Flattmann Law - November 2020

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to news in a way people have never experienced before. People have never been as connected with the entire world as they are now. You can find out almost instantly what is happening in other parts of the world — a news report can be shared thousands of times within an hour after release. When the United Nations held the first World Television Forum in 1996, it was to discuss the significant impact of TVs. With access to so much information, people were understanding the world far better, becoming more aware of social injustice as well as movements toward peace and security, and focusing more on economic and social problems. The United Nations realized just how powerful TV is and dedicated Nov. 21 as a day to spread awareness and celebrate this impact.

In a way, whenever you turn on your TV, open your phone, or hop on your computer to enjoy a movie or check the news, you’re observing World Television Day — you just didn’t know it. This month, be aware of exactly what the TV has done in the past century and continue its celebration by sharing your favorite form of video media. Ice, Ice, Lawsuit Woman Sues Starbucks Over ‘Too Much Ice’

Sometimes, there is such a thing as “too much ice.” You’re sipping your cold beverage when suddenly, it’s gone far quicker than you expected. All you’re left with is a cup full of ice. It’s disappointing, for sure, but is it so disappointing that you would want to file a lawsuit against the company that supplied the beverage? That’s exactly what Stacy Pincus did in 2016. She ordered an iced coffee from Starbucks, only to find “too much ice” in her drink. The lawsuit, filed in Chicago, alleged that the drink was advertised as a 24-ounce beverage, but once the ice was factored in, Pincus and her lawyers claimed the drink was really only “14 fluid ounces.” “Starbucks’ advertising practices are clearly meant to mislead consumers when combined with the standard practice of filling a cold drink cup with far less liquid than the cup can hold,” the suit claimed. NBC News reported that Pincus sought damages to the tune of $5 million against the coffee chain.

“The plaintiff would not have paid as much,” her lawyers stated in a court document, “if anything, for the cold drinks had she known that they contained less, and in many cases, nearly half as many, fluid ounces than claimed by Starbucks. As a result, the plaintiff suffered injury in fact and lost money or property.” Starbucks’ response: “Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any ‘iced’ beverage. If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it.” The company also reaffirmed that you can order any iced beverage with “light ice” and receive half the ice normally included. Interestingly, a second lawsuit against Starbucks popped up in Los Angeles a few months later, but both cases were thrown out. Pincus never saw a cent of that $5 million, nor did she recoup her attorneys’ fees. The case went on to be called “one of the most frivolous lawsuits of 2016.”

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