Business Torts
Business torts are claims brought for wrongdoing when one company violates the law and takes advantage of an individual or another business. The Raleigh law firm of Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau works with individuals and businesses to recover damages, attorney fees, and other restitution when unlawful activity is proven.
Examples of past business tort cases include:
- $78 million settlement for 16 out of state Honda dealers for their share of a $330 million settlement with Honda in In re American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Dealerships Relations Litigation (MDL 1069)
- $5 million settlement for a N.C. Honda dealer with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for unfair and deceptive trade practices
- $3 million settlement for a N.C. Honda dealer with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for unfair and deceptive trade practices
- $5.9 million settlement for a N.C. Toyota dealer with Southeast Toyota Distributors, Inc. for unfair automobile distribution practices
- $6 million settlement for a S.C. Toyota dealer with Southeast Toyota Distributors, Inc. for fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices
- $5.3 million compensatory and punitive damages verdict against Snap-on Tools Corporation for fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices
For more details, see Verdicts and Settlements.
Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices
Unfair and deceptive trade practices are generally categorized as immoral or unethical business transactions with the potential to harm or deceive consumers. In North Carolina, victims of unfair and deceptive trade practices are entitled to have their damages trebled and may recover attorney fees as well. Speak to one of our reliable, veteran attorneys if you suspect you or your business has been adversely affected by unfair or deceptive trade practices.
Fraud
Fraud is one of the most common business tort claims and occurs when one party intentionally deceives another to gain money or some other advantage. A lawyer experienced in fraud cases can prove how the defendant misrepresented or omitted information and establish the resulting losses you or your business suffered. In North Carolina, victims of fraud may recover punitive damages in addition to their actual losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for intentional or wreckless misconduct.
Insurance Bad Faith
When consumers buy auto, health, disability, accident, home, fire, or other insurance, they assume that when a reasonable claim is made, their insurance company will pay it. Policyholders are generally upset, hurt, sick, grief stricken, or suffering in some way when making a claim. The last thing they need is to be unfairly turned down by insurance companies.
State law requires insurance companies to pay legitimate claims in a timely way unless they can prove there is reasonable justification for refusing. Contact Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau if you believe an insurance company is treating your claim in bad faith.
Experience Makes a Difference
Our attorneys know how to handle business torts. Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau has more than 50 years of experience in business tort litigation and the track record to go along with it.
We have litigated cases in the state and federal courts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Attorneys Don Beskind and Don Strickland took part in the 1998 In re American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Dealerships Relations Litigation case, where a $330 million settlement was won for plaintiffs of which $78 million went to the firm's 16 individual clients—at the time the largest civil RICO settlement in the United States. In related litigation, Don Strickland negotiated recovery of an additional $60 million from Honda in 2002.
When you need help, trust Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau
Contact us today for a free initial consultation on your business tort matter. Call Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau or complete our contact form for more information. We will demonstrate our commitment to service by responding to you quickly.
