Last revised August 30, 2021
These terms and conditions of use (“Terms of Use,” or “Agreement”) govern your use of our online interfaces and digital properties (e.g., websites) owned and controlled by , Inc. (“PALA Pharmaceuticals”), including the www.PALAPharmaceuticals.com website (our “Website”) (our Website and its features are referred to together as the “Digital Services”). Your compliance with these Terms of Use is a condition to your use of the Digital Services. If you do not agree to be bound by the Terms of Use, promptly exit the Digital Services. Please also consult our Privacy Policy for a description of our privacy practices and policies.
PALA is not a medical group and does not provide medical treatment. Any telemedicine consults obtained through our Digital Services are provided by independent medical practitioners including, but not limited to, PALA Pharmaceuticals, P.A. (“PALA Medical”), an independent medical group with a network of United States based health care providers (each, a “Provider” and collectively the “Providers”). PALA Medical (or your own provider if you do not use a PALA Medical Provider) is responsible for providing you with a Notice of Privacy Practices describing its collection and use of your health information, not PAL . If you do not agree to be bound by those terms, you are not authorized to access or use our Digital Services, and you must promptly exit our Digital Services.
Binding Arbitration. These Terms of Use provide that all disputes between you and PALA that in any way relate to these Terms of Use or your use of the Digital Services will be resolved by BINDING ARBITRATION. ACCORDINGLY, YOU AGREE TO GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO GO TO COURT (INCLUDING IN A CLASS ACTION PROCEEDING) to assert or defend your rights under these Terms of Use (except for matters that may be taken to small claims court). Your rights will be determined by a NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR and NOT a judge or jury and your claims cannot be brought as a class action. Please review the Section below entitled Dispute Resolution; Arbitration Agreement for the details regarding your agreement to arbitrate any disputes with PALA.
1. Ownership of the Digital ServicesAll pages, features, and content within these Digital Services and any material made available for download are the property of PALA, or its licensors or suppliers, as applicable. The Digital Services are protected by United States and international copyright and trademark laws. The contents of the Digital Services, including without limitation all data, files, documents, text, photographs, images, audio, and video, and any materials accessed through or made available for use or download through these Digital Services (“Content”) may not be copied, distributed, modified, reproduced, published, or used, in whole or in part, except for purposes authorized by these Terms of Use or otherwise approved in writing by PALA. You may not frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose, or deep link to, any name, trademarks, service marks, logo, Content or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of PALA without our express written consent.
2. Access to Digital Services, Security and Restrictions; Passwords. You are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Digital Services, including, without limitation, (a) accessing data not intended for such user or logging onto a server or an account which the user is not authorized to access; or (b) attempting to probe, scan or test the vulnerability of a system or network or to breach security or authentication measures without proper authorization; or (c) accessing or using the Digital Services or any portion thereof without authorization, in violation of these Terms of Use or in violation of applicable law.
You may not use any scraper, crawler, spider, robot, or other automated means of any kind to access or copy data on the Digital Services, deep-link to any feature or content on the Digital Services, bypass our robot exclusion headers or other measures we may use to prevent or restrict access to the Digital Services. Violations of system or network security may result in civil or criminal liability. PALA will investigate occurrences that may involve such violations and may involve, and cooperate with, law enforcement authorities in prosecuting users who are involved in such violations. You agree not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of these Digital Services or any activity being conducted on these Digital Services.
In the event access to the Digital Services or a portion thereof is limited requiring a user ID and password (“Protected Areas”), you agree to access Protected Areas using only your user ID and password as provided to you by PALA. You agree to protect the confidentiality of your user ID and password, and not to share or disclose your user ID or password to any third party. You agree that you are fully responsible for all activity occurring under your user ID. Your access to the Digital Services may be revoked by PALA at any time with or without cause. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold PALA harmless from and against all third party claims, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) against or incurred by PALA arising out of your breach of these Terms of Use or violation of applicable law, your use or access of the Digital Services, or access by anyone accessing the Digital Services using your user ID and password.
3. Account Set-UpYou agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information when registering to use the Digital Services and establishing your account (“Registration Information”) and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Information to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current, or incomplete, or PALA has reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current, or incomplete, PALA may suspend or terminate your account. You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any passwords and any usage and activities that occur in connection with your account. You agree not to allow others to access your account or utilize your password. Doing so will compromise the security of your account.
