Consumer litigation focuses on the rights of individual consumers and may involve claims relating to unfair and deceptive trade practices, credit cards, privacy issues, insurance coverage, lemon laws, car fraud, car warranty, fair debt collection practices, vehicle repossession, truth in lending, and other disputes under state and federal consumer protection laws. The protections for the consumer stem from both common law and statutory schemes. This unfolding area of the law has evolved in response to the unfortunate way many large corporations have decided to treat their customers. Consumers often need competent legal counsel to stand up to abuse by massive companies concerned only with making a profit.

Sometimes insurance companies are part of the problem. An insurance company may be acting in bad faith when it refuses to pay a claim it is contractually obligated to pay. For injured victims who are relying on payments from the insurance company, there can be major problems when these companies refuse to pay valid claims since victims need to cover their medical expenses and be compensated for lost income. If you are getting the run-around from an insurance company on wrongful death, injury and/or life insurance claim, give us a call. We can help.

We can also help you deal with harassment by creditors and debt collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from using unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices in their attempts to collect money from you. The FDCPA applies to anyone who regularly collects debts, including collection agencies and collection lawyers. When you hire an attorney to represent you, the debt collector is required to deal directly with the attorney, relieving you of the hassle and headaches associated with taking the debt collector’s calls. You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. Virginia courts will often award reimbursement of attorneys’ fees in such cases.

While BerlikLaw is always prepared to take a case to trial, our first priority is to pursue our clients’ objectives. In many cases our strategies have led to negotiated settlements that are cost effective and consistent with our client’s goals, eliminating the need for litigation altogether.