Unpaid internships…not a fashion trend

Young college students often break into the professional working world by participating in internships with companies that will provide them with enriching experiences. Depending on the industry, a lot of the internships are unpaid, however, the internships typically focus on educational and vocational advancement for the students. The purpose of the internships is to leave the students feeling confident that they have made first steps into the industry or career of their choice. Read more

Power to the consumer

Starion Energy, a Connecticut-based energy provider, is being accused of astronomically inflating consumers’ variable rate electric prices. Plaintiff Lydia Gruber filed a lawsuit against defendants Starion Energy Inc., Starion Energy NY Inc., and Starion Energy PA Inc. in January 2017 alleging that the companies falsely claimed that their electricity rates would reflect current market prices of electricity derived from all market sources. The defendants deny the allegations, but have agreed to settle the lawsuit out of court. Customers of Starion’s variable rate plan may be eligible for a cash payment. Read more

Anything but a smooth ride for Ford.

Michigan-based Ford Motor Company has been the subject of scrutiny and remains the popular defendant in more than a hundred lawsuits concerning the safety of the 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta and 2012-2016 Ford Focus. For the past six years, Fiesta and Focus owners grew concerned with consistent instances of jerking car movements and grinding noises. Some even lost power and control of their vehicles. Drivers lose peace of mind if the vehicle they paid a good portion of their savings toward, falters and proves unreliable. Read more

Basketball star’s slam dunk

The country-inspired restaurant and gift shop, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, famous for its Southern dishes, is now best known for its recently settled class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in 2014 by a US Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team player, and focuses on the negligent placement of Cracker Barrel’s designated handicapped parking spaces. Sarah Heinzl frequented the Robinson Township, PA location, but was obligated to bring a family member or friend for assistance. Due to the slope of the handicapped parking spaces, Heinzl required someone to hold her wheelchair to prevent it from rolling away. The lawsuit conveyed the message that, instead of restricting the mobility of those who are handicapped, businesses should help alleviate the burden. Read more

Gatehouse Media LLC customers turn a page.

A reluctance to disclose all terms of a contract or deal may be perceived as deceptive and unethical. By not outlining the specifics of the subscriptions to various publications, Massachusetts born Gatehouse Media LLC has violated the consumer rights of its subscribers. The customers’ expectations did not match what the company actually offered.  The plaintiffs of the class action lawsuit purchased either one-year or 26-week subscriptions, but also received magazines that did not pertain to the same genre or interests of the publications they purchased. Read more