The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "consumer lawsuits" ...
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Forgive Us Our Debts
Increasing abuse by debt collectors not only violates federal law, but is indicative of a growing $60 billion market for reselling debt. The massive market resembles the unstable mortgage-security market, and collapse could put the economy on the brink again. Additionally, tactics used by debt collectors are abusive and often unfounded on any hard evidence of consumer debt. The debt resale market is plagued with problems that surface in this investigation.
Tags: collection; collectors; debtors; debt; consumers; practices; tactics; abuse; reselling; market; economy; debt; victims; lawsuits;
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Debtors' Hell
Examining a "system stacked in favor of collectors," the Globe discusses the side effects of the increase in consumer debt in Massachusetts and the nation. Among the findings is that "the legal system has been overwhelmed by collectors pursuing debtors through all manner of hard-edged tactics."
Tags: Debt; debt collection; consumer debt; unlicensed collectors; debt lawsuits
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Regulation of Contractors A Blueprint for Problems: Despite long history of complaints, lawsuits, Hollywood company, entrepreneur unfazed
Reporter Mc Nelly Torres investigates South Florida business owner John Pluto and the problems with a system that allows an entrepeneur to open a new business even though his past companies have been plagued with problems. Current laws offer little protection for the consumer and even when consumers investigate a company's background, it's difficult for them to know who is behind the business.
Tags: construction; state law; business; consumer watchdog; consumer
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Defective Fridges
This story exposed widespread defects in GE refrigerators. Months after the story aired, GE settled consumer lawsuits filed by owners of the defective appliances.
Tags: product liability; refrigerators; General Electric; GE; consumer lawsuits; product defect
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Transporting Lawsuits Across State Lines: Attorneys General Are Joining Forces In a Consumer Litigation Battle Plan
In June, 1997 the attorneys general of 40 states reached a proposed $368.5 billion settlement with the nation's tobacco makers. The settlement was supposed to allow the states to recoup a fortune in Medicaid payments spent on behalf of smokers. Critics say states too often let big victories get away by settling for too little. Other critics say states are creating too many hurdles in the way of doing business. States are working together to pool their resources. As a result, some corporations must face lawsuits raised by multiple states, instead of just one.
Tags: Tobacco; Lawsuits; Attorneys General; Consumer Litigation; Washington; Medicaid; Consumer Protection
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Profoting From Fine Print With Wall Street's Help
The Times reports on questionable approaches used by First Alliance, a national home-equity lender. The story looks at the complaints of hundreds of consumers that the "company has used a deceptive sales pitch, delivered by loan officers recruited from big auto dealerships, to lure homeowners into high-cost loans that expose them to the threat of foreclosure and financial ruin."
Tags: finances; mortgages; consumers affairs; lawsuits; investment banks; homeownership; fraud
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Firestone
CBS News reports on "new dimensions of the Firestone Tire/Ford fiasco, as the first lawsuits were heard in court and new allegations involving other Firestone tires surfaced." The series exposes legal tricks Firestone used to delay trials and frustrate victims, and sheds light on some recently discovered problems with Firestone rescue vehicle tires. The major finding is that there is a pattern of cover-ups in regard to the tire blowouts both in Firestone and Ford. The investigative team has conducted off-the-record interviews with Firestone employees who confirm information on continuing flaws in production.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; consumer affairs; defective tires; road accidents; whistleblowers; SUVs; deaths; drivers; Ford Bronco; courts; lawyers; cars
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It' No Accident: How Corporations Sell Dangerous Baby Products
Felcher reveals case after case of babies and toddlers being injured or killed by cribs, cradles, carriers, car seats, strollers and other products supposedly designed to be safe. The author, a former marketing lecturer, examines the hideous tricks that big businesses use to hide from the public the risks that their products pose to children. The book depicts how the lack of enough regulatory power over baby products has given faulty companies the leeway to settle wrongful death lawsuits outside courts and to push grieving parents to accept gag orders.
Tags: BOOK; FOIA; safety; children; Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association; lawyers; litigation; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Consumer Product Safety Act; recalls; advertising; Graco; Hasbro; Century Products
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Patients don't get full story on doctors
San Francisco Chronicle reports on the lack of information about malpractice verdicts on the website of the Medical Board of California. The story reveals that the public database omits records on doctors' misdemeanors, remedial actions (like drug and alcohol treatment programs), malpractice settlements, various lawsuits, complaints, detailed information on formal discipline, etc. Consumers are required to write the Medical Board for detailed information, and often wait for weeks to get a response. Wallack points to three high-dollar verdicts against negligent doctors, which were not included in the state board's database.
Tags: San Diego's Center for Public Interest Law; physicians; licensing; incompetence; negligence
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Outbreak
The Washington Post Magazine investigates the failure of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prevent 21 deaths caused by contaminated meat from Sara Lee Corp. The story reveals that the contamination occurred because of moisture problems in the cooling section of "the giant Bil Mar Foods meatpacking plant in western Michigan." While deaths were tolling, the USDA was leery to issue a press release for fear not to face the legal implications of wrongly accusing the meatproducer. Even though Bil Mar quietly recalled the deadly products from the market, people were still eating meat kept in refrigerators or supermarkets and contaminated with the dangerous Listeria bacteria, the magazine reports. A major finding is that government lacks regulatory power to recall unsafe foods, as well as penalties system for repeated violations in the food industry.
Tags: health; FDA; meat; bacteria; contamination; Sara Lee; CDC; listeria; sanitation; immune system; pregnancy; hot dogs; deli meats; consumers; lawsuits