Consumers interact with businesses and service providers daily, relying on their products and services to meet their needs. Such transactions are not always seamless, and issues such as faulty products, deceptive advertising, or unfair business practices can occur. The experienced commercial litigation attorneys at Levy Goldenberg LLP have prosecuted and defended complex consumer protection cases in the New York City area.
Understanding Consumer Protection
Consumer protection laws in New York are designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and honesty in consumer transactions. These laws cover various aspects of consumer interactions, including:
>> Truth in advertising
>> Product safety
>> Consumer contracts
>> Price gouging
>> Debt Collection Practices
>> Lemon law
Truth in Advertising
Truth in advertising is a vital component of consumer protection law, aiming to protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices. Businesses must provide accurate and truthful information in their advertisements, avoiding false claims or deceptive practices that may mislead consumers. Failure to provide truthful advertising may lead to legal action being taken on the consumer’s behalf.
Product Safety
Product safety is a critical aspect of consumer protection, ensuring that the products that consumers purchase and use are safe and free from unreasonable risks. Consumer protection laws in New York require businesses to ensure that their products are safe for use and meet relevant safety standards. If you are harmed by consuming a product, you may be entitled to recover from the manufacturer.
Consumer Contracts
Consumer contracts play a crucial role in governing the relationship between consumers and businesses when purchasing goods or services. Contracts between businesses and consumers must be clear, understandable, and free of unfair terms that may disadvantage the consumer.
Price Gouging
Price gouging is a practice where sellers unreasonably raise the prices of essential goods and services during times of crisis or emergency. This practice is strictly prohibited. This exploitative behavior takes advantage of consumers’ urgent needs and can lead to significant financial burden and hardship.
Debt Collection Practices
Debt collection practices and consumer protection are closely linked, as consumer protection laws are designed to regulate and oversee the actions of debt collectors to ensure fair and ethical treatment of consumers who owe debts. Debt collection can be a stressful and challenging process for consumers, and improper or abusive practices can lead to significant harm. Debt collectors must adhere to specific guidelines and cannot engage in abusive or harassing practices when attempting to collect debts.
Lemon Law
Lemon laws are consumer protection laws that provide remedies to consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles, often referred to as “lemons.” These laws are designed to safeguard the rights of consumers when they face recurring problems with their newly purchased or leased vehicles that substantially impair their use, value, or safety. Lemon laws vary from state to state, but they generally offer consumers options such as refunds, vehicle replacements, or cash settlements when they encounter persistent defects in their vehicles. The New York Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles, ensuring that they receive proper remedies from manufacturers.
How Our Consumer Protection Attorneys Can Help
Our attorneys can play a crucial role in helping clients navigate the complexities of consumer protection laws and ensuring their rights are upheld when facing issue with products, services, or unfair business practices. Our attorneys can engage in:
>> Contract Review
>> Dispute Resolution
>> Filing Complaints
>> Class Action Lawsuits
>> Enforcement Actions
>> Compliance and Regulation
>> Privacy and Data Protection
Levy Goldenberg LLP, New York’s leading commercial litigation firm, has an impressive track record representing businesses and individuals in consumer protection. Commercial litigation involves complex factual and legal issues, and an unfavorable outcome can jeopardize your business. The best way to protect your interests is to have the informed representation Levy Goldenberg provides. Contact our Manhattan office today to get started with a seasoned commercial litigation attorney.