The law protects the Texans and those who do business with companies in the state from the unscrupulous actions of retailers, insurance companies and other businesses. If you believe that you have been the victim of deceptive business practices, you have the right to pursue legal recourse under the Deceptive Trade Practices – Consumer Protection Act (also known as "DTPA").
A primary form of deceptive business practice is misrepresentation of a product, service or ability to perform a service. The DTPA offers protections for consumers who are targets of salespeople making false statements to make a sale, retailers engaging in false advertising techniques and sales schemes, and service providers who are unable to deliver in the manner expected and promised.
Another form of fraudulent and deceptive business is breach of warranty. When goods or services are purchased and a warranty is implied or stated, the consumer has the right to expect the warranty will be honored should there ever be just cause. When a product is defective or does not perform in the manner expected and the merchant fails to honor the warranty, the merchant can be held in contempt of the DTPA.
Beyond deceptive sales strategies and breaches of warranty, the DTPA protects consumers from unconscionable acts. If a seller capitalizes on your lack of knowledge, experience or ability in order to complete a transaction, you may be able to hold the seller liable for unlawful acts under the DTPA.
In addition to retailers, insurance companies are required to abide by the Texas DTPA. Consumers expect insurance companies to act in good faith, when homeowner, auto coverage claims, including PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or workers’ compensation insurance are filed. If the insurance company delays payment of a claim, ignores a claim or denies a covered claim, the company may be held liable for bad faith, breach of contract or other DTPA violations.
At the Law Offices of Michael R. De La Paz, we represent consumers who are victims of fraudulent transactions in the purchase or lease of goods and services in Texas. With offices in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, we represent individuals throughout Texas and those in other states who have consumer protection claims in the Lone Star state.
The law sets the time you have to file a consumer protection claim. It is crucial to seek legal advice and guidance the moment you suspect you are the victim of a fraudulent transaction. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the sooner your attorney can take appropriate legal action.
If you believe you are the victim of fraud or deceptive business practices, contact the Law Offices of Michael R. De. La Paz at (210) 225-4878 or toll free at (800) 645-8553. We have broad experience representing the rights of consumers and stand ready to pursue claims of DTPA violations against businesses and insurance companies in Texas.
Contact Our Firm Immediately With Your Legal Concerns.
The Law Offices of Michael De La Paz represents clients throughout Texas in all areas of personal injury and consumer law.
The law firm serves cities including, but not limited to San Antonio, San Marcos New Braunsfels, Austin, Port Aransas, Rockport, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, Del Rio, Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Dallas, Fort Worth, Kingsville, Alice and Harlingen as well as the counties of Bexar, Travis, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant, Jefferson, Hays, Cameron and Val Verde.