of their money. Consumer claims may be brought against stockbrokers who negligently lose their client's money in trades which were inappropriate or unauthorized. Consumer claims may be brought against an accountant or CPA for poor financial planning advice or...