|
Consumer protection is a form of government
regulation designed to
protect the customer from unfair, deceptive or
fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Examples of
consumer protection regulations include the National Do
Not Call Registry, the right to a free credit card
report, labels on medicine and home products, and
stickers on appliances that show energy usage. Several
branches of the United States government have been set
up with customer protection in mind. One such branch is
the Federal Trade Commission, which focuses on
advertising practices, consumer and business education,
financial practices, marketing practices, planning and
information, and privacy and identity protection.
Another branch is the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), which monitors product safety and protects the
public from unreasonable risks, particularly those that
could prove to be fatal.
A great example of consumer protection is the lemon law.
Even though the law varies from state to state, the
basic principle is the same. If a consumer buys a new
car that does not conform to the warranties and reports
that nonconformance within the allotted time span, the
manufacturer or dealer is required by law to repair or
replace the automobile at no cost to the consumer. The
lemon law helps to protect customers who might otherwise
be stuck with a broken automobile or a very expensive
repair bill.
Consumer protection isn’t just about preventative
measures; it also deals with situations that involve
services rendered or promised. Examples include an
insurance company denying payment on a valid claim, a
construction company failing to finish a job correctly,
a company failing to follow privacy acts, or a
manufacturer or distributor declining to repair a
product when a repair is due. All of these examples are
violations of consumer protection laws, and legal action
may be needed to correct these situations. Since every
situation is unique, only an experienced lawyer who
understands the intricacies of consumer laws can help
you win your case. The Kansas City, Missouri based
attorneys of Peterson & Associates have experience and
expertise and will gladly work by your side.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a
violation of consumer laws, Peterson & Associates can
help you. Please contact one of our attorneys
immediately for a free consultation at 816-LAW-FIRM or
click here to fill out an
online form.
|
