Investigations

Spreter | Petiprin is always looking at new cases. If you would like to report a potential case, discuss a potential ongoing legal matter, or notify us of unfair and unlawful business practices, we would like to hear from you.

The firm is currently investigating the following matters:

2017 Northern California Wildfires:

The Wine Country Fires started on Sunday, October 8, 2017. The Tubbs, Pocket, Atlas, Nuns, Norbbom, Pressley, and Partrick fires ravaged such communities as Napa, Sonoma, and Calistoga. According to multiple news outlets, as early as 9:22 pm, 911-dispatchers received reports of Pacific Gas and Electric’s “sparking wires” and malfunctioning of PG&E’s electrical systems. Fire crews were dispatched to at least ten locations, in response to these reports. Additional reports indicate that wind caused tree branches to strike powerlines owned and operated by PG&E. To avoid appearing responsible for the fires, PG&E declared that the winds were “hurricane-strength winds in excess of 75 MPH, in some cases.” Meteorologists, however, quickly refuted PG&E’s assertions.

Since substantial evidence points to PG&E’s improperly maintained powerlines as the source of the fires, the California Public Utilities Commission ordered PG&E to preserve evidence relating to the fires’ cause. The CPUC and Cal-Fire are actively investigating the cause of the fires, and will release an official report, pending the completion of their investigation. Various parties, including, insurance companies, law firms, and other state/governmental agencies, are also independently investigating the fires.

Spreter | Petiprin has formed a joint venture with two other law firms called “Wine Country Fire Advocates.” We are investigating the cause of the wildfires, speaking with, and assisting members of the Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga communites rebuild and recover. Please feel free to visit us at www.winefireadvocate.com.

Unwanted Text Messages and Robo-Calls:

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act was enacted in 1991 (TCPA) to protect consumers from telemarketers and other types of solicitors who do not have permission to contact them. Violations of the act, include, but are not limited to:Placing robo-calls (using an automated dialing machine, or pre-recorded message).

  • Placing robo-calls (using an automated dialing machine, or pre-recorded message)
  • Sending unsolicited text messages.
  • Sending advertising or telemarketing text messages without the express written consent of the phone call recipient.
  • Not providing an option to opt out of the calls/texts.

If you are receiving these texts and calls, you may be able to collect between $500 and $1,500 per violation by filing a TCPA claim. We are currently investigating several companies for violations of the TCPA statute, and would like to hear from you.

Automatic Renewal Sales:

California law prohibits automatic renewal programs and contracts that fail to meet certain disclosure requirements. Companies are required to disclose at the time of sale in “clear and conspicuous” language (larger type than the surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same size, or set off from the surrounding text of the same size by symbols or other marks, in a manner that clearly calls attention to the language) that the sale or contract will include an automatic renewal. Many companies are failing to disclose the existence of these programs, or not properly disclosing to the consumers in a lawful manner that they will be placed in these programs.

If you or someone you know has been placed in one of these programs, please feel free to contact us below and speak with one of our attorneys.

As Seen On TV Products:

“As Seen On TV” is a generic tradename for products that are advertised on television, usually using a toll-free number. The commercial for the product is usually a quick 2 to 3 minute soundbite with claims being made about the product that it is “revolutionary, new and improved, or offered for a limited time.” During the late 1990’s several marketing companies were able to get large retail chains, such as Wal-Mart, Target, and CVS to carry these products. The entrance of these products into traditional retail stores allowed the “As Seen On TV” logo and brand to gain an aura of perceived legitimacy. While many of these products work fine and perform as advertised, there are still certain manufactures that rely on untrue, or false and misleading advertisements to sell their products. With the rise of internet commerce, many companies are using websites to advertise these products, and are often shutting their websites down after problems with products arise, or consumers start to voice their complaints. This leaves the consumer with little recourse and ability to obtain a refund.

If you have purchased an “As Seen on TV” product that did not perform as advertised, please feel free to speak with one our experienced consumer fraud attorneys. We have extensive experience in prosecuting cases against manufacturers of these products.