GET STARTED Copywrite © 2005 Loss Recovery Center, Inc. HOW TO USE THIS SITE HOW TO USE THIS SITE This site contains each of the form files that can be used as templates when preparing your claim. After familiarizing yourself with the sample cases and their various issues, select the appropriate cause of action file. Remove any Loss Recovery Center footers and reformat the document form if needed. Don't ramble on and on. Be concise. Be sure to include any and all exhibits of information that support your claim. Include letters, notes or any type of correspondence you might have had with your broker that might be incriminating to him. Remember, all the single arbitrator will have to go on is what information you supply him or her. If additional information is requested of you, be prepared to send it along if you have it available. Use the sample letters to shape the style of your response to any requests that may be made of you. If you have a legitimate cause of action the chances are you will fare well if you follow the directions, suggestions and forms contained in this handbook. Of course there is no guarantee you will recover anything. Your broker is depending upon the well known statistics that show only less than 1% of abused investors even attempt to recover their losses! The majority of victimized investors just simply give up! -- They are either too embarrassed or concerned with having to go up against too powerful of an industry. Here is your opportunity to fight back! -- If you feel you have been abused by your broker, taken advantage of, lied to and made a victim of false promises by someone who was thinking more of themselves than of you, don't wait any longer. Put the information contained on this site to work today! You owe it to yourself. If at any time you have questions regarding the materials on this site or feel you need to consult with an attorney, please call Loss Recovery Center’s headquarter offices and ask for our consumer affairs department at (877) 466-2722 and ask to speak to one of our staff members. We will attempt to answer your questions or render any help as promptly as we can. If there is no prior settlement of the dispute between the parties, the arbitration process involves a hearing before a panel of arbitrators (usually three) appointed by the NASD that listens to both sides discuss their differences before rendering a final decision that is binding on the parties. Except in rare instances, there is no appeal from the decision. While NASD arbitrations have no upward limitation on the dollar amount in disputes, or the level of complexity involved, there are special procedures available for investor disputes which involve losses of $25,000 and under. This category of dispute may be handled as a "Simplified Arbitration." Under the Simplified Arbitration guidelines, investors who have experienced losses can prepare and file a claim on their own utilizing forms the NASD makes available, through a Simplified Arbitration Kit. At the request of a claimant in a Simplified Arbitration case, the NASD appoints a single arbitrator to review the Claimant's allegations and Respondent's answer to the complaint. After reviewing the claim, the answer, and supporting exhibits if any, the arbitrator, without a hearing, renders a decision that is binding and final. THE POTENTIAL FLAW IN THIS PROCESS Each year the Internal Revenue Service sends out millions of tax forms for taxpayers to use in the preparation of their annual tax returns. Many taxpayers seek help from their accountants or other tax preparation services. The forms sent by the IRS usually end up in the garbage. Taxpayers realize that when it comes to minimizing tax liability or maximizing tax refunds, it pays to get experienced help. Filing a simplified arbitration claim should be no different. How can the average Claimant, with limited knowledge of the securities industry and complex rules, expect to fare against the experience of Respondent's counsel? A victimized investor needs to level the playing field! Hiring a securities lawyer to handle a small simplified arbitration claim of $25,000 or less may be difficult. This handbook is designed to guide the individual investor through the entire process of Simplified Arbitration. This site will assist you in the preparation, filing and presentation of your small claim to recover your losses through simplified arbitration. All the materials contained on this site were derived from the files and archives of various Loss Recovery Center members and from the files and cases contributed by other consultants and case managers involved in securities arbitration counseling. It is recommended that upon reviewing this site, you contact the NASD at 1-800-289-9999 and order the "Code Of Arbitration Procedure" and "Arbitration Procedures" booklets. These handbooks are free of charge and contain information that will prove helpful. They also contain the current schedule of filing fees required when filing arbitration cases with the NASD. For your review we have included a sample section of the NASD's Simplified Arbitration Kit for you to study and use as a reference. You may also find valuable information at the N.A.S.D. website. You are now ready to use this form or template for your Statement Of Claim. The form and language is all here. Begin to describe your problem by downloading the MS Word Document called Worksheet.doc and then cutting and pasting your story into the file's format or, view a printable version of this form by clicking HERE and selecting PRINT from your browser -- It's as simple as that. If you experience any problem with downloading the files or their format call our technical support at (877) 466-2722 and you will receive prompt assistance. Good Luck!