Retina Associates Medical Group, Inc. v. AllianceMed, LLC

Case No. 8:18-cv-01670-JVS-KES

United States District Court Central District of California Southern Division

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Basic Information

  2. What is this Notice about?

    The Court has authorized the posting of the Notice because you have a right to know about a proposed settlement in the class action lawsuit, Retina Associates Medical Group, Inc. v. AllianceMed, LLC, Case No. 8:18-cv-01670-JVS-KES, pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. This lawsuit is based on certain unsolicited fax advertisements that Defendant sent to Settlement Class Members.

    The Notice explains the settlement (including your legal rights), who is a Class Member, the benefit available to Class Members, and how to make a claim for a benefit.

  3. What is this lawsuit about?

    Plaintiff claims that Defendant violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227 (“TCPA”), by sending to Plaintiff and the putative class members unsolicited fax advertisements that did not contain the required opt-out notice and without prior express invitation or permission or an established business relationship. Defendant denies wrongdoing or liability of any kind related to Plaintiff’s claim but has agreed to settle the case solely to avoid the uncertainties, expenses, and time of further litigation.

  4. What is a class action?

    In a class action lawsuit, a person called a “Class Representative” (in this case, Plaintiff Retina Associates) sue on behalf of others, called “Class Members,” who have similar claims. In a class action, one court resolves in one case the claims of all Class Members except for those who exclude themselves from the class. Plaintiff and Defendant have agreed to treat this case as a class action for purposes of this settlement. The Court has agreed for the reasons set forth in the Court’s Preliminary Approval Order available here.

  5. Why is there a settlement in this case?

    The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiff or Defendant. Instead, both sides agreed to a settlement. That way, they avoid the risk and expense of continued litigation and trial, and Class Members who satisfy certain conditions will receive a benefit without the risk that their claims ultimately may be found to lack merit if this case were to proceed through litigation. Plaintiff and Class Counsel believe this settlement is in the best interest of all Class Members.

  6. Who is in the Clas?

  7. How do I know if I am part of the settlement?

    The Court has decided that everyone who fits this description is a Class Member:

    All persons or business entities in the United States who in June 2018, as identified in AllianceMed’s fax transmission records produced as CSV files, were successfully sent through Openfax an unsolicited fax advertisement by or on behalf of AllianceMed, but will exclude the 44 AllianceMed clients as stipulated by the parties.

  8. Are there exceptions to the Settlement Class?

    Yes. The Class does not include Defendant, its employees and agents, and members of the judiciary.

  9. I am still not sure I am included.

    If you are not sure whether you are included, you can get help by calling toll free 1-833-930-1919, emailing Info@MedicalFaxSettlement.com, or writing with questions to:

    AllianceMed TCPA Settlement Administrator
    1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
    Philadelphia, PA 19103

    You can also contact Class Counsel:

    Seth Lehrman
    Edwards Pottinger LLC
    425 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 2
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 3301
    (954) 323-2066
    seth@epllc.com
    Ronald J. Eisenberg
    Schultz & Associates LLP
    640 Cepi Drive, Suite A
    Chesterfield, MO 63005
    (636) 733-6647
    reisenberg@sl-lawyers.com

  10. The Settlement

  11. What benefit is available under the settlement?

    The settlement provides that Defendant shall pay Settlement Benefits totaling $425,000 and, after certain deductions including settlement administration costs and attorneys’ fees, to pay a pro rata share up to $500 to each Class Member who submits a timely and valid claim. If any balance remains thereafter, it shall be distributed to a charitable organization approved by the Court.

  12. Are any payments available now?

    No. The Court has not yet decided whether to approve the settlement. If the Court does not approve the settlement, no payments will be made. If you want to participate in the settlement, however, you must submit the claim form available here by October 4, 2020.

  13. Your Rights and Options

  14. What am I giving up if I stay in the Settlement Class?

    If you stay in the Settlement Class, then you cannot sue Defendant for claims that relate to the use of a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send a facsimile advertisement to Class Members. If the Court finally approves the settlement then you will be bound by the Settlement Agreement.

  15. How can I make a claim?

    To receive payment, you must submit a valid claim form. Your claim form must include all of the required information, must be verified by you, and must be submitted on or before October 4, 2020 2020. You may obtain a claim form online here, then print and mail it to:

    AllianceMed TCPA Settlement Administrator
    1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
    Philadelphia, PA 19103

    or you may submit a claim online.

