Consumer Protection in the United States: An Overview

European Journal of Consumer Law, May 2011

36 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2007 Last revised: 13 Oct 2020

See all articles by Spencer Weber Waller

Spencer Weber Waller

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Jillian G. Brady

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

R.J. Acosta

Loyola University of Chicago

Jennifer Fair

Loyola University of Chicago

Jacob Morse

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Date Written: January 12, 2011

Abstract

This chapter, which will appear in a forthcoming international anthology on consumer protection law, is a broad overview of United States consumer protection law and enforcement. It focuses on the utterly decentralized nature of consumer protection law in the U.S. and the combined roles of federal, state, local, and private law in deterring, detecting, and punishing deceptive and unfair conduct that injures consumers. It further summarizes federal, state, local, and private litigation options to obtain damages, restitution, and injunctive relief for consumers on an individual and class action basis. It ends with a partial list of consumer associations and other private non-profit group working in the consumer protection field.

Keywords: consumer protection, consumer law, federal trade commission, class actions, restitution, private rights of action, warranties, fraud, unfair trade, deceptive trade practices

JEL Classification: K20, K33, K40, K41, K42, K49

Suggested Citation

Waller, Spencer Weber and Brady, Jillian G. and Acosta, R.J. and Fair, Jennifer and Morse, Jacob, Consumer Protection in the United States: An Overview (January 12, 2011). European Journal of Consumer Law, May 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1000226

Spencer Weber Waller (Contact Author)

Loyola University Chicago School of Law ( email )

25 E Pearson St.
Room 1041
Chicago, IL 60611
United States
312-915-7137 (Phone)
312-915-7201 (Fax)

Jillian G. Brady

Loyola University Chicago School of Law ( email )

25 E. Pearson
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

R.J. Acosta

Loyola University of Chicago ( email )

25 East Pearson Street
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Jennifer Fair

Loyola University of Chicago ( email )

25 East Pearson Street
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Jacob Morse

Loyola University Chicago School of Law ( email )

25 E. Pearson
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
4,981
Abstract Views
19,469
Rank
3,367
PlumX Metrics