Articles Posted in Texas Consumer Law

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RBGThe National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) has designated Bob Goss (pictured at right) as an NITA “Master Advocate.”  The Master Advocate award represents serious commitment to trial advocacy and requires completion of at least five intensive NITA trial-advocacy programs.

Why You Need a Trial Advocate

NTA c0b5719c-cd0a-4395-a93b-1b04c60f4d81As a landlord or a tenant, you want an advocate who understands your rights.  As a consumer in Texas, you want justice if you’ve been the subject of a deceptive trade practice.  No matter what your legal issue, you want an advocate who will represent you zealously.  You need an advocate who is both your counselor and your ally. Experience is important, of course.  But also look for indications that your trial advocate keeps up with the latest advances in the law, art, and science of trial advocacy.  Intensive training, such as that leading to NITA’s “Master Advocate” award, is one indicator that your advocate has the latest skills necessary to represent you when it matters most. Continue reading

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Kenmore_Washing_Machine_and_DryerThe time between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a great opportunity to assess stuff.  Particularly stuff that is cluttering your apartment or house.  If you are considering storing your belongings, you are in good company!  Self-storage facilities in the United States are so popular they have their own national association.  According to the Self Storage Association (SSA), this industry generated $27.2 billion in annual U.S. revenues, in 2014 alone.  SSA asserts that the self-storage industry has been the fastest-growing segment of the commercial real-estate industry over the last 40 years.

Texas, of course, has its own self-storage organization, the Texas Self Storage Association (TSSA). Some sources identify Houston and Austin as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the “Top 10” U.S. cities for self-storage, with San Antonio not far behind.

Continue reading

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RBGWe at the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. are delighted to announce that our principal and founder, Bob Goss, has been recognized by Avvo, the well-known attorney rating and review site, with Avvo’s “Clients’ Choice 2015.”

Avvo’s attorney rating system identifies rankings of 10.0 – 9.0 as “Superb.” Based on Avvo’s mathematical model, which includes input from hundreds of attorneys, thousands of consumers, and legal professionals who understand the work attorneys perform, Bob received a perfect Avvo “10.0” score.

This is the second year in a row that Bob (pictured at right) has been recognized by Avvo as a “Clients’ Choice” attorney. Continue reading

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17068-a-woman-and-older-man-sitting-at-a-table-pvThis may sound like the start of a bad joke because it is so difficult to receive any type of benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  However, Veterans and family members do receive collection letters from VA.  This VA debt-collection correspondence is issued by VA’s Debt Management Center, or DMC.

The DMC has recently become quite aggressive about identifying and collecting on debt – even if it’s not really debt.  DMC’s new “activism” is primarily a result of unfair atmospheric concerns that Veterans and their families are gaming VA’s benefits system to obtain an undeserved free ride.

I just received a letter which appears to be from VA’s Debt Management Center (DMC)?  What do I do? Continue reading

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RBGWe at the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. are delighted to announce that our principal and founder, Bob Goss, is being honored this month in the December 2015 edition of Houstonia Magazine as one of Houstonia’s “Top Lawyers of 2015.”

Houstonia Magainze partners with Avvo, the well-known attorney rating and review site, to identify lawyers who merit inclusion in the Houstonia “Top Lawyers” list.  Avvo uses a proprietary algorithm which factors in professionalism variables such as peer endorsement, attorney experience, education, training, public speaking, publishing, and awards.  Reader nominations and Houstonia Magazine’s own editorial review of nominee’s accomplishments are important additional considerations. Continue reading

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Homeless_Veteran_in_New_YorkWith the extremely long delay in obtaining benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), many Veterans face tremendous and crippling medical bills.  These bills impact ability to pay for necessities, including rent, utilities, transportation, and even food.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: VA BENEFITS ARE PROTECTED!

Threats and constant calls from creditors and even advice from attorneys not familiar with Veterans benefits matters may push Veterans to make unwise decisions regarding their VA benefits.  It’s very simple:  VA benefits are protected from creditors, taxation, and other legal processes.  No one is entitled to just take your benefits away to pay off debts. Continue reading

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Pinkscalade

How an Attorney Can Help You

With car repairs, how do you know if any law has been broken?  It’s not as difficult as one might think.  Auto repair is just another type of service.  Auto repair in Texas is subject to the Texas Business and Commerce Code, Title 2 (Competition and Trade Practices), Chapter 17 (Deceptive Trade Practices) also referred to as the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, or “DTPA.”  Among other things, under Section 17.46 (Deceptive Trade Practices Unlawful), it is unlawful to “knowingly make false or misleading statements of fact concerning the need for parts, replacement, or repair service.” Continue reading

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Tree TrimmerMany Texans think that home-improvement scams are a summer issue.  That’s when someone might show up at your door telling you they can fix your cracked driveway or your leaking gutters.  Sadly, scammers work 365 days of the year. And, while they especially like to victimize the elderly, anyone can fall prey to their unscrupulous actions.

What a Drive-By Scam Looks Like

A common scenario is the following.  A respectable looking construction guy knocks on your door.  He explains that he’s just completed a paving job in your neighborhood.  Since he has leftover materials and is here anyway, he’s offering you a one-time good deal on driveway repair.  It’s that or take a loss on the materials.  That’s why, he says, he’s able to offer you such a great rate.  The guy’s story makes sense: you’d probably do the same yourself in his situation.  Plus, you are excited at getting a good deal on a repair you know has to be made sometime.  You say, “Go for it!” Continue reading

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Clinicians_in_Intensive_Care_UnitYou are not a medical professional.  But, you’re a smart person with at least average ability to understand instructions and information.  Guess what?  If you blindly sign all those forms they give you at the doctor’s office, your intelligence will be used to pin all the risks from any medical procedure on you.  This article explain how patients are duped with administrative forms and what you can do to avoid being a victim. Continue reading

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Self_storage_unitsSelf-storage facilities are so popular they have their own national association.  According to the Self Storage Association (SSA), this industry generated $27.2 billion in annual U.S. revenues, in 2014 alone!  SSA asserts that the self-storage industry has been the fastest-growing segment of the commercial real-estate industry over the last 40 years.

Texas, of course, has its own self-storage organization, the Texas Self Storage Association (TSSA). Some sources identify Houston and Austin as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the “Top 10” U.S. cities for self-storage, with San Antonio not far behind.

With so many people – including military personnel – moving to Texas, it is likely that you or someone you know has items in self-storage.  What does this mean?   Continue reading

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