Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Consumer Class Action Lawsuits

According to Reuters, last week the Supreme Court gave consumer advocates a victory by allowing them to proceed with class action lawsuits alleging that millions of front-loading washing machines they bought suffered from mold or musty odors.

The decision was important because it allows consumers to move forward with litigation—previously courts were backing down on the ability of plaintiffs to pursue class actions in cases against AT&T Comcast Corp and Wal-Mart, which can lead to bigger jury awards and settlements than individual lawsuits.

The Supreme Court decision allows claims against Whirlpool Corp, Sears Holdings Corp and a unit of Germany’s BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH to move forward as class actions in lower courts.

The case the court took up involved alleged product defects. According to Reuters, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago were allowing consumers to pursue respective claims as groups against Whirlpool in Ohio and Sears in six U.S. states.

Business lobbying organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers were urging the Supreme Court to hear appeals.

We appreciate that common sense won out in this decision. When a company sells a product or service that is misrepresented through advertising and marketing efforts, it should be held liable.

Who Do I Contact About a Class Action Lawsuit?

If you have questions concerning your legal rights or interests when it comes to class action litigation, please contact Gary S. Graifman, Esq. at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., at 1-(866) 971-0927 or fill out the contact form on our website.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. – Class Action Lawyers

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-usa-court-washers-idUSBREA1N12O20140224