Why should we have a consumer law task force? Why are consumer cases more than "nickel and dime"cases?

It does little for a client for us to win social security, unemployment compensation or public assistance benefits if the income is taken by price-gouging merchants and predatory lenders.

Protecting a client's hard-won income is crucial. Consumer law can offer solutions for problems that do not typically fall within the traditional definition of a consumer case. Knowledge of bankruptcy law can save low-income families' housing assistance benefits, save their right to live in public housing, or enable them to catch up on rent or mortgage payment. Consumer law can provide important causes of action that address both the quality-of-care and financial aspects of health care and nursing homes. An advocate who is familiar with consumer law can help clients keep the cars that they need to get to jobs

The next Consumer Law Task Force meeting is on Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 1:30 p.m., in the second conference room of the main office of Atlanta Legal Aid, 151 Spring Street, Atlanta.