In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.
See 9 U.S.C. § 1. In Concepcion, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that class action waivers in arbitration agreements are enforceable.
1 In the context of arbitration, waiver occurs when a party consciously and intentionally gives up its right to arbitrate a particular dispute, thereby choosing litigation as the preferred method of dispute resolution.
There are some benefits to arbitration if something goes wrong for you alone because it can be easier and faster to navigate than going to court. That being said, if you would prefer to have access to class action lawsuits, then opting out might be the better option for you.
Because of limited discovery, lack of a jury, and limited appeal rights, arbitration outcomes are riskier and more final than court litigation. It is hard to see why arbitration would be fairer than court litigation. Arbitration is litigation, just not in court.
An arbitration agreement can be voided if a party is deceived, intimidated or coerced during the execution of the agreement. Just don't sign it and let it do it automatically. If you really want to sue it won't be hard to claim any of the above.
Unconscionability requires a showing of both a procedural and substantive defect in the document for the agreement to be rendered unenforceable by the court. Procedural unconscionability results from oppression or unfair surprise to one party caused by unequal bargaining power.
drafted arbitration clause can kill a class action in its infancy. Therefore, when evaluating a consumer class action case, you should attempt to determine whether the putative plaintiff is in a contractual relationship with the defendant business.
Under binding arbitration, as is required here, the parties agree to accept the arbitrator's decision as final, limiting their right to seek resolution of the dispute by the court.