Miscellaneous

• Strickland Defends Ohio Consumers

  Justin Madden | January 08, 2007 5:57 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Ohio consumers received their first victory in Ohio government as incoming Governor Ted Strickland vetoed the pro-business legislation that all but eliminated various protections of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.Governor Stickland vetoed Amended Substitute Senate Bill117, a last minute act of pro-business legislation that would have greatly weakened current protections afforded to...

• Consumer Rights Obliterated as SB 117 Goes In Effect

  Rebecca Castell | January 05, 2007 12:46 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  As Bob Taft closes in on his last hours in the Governor's office, Ohio takes one more step in snuffing out consumer's rights. SB 117, a bill which prevents cities from lead-paint manufactures under public nuisance laws also limits the amount of damages that a consumer can receive if he or she has been defrauded by a company. Under this new law, consumers will be limited to $5,000 limits for...

• Ohio Voters Need to Scrutinize Their Legislature

  Justin Madden | January 03, 2007 3:44 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Ohio citizens need to diligently follow the actions or inactions of their elected officials. If the end of 2006 is any indication, the current Republican - controlled Legislature in Ohio will gleefully sacrifice the rights of Ohio citizens in favor of any pro-business legislation.This Republican band has no regard for the Ohio Supreme Court decisions nor the ideals of newly elected Governor Ted...

• Insurance Industry Continues to Profit

  Paul Grieco | January 02, 2007 11:41 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  While millions of individuals and small businesses continue to struggle to try and make ends meet, corporate america continues to profit. One such industry that realized large profits in 2006 was the insurance industry. Many insurance companies regularly deny coverage to those that are forced to pay large premiums. The insured is left to wonder why they have been paying premiums, while the...

• More contamination at popular restaurants

  Rebecca Castell | December 19, 2006 11:00 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  A norovirus may have caused more than 300 people to get sick after eating in an Indianapolis, Indiana, OliveGarden restaurant. Norovirus, which causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, was found in 3 employees and a patron who were tested after becoming ill.The health department was still working to pinpoint the source of the illnesses, said John Althardt, a spokesman for the Marion...

• Consumer Protection Statute Gutted by Lame Duck Legislature

  Jack Landskroner | December 18, 2006 10:48 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  What consumer hasn't felt as if they've been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous actor in a consumer transaction? Who hasn't noticed an unauthorized charge on a credit card bill? Who doesn't know someone who has been the victim of a bait and switch on a product purchased online or been charged for services not performed by a vendor? Virtually every consumer in the state of Ohio, whether...

• Insurers may be forced to provide coverage for mental illness

  Rebecca Castell | December 15, 2006 4:03 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  In one of the few pro-consumer bills set forth by Ohio's senate, it appears that Ohio insurance policies may now be required to provide coverage for mental illnesses. The bill was signed by the senate last week and is up for Gov. Taft's signature. It will require any insurance company that provides coverage for basic health care to provide coverage for mental treatment. Coverage will have to...

• Ohio Legislature Rubber Stamps Big Business Demands

  Justin Madden | December 15, 2006 12:30 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  Big business owns the Republican-majority Ohio Legislature. Yesterday, the obedient minions rubber-stamped the demands of big business to virtually eliminate the rights of consumers under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practice Act. They sold out consumers by placing ridiculously low caps on damages and eliminated rights that Ohio consumers had, indeed rights that were recently recognized by the Ohio...

• When Consumers Get Justice, Lobbyists Push for Injustice

  Justin Madden | December 13, 2006 2:51 PM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  The Ohio Supreme Court recently made a wise and courageous decision regarding damages available under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. Recognizing the emotional toll that a defective product can cause a consumer, the Court ruled that in certain cases, consumers who win under the CSPA can also recover damages for emotional distress and so forth.The Supreme Court's decision was a fair and...

• Will Cleveland ban trans-fats too?

  Rebecca Castell | December 13, 2006 10:45 AM | 0 CommentsCleveland, OH

  After all of the recent hype surrounding New York City's ban of trans-fats, it looks as though Cleveland may follow in the health movement's footsteps. On Monday, Cleveland City Council unanimously passed a resolution encouraging a ban on the artery clogging substance.Trans fats are derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, a chemically altered substance used in cookies, pie crusts,...