Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act in Pennsylvania

Fraudulent or negligent conduct is not necessary for a court to find a business's conduct misleading or deceptive, make sure you stay compliant.

Frequently in commercial litigation, the recovery of compensatory damages is not sufficient to make the plaintiff whole. As a result, plaintiffs often seek to recover additional damages such as attorneys' fees, litigation costs, and treble damages under a consumer protection statute. This topic will address the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law in Pennsylvania, and various legal issues that have arisen since the statute was first adopted in 1968. The Pennsylvania statute mirrors consumer protection laws adopted in other states, and while the focus of the presentation will be upon the Pennsylvania law, there will be discussion of how other states have addressed some of the issues differently than Pennsylvania. The material will focus on practical issues that arise under the statute, such as who may bring a claim, when the claim must be brought, and what the plaintiff must prove. The course will also address specific issues that arise in cases where the claim arises from a contractual situation. The material will cover the damages that may be recovered for a violation of the UTPCPL.