4. Accuracy and Integrity of Information; ColorsAlthough PALA attempts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the Digital Services, it makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees whatsoever as to the correctness or accuracy of the Digital Services and Content thereon. It is possible that the Digital Services could include typographical errors, inaccuracies or other errors, and that unauthorized additions, deletions and alterations could be made to the Digital Services by third parties. In the event that an inaccuracy arises, please inform PALA so that it can be corrected. PALA reserves the right to unilaterally correct any inaccuracies on the Digital Services without notice. Information contained on the Digital Services may be changed or updated without notice. Additionally, PALA shall have no responsibility or liability for information or Content posted to the Digital Services from any non-PALA affiliated third party.
We have made significant efforts to accurately display the colors of our products that appear on the Digital Services. However, as the actual colors you see will depend on your monitor, we cannot guarantee that your monitor’s display of any color will be accurate.
5. Links to Other SitesPALA makes no representations whatsoever about any other website that you may access through these Digital Services. When you access a non-PALA website, please understand that it is independent from PALA , and that PALA has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a link to a non-PALA website does not mean that PALA endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of the linked website. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use or download is free of such items as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other items of a destructive nature. If you decide to access any of the third party websites linked to these Digital Services, you do this entirely at your own risk.
6. Disclaimer of WarrantiesPALA DOES NOT WARRANT THAT ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE DIGITAL SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE DIGITAL SERVICES WILL BE CORRECTED. THESE DIGITAL SERVICES, INCLUDING ANY CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN IT OR ANY SERVICE RELATED TO THE DIGITAL SERVICES, IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” WITH ALL FAULTS, WITH NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, QUALITY OF INFORMATION, QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND TITLE/NON-INFRINGEMENT. PALA DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR TIMELINESS OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE DIGITAL SERVICES.
YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR USE OF THESE DIGITAL SERVICES, DIGITAL SERVICES-RELATED SERVICES, AND LINKED WEBSITES. PALA DOES NOT WARRANT THAT FILES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD WILL BE FREE OF VIRUSES, WORMS, TROJAN HORSES, OR OTHER DESTRUCTIVE PROGRAMMING. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES SUFFICIENT TO SATISFY YOUR NEEDS FOR DATA BACK UP AND SECURITY.
WARRANTIES RELATING TO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES OFFERED, SOLD AND DISTRIBUTED BY PALA ARE SUBJECT TO SEPARATE WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS, IF ANY, PROVIDED WITH OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICABLE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
7. No Medical Advice or CareThe Providers are independent of PALA and are merely using the Digital Services as a way to communicate with you. Any information or advice received from a Provider comes from them alone, and not from PALA. Your interactions with a Provider via the Digital Services is not intended to take the place of your relationship with your regular health care practitioners or primary care physician. Neither PALA, nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any third party who may promote the Digital Services or provide a link to the services, shall be liable for any professional advice obtained from a Provider via the Digital Services, nor any information obtained on the Digital Services. PALA does not make any representations or warranties about the training or skills of any Providers who deliver services via the Digital Services. You will be provided with available Providers based solely on the information you submit to the Digital Services. You are ultimately responsible for choosing your particular Provider.
The content of the Digital Services, including without limitation, text, copy, audio, video, photographs, illustrations, graphics, and other visuals, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or recommendations of any kind. You should always seek the advice of your qualified heath care professionals with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your individual needs and any medical conditions.
PALA does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, Providers, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be included on the Digital Services. Reliance on any information appearing on the Digital Services, whether provided by PALA, its content providers, its clients, visitors to the Digital Services or others, is solely at your own risk. The medical services, treatment, and care you receive may vary depending on the Provider you interact with. Please contact your Provider directly for any questions regarding your care or medical treatment. Not for EmergenciesIF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD DIAL “911” IMMEDIATELY.
PALA’s Digital Services are not for medical emergencies or urgent situations. You should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on anything that appears or does not appear on the Digital Services. If you believe you have an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
You should seek emergency help or follow up care when recommended by a Provider or when otherwise needed. You should continue to consult with your primary provider and other healthcare professionals as recommended. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider concerning questions you have regarding a medical condition and before stopping, starting, or modifying any treatment or medication.
