CONSUMER GROUPS RIP MANDATORY ARBITRATION RULING

Would you give away your right to sue a company in court simply to get a product or service you want?

Chances are you’ve already agreed to arbitrate any dispute rather than sue — whether you realize it or not — if you have a credit card, bank account or cell phone. Many medical facilities now require patients to agree to arbitration.

Last week, in a decision that received surprisingly little news coverage, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the latest in a series of rulings that allow companies to put mandatory arbitration clauses in their contracts.

Consumer advocates are deeply disappointed in the high court.

“It’s just another example of the Supreme Court ruling in favor of corporations and against consumers,” says Ira Rheingold, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Consumer groups rip mandatory arbitration ruling by By Herb Weisbaum, The ConsumerMan.