The Rule of Wealth: They've privatized what was your justice system

[John Gear]

John Gear Law Office, LLC

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Pretty standard for 2014 America:  court enforces forced arbitration clause in employment setting where:

*         The plaintiff was in desperate financial straits and would be fired if he did not sign the clause;

*         The plaintiff has limited education;

*         The clause shortens the statute of limitations;

*         Under the language of the clause, the plaintiff may not receive punitive damages; and

*         Under the language of the clause, the plaintiff has to pay half of the costs of arbitration.

The Court DID re-write the clause for the employer to make it enforceable, striking the ban on punitive damages and the imposition of half the costs on the plaintiff.

Paul Bland
Executive Director, Public Justice
On Twitter!  @FPBland

http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/opinions/14D0503P.pdf