Risks of Telehealth Services
Telehealth involves the delivery of healthcare services using electronic communications, information technology, or other means between a healthcare provider and a patient who is not in the same physical location. While the provision of health care services using telehealth may offer certain potential benefits, there are also potential risks associated with the use of telehealth. The telehealth services are not a substitute for in-person health care in all cases. In order to use the telehealth services, you will be required to review and agree to an informed consent regarding the use of telehealth (the “Patient Consent”) that will be provided to you by the Providers through the Digital Services. You agree that PALA is a third-party beneficiary of the Patient Consent and has the right to enforce it against you.
Prescription Policy
Certain products available through the Digital Services require a valid prescription by a licensed healthcare provider. You will not be able to obtain a prescription product unless you have completed a consultation with one of the Providers through the Digital Services, the Provider has determined the prescription product is appropriate for you, and the Provider has written a prescription.
You agree that any prescriptions that you acquire from a Provider will be solely for your personal use. You agree to fully and carefully read all provided product information and labels and to contact a physician or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding the prescription. PALA fully honors patient freedom of choice and, if you receive a prescription for a medication, you always have the option to instruct your Provider to transmit that prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.
Not an Insurance Product
PALA is not an insurer. The services provided by and through the Digital Services are not insurance products. If you desire any type of health or other insurance, you will need to purchase such insurance separately.
8. Limitation of Liability Regarding Use of Digital Services
PALA AND ANY THIRD PARTIES MENTIONED ON THESE DIGITAL SERVICES ARE NEITHER RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE DIGITAL SERVICES, DIGITAL SERVICES-RELATED SERVICES, CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THE DIGITAL SERVICES, AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY AND WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DIGITAL SERVICES, DIGITAL SERVICES-RELATED SERVICES, AND/OR LINKED WEBSITES IS TO STOP USING THE DIGITAL SERVICES AND/OR THOSE SERVICES. TO THE EXTENT ANY ASPECTS OF THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF PALA TO YOU WITH RESPECT TO YOUR USE OF THESE DIGITAL SERVICES IS $500 (FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS).
9. Supplemental Terms Applicable to Providers
These supplemental terms apply to Providers in addition to the other provisions of these Terms of Use. In the event of a conflict between the supplemental terms and any other terms herein, the supplemental terms shall prevail.
To be a healthcare provider using the Digital Services (for purposes of this Section 9, “Provider” or “you”), you must be a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or healthcare professional contracted or employed by PALA Medical, and must agree to comply with all laws, medical board rules, and other rules and regulations applicable to you as a Provider or otherwise. Your relationship with the PALA users (including, but not limited to, your PALA Medical patients) is directly between you and the patient. The patient will never have a physician-patient relationship with PALA. PALA does not practice medicine and offers no medical services. As set forth more fully below, Provider is solely responsible for all agreements, consents, notices, and other interactions with patients and other consumers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Provider and PALA are each responsible for all billings and collections from patients and other consumers, and PALA shall have no liability whatsoever to Provider with respect to any amounts owed by any patient or other consumer to Provider.
PALA does not provide any medical advice, legal advice, or representations in any way regarding any legal or medical issues associated with Provider, goods, or services offered by Provider, including but not limited to any compliance obligations or steps necessary to comply with any state or federal laws and regulations. Provider should seek legal counsel regarding any legal and compliance issues and should not rely on any materials or content associated with the Digital Services in determining Provider’s compliance obligations under the law. Provider and PALA agree that PALA is not providing to customers, patients, or anyone else, medical advice or legal advice. THE PALA DIGITAL SERVICES ARE NOT MEANT TO SUBSTITUTE OR MODIFY YOUR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT IN ANY WAY.
Provider will use the Digital Services only in accordance with applicable standards of good medical practice. While software products such as the Digital Services can facilitate and improve the quality of service that Provider can offer patients, many factors, including but not limited to the provider/patient relationship, can affect a patient’s outcome, and with intricate and interdependent technologies and complex decision-making, it is often difficult or impossible to accurately determine what the factors were and in what proportion they affected an outcome. Provider shall be solely responsible for its use of the Digital Services and the provision of medical services to Provider’s patients. In this regard, Provider releases PALA and waives any and all potential claims against PALA as a result of Provider’s use of the Digital Services and the provision of services to Provider’s patients.
