Sometimes as a consumer, we experience problems with a product that lead us to sue the manufacturer for providing a recalled or defective product. But are we being tricked into settling without even knowing we are doing just that?
The New York Times recently reported that General Mills had quietly updated their privacy policy on their website alerting consumers that they automatically relinquish the right to sue the company if they download coupons, joined online communities like Facebook or Twitter, entered company-sponsored sweepstakes or interacted with the company in similar ways. If you happen to fall ill after consuming a recalled or contaminated product produced by General Mills, you are automatically required to arbitrate your claim because you “liked” them on Facebook or followed them on Twitter!
Unfortunately, this policy change is a fast growing trend. As reported by the New York Times, the number of companies that have implemented these type of policies have dramatically increased since the 2011 United States Supreme Court decision, AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, that allowed business to prevented consumers claiming fraud from joining together in a single arbitration.
Following a social media outrage, General Mills “had announced a stunning about-face that it was withdrawing its controversial plans to make consumers give up their right to sue it.”
Always read the fine print and never sign a document without reading through it so you know if you are giving up your right to sue in court and agree to arbitrate!
Call us today for a free legal consultation.
Arbitration: The process by which the parties to a dispute submit their differences to the judgment of an impartial person or group appointed by mutual consent or statutory provision.