Ohio Sales Practices Act claims against companies are serious

Businesses in this state are expected to comply with the terms of the Ohio Sales Practices Act, but some business owners aren’t quite certain how this applies to their company. When a business isn’t in compliance, they can face legal action. This act is meant to help protect consumers from issues that stem from unfair, deceptive or unconscionable practices. The act doesn’t only protect consumers when a good is being sold. It also protects them from being misled into a transaction involving services. Because of this, you should always ensure that you and everyone representing your company acts in an ethical manner. A claim under this act can be costly. Your company could be forced to pay up to $5,000 in non-economic damages. You could also be on the hook for attorney fees and treble damages. Unfortunately, fighting these claims is often a big challenge because of the specifics of the act. It is much easier for consumers to prove that they have a claim than what they’d have to prove if this wasn’t in effect. The claims that a company may face range from not providing a customer with a written estimate to making false statements like claiming that a product has a warranty or certification when it doesn’t. Even incorrectly saying that a repair or replacement is needed on a product can lead to a claim. Any business owner who’s facing litigation due to an alleged violation of this act should work quickly to determine what recourse they have. Working with someone who is familiar with this act may help you focus on running your company instead of constantly trying to strategize what to do. Just remember, the future of your business should be the basis for all decisions you make.