As a result of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the patient care process, Provider agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold PALA harmless from any claim by or on behalf of any patient of Provider, or by or on behalf of any other third party or person claiming damage by virtue of a familial or financial relationship with such a patient, which is brought against PALA, regardless of the cause if such claim arises for any reason whatsoever, out of Provider’s use or operation of the Digital Services. To the extent applicable, Provider will obtain PALA’s prior written consent to any settlement or judgment in which Provider agrees to any finding of fault of PALA or defect in the Digital Services. PALA will promptly notify Provider in writing of any claim subject to this indemnification, promptly provide Provider with the information reasonably required for the defense of the same, and grant to Provider exclusive control over its defense and settlement.
If you submit, upload, transmit, or post any consents, notices, advice, recommendations, comments, files, videos, images, or other materials to us or our Digital Services (“Provider Content”) or provide any Provider Content to patients or other consumers, you agree not to provide any Provider Content that (a) is defamatory, abusive, libelous, unlawful, obscene, threatening, harassing, fraudulent, pornographic, or harmful, or that could encourage criminal or unethical behavior, (b) violates or infringes the privacy, copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secrets, or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, or (c) contains or transmits a virus or any other harmful component. Provider is solely responsible for obtaining all necessary agreements and consents from, and providing all required notices to, patients and other consumers. You agree not to contact other users through unsolicited emails, telephone calls, mailings, or any other method of communication. You represent and warrant to PALA that you have the legal right and authorization to upload all Provider Content to the Digital Services. PALA shall have a royalty-free, irrevocable, transferable right, and license to use the Provider Content however PALA desires, including without limitation, to copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from or sell or distribute such Provider Content or incorporate such Provider Content into any form, medium, or technology throughout the world. PALA is and shall be under no obligation: (i) to maintain any Provider Content in confidence; (ii) to pay to you any compensation for any Provider Content; or (iii) to respond to any Provider Content.
PALA does not regularly review Provider Content, but does reserve the right (but not the obligation) to monitor and edit or remove any Provider Content submitted to the Digital Services. You grant PALA the right to use the name that you submit in connection with any Provider Content. You agree not to use a false email address, impersonate any person or entity, or otherwise mislead as to the origin of any Provider Content. You are and shall remain solely responsible for the content of any Provider Content you post to the Digital Services or provide to patients or other consumers. PALA and its affiliates take no responsibility and assume no liability for any Provider Content submitted by you or any third party.
10. Consent to Receive Calls and Text Messages and Video Recording
By providing your mobile number, you are agreeing to be contacted by or on behalf of PALA at the mobile number you have provided, including calls and text messages, to receive informational, product or service related (e.g., progress tracking, reminders, etc.) messages and communications relating to the Digital Services. Message and data rates may apply. To stop receiving text messages text a reply to us with the word STOP. We may confirm your opt out by text message. If you subscribe to multiple types of text messages from us, we may unsubscribe you from the service that most recently sent you a message or respond to your STOP message by texting you a request to identify services you wish to stop. Please note, that by withdrawing your consent, some Digital Services may no longer be available to you. Keep in mind that if you stop receiving text messages from us you may not receive important and helpful information and reminders about your services.
PALA or your Provider may record (audio and video) all or part of your interaction with us or them (“Recordings”). Such Recordings are used for quality assurance purposes, to better deliver to you the products and services, and to help PALA improve the Digital Services. PALA will keep such Recordings confidential, and we will not publicly display such recordings unless legally required to do so, such as if subject to a court order. By accessing and using our Digital Services, you agree and consent to such Recordings for the purposes and uses set forth in these Terms of Use and as otherwise set forth in the Privacy Policy.
11. CAN-SPAM Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act Compliance
PALA and your Provider are committed to being compliant with the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (“CAN-SPAM ACT”) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). You consent to receive text messages from us as set forth in Section 10, above (Consent to Receive Calls and Text Messages and Video Recordings). Emails, newsletters, and text messages received from us are intended to fully comply with the CAN-SPAM ACT and the TCPA. In the event you receive an email or text message from us which you do not believe is fully compliant with the CAN-SPAM ACT or the TCPA, please contact us immediately at support@PALAhealth.com.
12. Online Payments
You can purchase products and/or services on the Digital Services. We accept credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks. If a credit card account is being used for a transaction, PALA may obtain preapproval for an amount up to the amount of the payment. If you enroll to make recurring payments automatically, all charges and fees will be billed to the credit card you designate during the setup process. If you want to designate a different credit card or if there is a change in your credit card, you must change your information online. This may temporarily delay your ability to make online payments while we verify your new payment information.
