Posted on Apr 02, 2024
Think before signing off on big purchases

Did you sign away some constitutional rights when you bought a new car, major appliance or even a service? Binding arbitration clauses are very common, but you may want to preserve your rights and access to courts.

Frequently. when you purchase a car, appliance, or service, you are confronted with a binding arbitration agreement as part of the transaction. Electronically, it often takes the form of a “box” to be checked to complete the transaction.

The agreement is often embedded in contracts between parties and mandates that disputes be resolved through arbitration rather than litigation in court.

While some argue that these forced arbitrations may “streamline” proceedings, they raise serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and elimination of constitutional rights.

If your major purchase does not perform as it should, you should preserve your right to take the seller to court. You should not have to rely on forced arbitration when, in many cases, you are immediately at a disadvantage.

Frequently, with a major transaction, you may wish to cross out the section of the contract calling for binding arbitration to resolve disputes. Alternatively, you could simply write “do not agree” in that space of the contract, signing in the margin.

Keep in mind that the salesperson wants your business and is not concerned with potential future dispute resolution. The salesperson will not/ should not allow the deal to fail because you object to the forced arbitration clause.

Connecticut regularly grapples with the intricate legal terminology of forced arbitration agreements. Connecticut recognizes the validity of these agreements when entered voluntarily, where both parties fully understand the terms and consequences of waiving the right to a trial. However, that assumes the buyer actually read and understood the terms.

To create a contract, each party must have an identical understanding of the terms. However, there is a general rule that when a person of mature years accepts a written contract, the person has a duty to read it, and the contents will be imputed to him. There is an exception, however, when something has been done to mislead the individual.

Access to the courts is guaranteed in the Seventh Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a court trial in federal civil cases. Connecticut’s constitution provides for the same in state court matters.

Arbitrations eliminate access to courts, lack transparency, eliminate the potential for appeals and class actions and may result in bias from mandated arbitrators. These contracts are generally considered contracts of adhesion, with unequal power and bargaining dynamics.

The time may have come to eliminate forced arbitration. Until that time, rather than allow the vendor to control the process, forum and terms of dispute resolution, you may conclude it is best to cross it out that clause and preserve your access to the courts.

When we make a purchase, we all hope it will work out as assumed. They don’t always, of course. It’s probably a good idea to preserve your rights.

Attorney John F. Buckley Jr. is a partner at the New Haven-based firm of Buckley Wynne & Parese. He handles personal injury cases of all types as well as a variety of other legal issues. He can be reached at 203-776-2278 or [email protected].


This article was featured in the following news publications:

Recent Case Results

    $9,000,000

    Serious Injury Settlement

    $7,500,000

    Racketeering and Fraud Judgment

    $6,400,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $4,600,000

    Wrongful Death Settlement

    $1,100,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $800,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $2,100,000

    Premise Liability Settlement

    $1,800,000

    Liquor Liability Judgment

    $1,500,000

    Police Liability Settlement

    $498,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $475,000

    Motor Vehicle Arbitration Award

    $350,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $950,000

    Legal Malpractice Settlement

    $4,850,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $250,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

    $650,000

    Wrongful Death Settlement

    $600,000

    Medical Malpractice Verdict

    $600,000

    Sexual Abuse Settlement

    $8,500,000

    Serious Injury Settlement

    $500,000

    Product Liability Settlement

    $385,000

    Product Liability Settlement

    $300,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $275,000

    Serious Injury Verdict

    $1,000,000

    Motor Vehicle Settlement

Client Reviews of Our Personal Injury Attorneys

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Friendly, professional and VERY responsive!

    Attorney John Buckley was highly recommended to me by quite a few people and upon my first meeting to discuss my case, I knew immediately that I was in good hands. He took his time to explain everything to me in great detail and stayed in communication throughout my entire case. His staff was also extremely friendly, professional and VERY responsive! I actually never had to reach out about my case because they over-communicated with me from beginning to end. My accident was very unfortunate, but I’m extremely grateful I was working with Attorney Buckley through it all! I highly recommend this law firm!!!

    - Jamie B.

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Respectful, extremely knowledgeable, & understanding

    Recently engaged BWP concerning a motor vehicle accident. From the initial consult, and continuing throughout the entire process, John Parese and the entire staff were respectful, extremely knowledgeable, understanding of my goals and supportive to work towards achieving the best possible outcome. It was a very seamless, friendly relationship and a firm that I would highly recommend to anyone.

    - Robert T.

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    Couldn’t have been happier with the services I received!

    I contacted BWP in June 2019, after I was hit by a drunk driver. John Wynne was my attorney. I couldn’t have been happier with the services I received. Everyone I dealt with was very professional and made sure I had all the help I needed. I highly recommend this law firm.

    - Valerie

    Quick and consistent.

    Quick and consistent.

    John Buckley was quick and consistent in relaying information to me regarding litigation, and he and his staff were always very supportive of any requests I made. John’s experience and strategic expertise made the difference in dealing with the insurance company, and we achieved the best possible outcome thanks to his vigilance. Cannot recommend BWP highly enough!

    - Richard

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    Thorough, caring, and patient.

    I don't have the words to describe how wonderful John Parese was to work with. He took my family and I under his wing during a difficult time. He was by our side for 3 years while I was treated. He was thorough, caring, and patient. He was always there to answer questions and made us feel that he was in our corner. John explained our options and walked us through the process many times. It was WAY outside of my comfort zone to go to litigation, but he believed in me and my case. He was phenomenal in court and I was very proud to be part of his team. We are forever thankful and would recommend him to anyone!

    - The Yanellis

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    Kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

    John Parese is an excellent attorney who provided care that was needed at an extremely difficult and a long period of time. He and his team are very dedicated and gave professional guidance in various aspects. I am very grateful for having received a degree of release for the painful accident, and trauma which was unfortunate and terrifying. Mr. Parese is very kind, patient, honest and extremely knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend his help to people in need.

    - Xueping Q.

    Two thumbs up!

    Two thumbs up!

    John Parese is an amazing attorney! He constantly checked in with me to make sure I was feeling better after my accident and gave me updates on where we were in the process. I never doubted that I was in good hands. Thank you John and also to your team! Two thumbs up!

    - Kristen R.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff.

    Wonderful staff. They gave the impression that they really care for their clients. I will call on them again if I need in the future.

    - Kelly B.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    Excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients.

    John has assisted me with several issues. He is an excellent attorney who always fights to protect his clients. I was able to recover medically knowing John was fully handling the insurance and issues with my case. I will continue to use him in the future.

    - Danielle Q.

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Very professional and his team is wonderful!

    Attorney Parese helped me with my car accident. He is very professional and his team is wonderful. I highly recommend his services for car accidents!!! Thank you John.

    - Walter P.