National Floors Direct Seeks Unfair Business Practices Award Against Empire Today Following Victory in Federal Lawsuit

BOSTON, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- National Floors Direct announced today it is pursuing damages on an unfair business practices claim against Chicago-based Empire Today in the wake of a jury's verdict in U.S. District Court that found Empire abused the legal process when it sued National Floors Direct.

National Floors Direct - based in Avon, Mass. – began serving New England in 2006. Over the past five years the company's next-day service model and "15% price guarantee" have provided tens of thousands of customers with savings on floor coverings.

In December, 2008, Empire filed a lawsuit against NFD and approximately 20 individuals, including National Floors Direct's sales representatives, employees and the company leadership, alleging a variety of unfair business practices.  National Floors Direct denied the allegations in the complaint and filed a counterclaim against Empire alleging, among other things, that Empire had abused the legal process by filing suit in an attempt to put National Floors Direct out of business.

In October, a federal district court jury ruled unanimously against Empire on all of its claims against National Floors Direct and ruled unanimously that Empire Today had "abused the legal process by filing suit against NFD."  The jury awarded the company $500,000 in damages.  Empire has filed a notice that it intends to appeal the ruling.

"We were confident from the day Empire filed suit that the company's claims were totally untrue and that Empire had sued just to try and put us out of business," said Aaron Rosenberg, President of National Floors Direct. "We were happy the jury agreed with us and saw Empire's lawsuit for what it was – an abuse of the legal process."

Following the jury's verdict that Empire Today committed abuse of process, National Floors Direct has asked the U.S. District Court to find that Empire's conduct also violated Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 93A.  The statute prohibits, among other things, unfair and deceptive business practices and provides for the recovery of up to triple damages, as well as attorneys fees and costs.

"The jury verdict was a victory for National Floors Direct and more importantly a victory for consumers," said Rosenberg. "We look forward to continuing to provide our New England markets with quality carpet, hardwood and laminate floor coverings at great prices."

About National Floors Direct

National Floors Direct is a family-owned and family-run floor covering business serving tens of thousands of New England customers.  As a leading retailer of floor coverings, National Floors Direct offers products such as carpet, hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring, and guarantees it will beat anyone's price by 15% on every installation (see terms and conditions for details).  To learn more, please visit www.888400floor.com or www.nationalfloorsdirect.com.

SOURCE National Floors Direct