You represent and warrant that if you are making online payments that (i) any credit card, debit card, and bank account information you supply is true, correct, and complete, (ii) charges incurred by you will be honored by your credit/debit card company or bank, (iii) you will pay the charges incurred by you in the amounts posted, including any applicable taxes, and (iv) you are the person in whose name the card was issued and you are authorized to make a purchase or other transaction with the relevant credit card and credit card information.
13. Order Acceptance
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to refuse or cancel any order for any reason. Your account may also be restricted or terminated for any reason, at our sole discretion. For your convenience, you will not be charged until your payment method is authorized, the order information is verified for accuracy and your order is shipped. Some situations that may result in your order being canceled include limitations on quantities available for purchase, inaccuracies or errors in product or pricing information, or problems identified by our credit and fraud avoidance department. We may also require additional verifications or information before accepting any order. We will contact you if all or any portion of your order is canceled or if additional information is required to accept your order. If your order is canceled after your credit card (or other payment account) has been charged, we will issue a credit to your credit card (or other applicable payment account) in the amount of the charge.
14. Quantity Limits and Dealer Sales
PALA reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to limit the quantity of items purchased per person, per household, or per order. These restrictions may be applicable to orders placed by the same account, the same credit card, and also to orders that use the same billing and/or shipping address. We will provide notification to the customer should such limits be applied. Please note that certain orders constitute improper use of PALA and its services. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to refuse or cancel any order for any reason. Your account may also be restricted or terminated for any reason, at our sole discretion. PALA also reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to prohibit sales to dealers or resellers. For purposes of these Terms of Use, reselling shall be defined as purchasing or intending to purchase any product(s) from PALA for the purpose of engaging in a commercial sale of that same product(s) with a third party.
15. Typographical Errors and Incorrect Pricing
In the event a product or service is listed at an incorrect price due to typographical error or error in pricing information received from our suppliers, we shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed for a product or service listed at the incorrect price. We shall have the right to refuse or cancel any such orders whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit or debit card charged. If your credit or debit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, we shall promptly issue a credit to your credit or debit card account in the amount of the incorrect price.
16. Electronic Communications
When you use the Digital Services, or send emails, messages, and other communications from your desktop or mobile device to us, you are communicating with us electronically. You consent to receive communications from us electronically. You agree that (a) all agreements and consents can be signed electronically and (b) all notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such notices and other communications be in writing. PALA and your Provider may contact you by telephone, mail, or email to verify your information. PALA and your Provider may request further information from you and you agree to provide such further information to ensure that you have not fraudulently used the Digital Services. If you do not provide this information in the manner requested within 14 days of the request, we reserve the right to suspend, discontinue, or deny your access to and use of our Digital Services until you provide the information to us as requested.
17. Force Majeure
We will not be deemed to be in breach of these Terms of Use or liable for any breach of these Terms of Use or our Privacy Policy due to any event or occurrence beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, terrorism, war, invasion, failures of any public networks, electrical shortages, earthquakes or floods, civil disorder, pandemics, strikes, fire, or other disaster.
18. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless PALA and any affiliates from and against any and all rights, demands, losses, liabilities, damages, claims, causes of action, actions, and suits (no matter whether at law or equity), fees, costs, and attorney’s fees of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with: (i) your use or misuse of the Digital Services, products, services, or any information posted on the Digital Services; (ii) your breach of the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy; (iii) the content or subject matter of any information you provide to PALA, your Provider, or a customer service agent; or (iv) any negligent or wrongful act or omission by you in your use or misuse of the Digital Services, products, services, or any information on the Digital Services, including without limitation, infringement of third party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or negligent or wrongful conduct.
19. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration Agreement.
We will try to work in good faith to resolve any issue you have with the Digital Services, including products and services ordered or purchased through the Digital Services, if you bring that issue to the attention of our customer service department. However, we realize that there may be rare cases where we may not be able to resolve an issue to a customer’s satisfaction.
