Category Archives: Class Action Litigation

A Largo, Florida couple that sued the IRS last week after they became the victims of identity theft received their refund check, the same day they did media interviews discussing their situation.

“Is that unbelievable?” said Jay Gordon, after they found the $2,570 they had been fighting for in their bank account.

Hoping to get class-action status, the couple sued the IRS on December 28. With the growing number of Florida residents who are becoming victims of identity theft, the Gordon’s might have gotten the status they sought.

Now that they have their money, though, they no longer feel the lawsuit is necessary for them. “We got what we wanted,” Jay Gordon said.

Clearwater attorney James Staack wants to keep the lawsuit going because there are other victims, and is investigating his legal options for doing so.  He hopes to find a new plaintiff.

The large response received by The Tampa Tribune and Staack after the Gordon’s story was published last week indicate the attorney should have no trouble finding what he seeks.

Jay Gordon is uncertain whether the interviews he and his wife did had anything to do with the timing of their payment, but is grateful that it arrived.

Sarelson Law Firm – Miami class action lawyers

Delta Airlines is facing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of customers who arrived at their destination without their baggage. According to the lawsuit, Delta has a policy of telling customers they are only entitled to $25 to $50 in daily expenses. This is in spite of a “contract of carriage”, which applies to all airlines, entitling passengers to be paid up to $3,300 for expenses.

Susan Miller is the plaintiff who filed the class action against Delta. Miller’s bag was delayed during a trip she took from Florida to Las Vegas. Miller said she went out and “bought her essentials.” When Miller asked Delta to reimburse her expenses, Delta refused.

Miller’s attorney, John Mattes, said, “The policy of not being upfront with passengers about their rights is system-wide.”

The lawsuit asserts that Delta places small signs in out of the way places displaying the legal notices of terms of contract of carriage, knowing that passengers will not notice the signs and will not understand the meaning of “contract of carriage” even if they do see the signs.

It is unlikely that many people are aware of the amount an airline can pay out for customer expenses when baggage is delayed. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of this class-action lawsuit.

Sarelson Law Firm – Miami class action lawyers