Tennessee Arbitration Agreements
Next month I will be flying to New York with my client and two witnesses to arbitrate a case that occurred in Tennessee. We have to argue this case out of state and pay thousands of dollars to a private arbitrator chosen by the company that injured my client. We have to arbitrate this case because my client unknowingly entered into an arbitration agreement when he signed up for services with the company. My client gave little thought to the arbitration clause because his needs were urgent and he trusted the company. If he only knew now what he knew then he would have never signed the agreement.
This week congress will be reviewing the laws surrounding arbitration agreements. Arbitrations were originally thought to be a great answer to an overcrowded court system. Unfortunately, big companies are using the agreements to discourage claims and put victims in an unfair positions. Now instead of having a claim resolved by a jury of your peers, people are forced to pay thousands of dollars to arbitrate any claim. This leaves many without any recourse. So be careful next time you are asked to sign an arbitration agreement. If you have questions with regard to an arbitration clause give us a call.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