You and PALA agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to these Terms of Use or your use of the Digital Services, including products and services ordered or purchased through the Digital Services, shall be determined by binding arbitration instead of in courts of general jurisdiction. Arbitration is more informal than bringing a lawsuit in court. Arbitration uses a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury, and is subject to very limited review by courts. Arbitration allows for more limited discovery than in court, however, we agree to cooperate with each other to agree to reasonable discovery in light of the issues involved and amount of the claim. Arbitrators can award the same damages and relief that a court can award, but in so doing, the arbitrator shall apply substantive law regarding damages as if the matter had been brought in court, including without limitation, the law on punitive damages as applied by the United States Supreme Court. You agree that, by agreeing to these Terms of Use, the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this provision, and that you and PALA are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of these Terms of Use and any other contractual relationship between you and PALA.
If you desire to assert a claim against PALA, and you therefore elect to seek arbitration, you must first send to PAL , by certified mail, a written notice of your claim (“Notice”). The Notice to PALA should be addressed to: , Inc., ATTN: LEGAL NOTICE, 1110 Market Street Suite 210 Chattanooga, TN 37402 (“Notice Address”). If PALA desires to assert a claim against you and therefore elects to seek arbitration, it will send, by certified mail, a written Notice to the most recent address we have on file or otherwise in our records for you. A Notice, whether sent by you or by PALA, must (a) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute; and (b) set forth the specific relief sought (“Demand”). If PALA and you do not reach an agreement to resolve the claim within 30 days after the Notice is received, you or PALA may commence an arbitration proceeding or file a claim in small claims court. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by PALA or you shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator. You may download or copy a form Notice and a form to initiate arbitration from the American Arbitration Association at www.adr.org. If you are required to pay a filing fee, after PALA receives notice at the Notice Address that you have commenced arbitration, it will promptly reimburse you for your payment of the filing fee, unless your claim is for more than US $10,000. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules and the Supplementary Procedures for Consumer Related Disputes (collectively, “AAA Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), as modified by these Terms of Use, and will be administered by the AAA. The AAA Rules and Forms are available online at www.adr.org, by calling the AAA at 1-800-778-7879, or by requesting them from us by writing to us at the Notice Address. The arbitrator is bound by the terms of these Terms of Use. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, including issues relating to the scope and enforceability of these Terms of Use, including this arbitration agreement. Unless PALA and you agree otherwise, any arbitration hearings will take place in the county (or parish) of your billing address. (If you reside outside of the United States, any arbitration hearings will take place in your country of residence at a location reasonably convenient to you, but will remain subject to the AAA Rules including the AAA rules regarding the selection of an arbitrator). If your claim is for US $10,000 or less, we agree that you may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the AAA Rules. If your claim exceeds US $10,000, the right to a hearing will be determined by the AAA Rules. Regardless of the manner in which the arbitration is conducted, the arbitrator shall issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. If the arbitrator issues you an award that is greater than the value of PALA ’s last written settlement offer made before an arbitrator was selected (or if PALA did not make a settlement offer before an arbitrator was selected), then PALA will pay you the amount of the award or US $1,000, whichever is greater. Except as expressly set forth herein, the payment of all filing, administration, and arbitrator fees will be governed by the AAA Rules. Each party shall pay for its own costs and attorneys’ fees, if any. However, if any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party attorneys’ fees, or if there is a written agreement providing for payment or recovery attorneys’ fees, the arbitrator may award reasonable fees to the prevailing party, under the standards for fee shifting provided by law.
YOU AND PALA AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both you and PALA agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims with your claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. The arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party’s individual claim.
If this Agreement to Arbitrate provision is found to be unenforceable, then (a) the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void, but the remaining provisions of these Terms of Use shall remain in full force and effect; and (b) exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any claims will be in state or federal courts located in and for Hamilton County, Tennessee.
20. Revisions; General
PALA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to all or part of these Digital Services, with or without cause, and with or without notice. In the event that any of the Terms of Use are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms of Use shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use constitute the entire agreement between PALA and you pertaining to the subject matter hereof. In its sole discretion, PALA may from time-to-time revise these Terms of Use by updating this posting. You should, therefore, periodically visit this page to review the current Terms of Use, so you are aware of any such revisions to which you are bound. Your continued use of the Digital Services after revisions to these Terms of Use shall constitute your agreement to the revised Terms of Use. Certain provisions of these Terms of Use may be superseded by expressly designated legal notices or terms located on particular pages within these Digital Services.