  16. How can I get out of the Settlement Class?

    To exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you must send a letter to the Claims Administrator at:

    AllianceMed TCPA Settlement Administrator,
    ATTN: Exclusion Request
    P.O. Box 58220
    Philadelphia, PA 19102

    postmarked no later than October 4, 2020. In your letter, you must include your name, address, telephone number, and a written statement that you wish to be excluded from the settlement Class.

  17. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the settlement?

    If you are a Class Member and have not excluded yourself from the Class, you can object to the settlement if you do not agree with any part of it. Your objection should include reasons why you think the Court should not finally approve the settlement, and the Court will consider your views. To object, you must file your written objection with the Court no later than October 4, 2020 and must mail it to Class Counsel and Counsel for Defendant, postmarked no later than October 4, 2020.

    Court Class Counsel Counsel for Defendant
    U.S. District Court
    Central District of California
    411 West 4th Street
    Room 1053
    Santa Ana, CA 92701
    Seth Lehrman
    Edwards Pottinger LLC
    425 North Andrews Ave.
    Suite 2
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
    John W. Leardi
    Buttaci Leardi & Werner, LLC
    212 Carnegie Center
    Suite 202
    Princeton, NJ 08540

    Your objection must be signed by you or your attorney and must include your name, address, and facsimile phone number, state with specificity the grounds for the objection, and include any documentation to support the objection. If you intend to call witnesses at the fairness hearing, you must identify them.

  18. What is the difference between “objecting” and “excluding yourself”?

    Objecting is simply telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Class. If you exclude yourself, you have no basis to object because the settlement no longer affects you.

  19. What happens if I do nothing?

    If you do nothing, you will be included in the Class, but you will not receive any payment. To receive payment, you must submit a timely and valid Claim Form. If you do nothing, once the settlement is finally approved, you will not be able to start, continue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Defendant that relates in any way to the use of use of a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send a facsimile advertisement to Settlement Class Members.

  20. The Court's Final Approval Hearing

  21. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the settlement?

    Class Counsel shall file a motion for final settlement approval within forty-five (45) days of the response deadline. The Court has not yet scheduled a Final Approval Hearing. Please check back regularly for updates. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the settlement should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court will listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing and will make its decisions.

  22. What else will be decided at the Final Approval Hearing?

    At the Final Approval Hearing, Class Counsel will ask the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees up to $127,500 (30% of the $425,000 Settlement Benefits), plus costs and expenses. The Court will also consider Class Counsel’s request for a class representative award of up to $5,000 for Retina Associates for the services it has rendered and the benefit it obtained for the class.

  23. Do I have to come to the hearing?

    Not unless you filed an objection to the settlement. Otherwise, Class Counsel will answer any questions that the Court may have, but you may come to the hearing.

  24. The Lawyers Representing You

  25. Do I have a lawyer in this case?

    The Court appointed Seth Lehrman of Edwards Pottinger LLC and Ronald J. Eisenberg of Schultz & Associates LLP as Class Counsel to represent you should you submit a claim. You do not have to pay Class Counsel.

  26. Should I get my own lawyer?

    Class Counsel will represent you if you choose to stay in the Class. You may retain your own lawyer if you want someone other than Class Counsel to represent you, but you will be responsible for paying that lawyer. You are not required to pay Class Counsel. If you ask to be excluded from the Class, Class Counsel will not represent you. If you want a lawyer to represent you with respect to any claim you may have, then you will be required to pay that lawyer.

  27. How will and when will Class Counsel be paid?

    If the settlement is finally approved, Class Counsel will be paid their attorneys’ fees, expenses, and costs from the Settlement Benefits in this case. Class Counsel will file a motion asking the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees, expenses, and costs as explained in FAQ 17 above. Class Counsel will not seek to be paid before the Class is paid.

  28. Getting More Information

  29. Where can I find more details about the settlement?

    If you have questions about the settlement, write to Class Counsel at the address in FAQ 7. Include the case number, your name, your fax number, and your current street address on any correspondence. Alternatively, you can call Class Counsel Seth Lehrman at (954) 323-2066 or Ronald J. Eisenberg at (636) 733-6647. You may also contact the AllianceMed TCPA Settlement Administrator at 1-833-930-1919 or by email at Info@MedicalFaxSettlement.com

PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR DIRECT ANY INQUIRIES TO DEFENDANT.