Consumer Watchdog Announces Settlement in State Farm Insurance Rate Case Saving California Consumers Approximately $530 Million

Seeking Refunds for Inflating Gas Prices

Judge Denies Lara’s CDI and State Farm’s Attempt to Move Rate Case Pre-Hearings Behind Closed Doors

Consumer Watchdog's Legal Project attorneys advocate for consumers' rights and hold corporations and government officials accountable in federal and state courts and before regulatory agencies.

The Legal Project specializes in highly complex litigation, including class actions in federal and state courts, to address healthcare, civil rights, government accountability, and abuses in the marketplace such as illegal overcharges, false advertising, and violations of consumer protection laws.

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In The Courtroom

How Boeing Blocked a Nuclear and Chemical Cleanup in LA’s Backyard

June 5, 2014 · Mark Reback

In 1979, a nuclear power reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania suffered a partial meltdown. There was widespread anxiety nationwide. As a reporter at KNBC, Channel 4, I reported that a similar accident, a much smaller research reactor in the Santa Suzanna Mountains, had occurred 20 years earlier — near Los Angeles. Now, all these years later — after decades of studies, reports and regulatory hearings by state and federal agencies, the radioactive residue from that accident has not been completely cleaned up.

Group Says Boeing Influenced State To Weaken Field Lab Cleanup

June 5, 2014 · Mark Reback

A consumer group charged Thursday that Boeing lobbyists persuaded the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to abandon a planned full cleanup of Boeing’s portion of the Santa Susana Field Lab, site of a 1959 partial nuclear meltdown.

Report: Ex-Calif. Regulators Helped Boeing Derail Santa Susana Cleanup

June 5, 2014 · Mark Reback

SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Former state regulators allegedly helped officials with Boeing derail the cleanup of a partial nuclear meltdown site in Simi Valley, according to a new report.

New Report Exposes Boeing Influence Peddling That Derailed Cleanup of a Partial Nuclear Meltdown Site Near L.A.

June 5, 2014 · Liza Tucker

A new report released by Consumer Watchdog today documents how Boeing and its influential fixers derailed the cleanup of a partial nuclear meltdown site in greater Los Angeles with help from their regulators at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

Inside Job: How Boeing Fixers Captured Regulators And Derailed A Nuclear And Chemical Cleanup in LA’s Backyard

June 4, 2014 · Liza Tucker

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has been a historically troubled agency, far too often failing to effectively fulfill its mission of protecting...

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to Reject Proposed Hyundai/Kia MPG Settlement

June 4, 2014 · Mark Reback

A class action settlement negotiated by Hyundai and Kia following the companies’ 2012 admission that they low-balled fuel economy numbers for over a dozen 2011–2013...

Kia, Hyundai Customers Object To Fuel-Economy Settlement

June 3, 2014 · Mark Reback

Law360, New York (June 02, 2014, 2:11 PM ET) -- Dissident class members on Friday attacked a settlement resolving accusations that Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America overstated the fuel efficiency of more than 900,000 vehicles, saying the deal’s claims-made structure will unjustly curtail customer payouts.

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to Reject Proposed Hyundai/Kia MPG Class Action Settlement

June 3, 2014 · Harvey Rosenfield

A class action settlement negotiated by Hyundai and Kia following the companies’ 2012 admission that they lowballed fuel economy numbers for over a dozen 2011–2013 vehicles is structured to prevent consumers from collecting the money they are owed and should be rejected, consumer advocates told a federal court.

Attorneys Object To Proposed Settlement in Hyundai, Kia MPG Claims

June 2, 2014 · Mark Reback

Several law firms are objecting to the proposed settlement of a class-action suit seeking damages for the inflated fuel economy claims of South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia. The attorneys said the settlement is designed to discourage owners of the vehicles from filing claims and then allows the automakers to keep any uncollected money.

Class Action Waiver Renders Arbitration Clause In DIRECTV’s Customer Agreement Unenforceable

May 15, 2014 · Mark Reback

Imburgia v. DIRECTV Inc., No. B239361 (Cal. Ct. App. Apr. 7, 2014)

KABC TV-7 Los Angeles – Does A DirecTV AT&T Merger Mean Less Choice For Customers?

May 1, 2014 · ConsumerWatchdog

AT&T has approached DirecTV the largest satellite TV provider in the United States about an acquisition. Will this mean bad deals and less choice for the customer? KABC Los Angeles asks what could happen, if another monopoly is allowed to go through.

Court Expands Coverage For Autism Treatment

April 25, 2014 · Mark Reback

Costly ‘applied behavioral analysis’ must be provided by insurers, panel says In a case that’s drawn the attention of medical professionals in California, a state...