November 24, 2010
I am an attorney from York, Pennsylvania. I have represented injured consumers for the past 11 years. I have been in practice since 1975.
I support the proposal that would permit consumers to choose an arbitration panel free of an industry representative. Clients that are explained the present process express some concern that they are required to select an arbitrator from a specific class of individuals. They express far more confidence in a process that permits them unrestricted choices, such as one would have with the selection of a jury.
I suspect that the original rule was established as a concession to get the industry more comfortable with the process. Ultimately, the system should be focused on the protection and comfort level of the consumer.