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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Consumer Watchdog in the courts — lawsuits and legal advocacy holding corporations accountable to consumers.

DirecTV’s Bid To Nix Cancel Fee Action Put On Hold

August 31, 2011 · Mark Reback

Law360, Los Angeles (August 31, 2011) -- A California state judge on Wednesday delayed DirecTV Inc.’s bid to toss a class action alleging inadequate disclosure of early termination fees, waiting on the appeal of a ruling in a similar suit whose claims were found to be immune to waivers.

Insurers’ Critics See Case As A Boost

August 30, 2011 · Mark Reback

Appeals court sides with patient, giving hope to others Health insurance providers can expect new litigation - and pressure from existing litigants - after a federal appellate court decision on Friday said they are responsible for covering mental health treatment on par with care for physical conditions. Multiple lawsuits and a piece of state legislation are already underway to force insurance coverage of treatment for autism, and advocates fighting for that coverage say Friday's ruling brings momentum to their cause.

Parents of Autistic Children Call on the Brown Administration to Comply With State Law and End Coverage Discrimination

July 13, 2011 · Jerry Flanagan

DIRECTV Ripoff Lawsuit, Challenging $480 Cancellation Fee, Moves Forward

April 12, 2011 · Consumer Watchdog

At a hearing on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, DIRECTV customers who were charged cancellation fees of as much as $480 – even if the service...

Fogel v. Farmers Update: How many lawyers does it take…?

March 3, 2011 · Jerry Flanagan

There were twenty-five lawyers in gray suits waiting in a Los Angeles Superior Court courtroom yesterday afternoon when I walked in to try to make...

Farmers Policyholder Granted Right to Challenge $455 Million Settlement of Class Action Against Farmers Insurance

February 3, 2011 · Doug Heller

Los Angeles, CA – A Los Angeles Superior Court this morning granted a former Farmers Insurance customer, represented by Consumer Watchdog’s attorneys, the right to...

California Regulator Erred in Issuing Treatment Memo, State Judge Rules

January 7, 2011 · Mark Reback

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) overstepped its constitutional authority in issuing a memorandum to health insurance companies on how to handle consumer complaints about autism treatment, a state judge ruled Dec. 30 (Consumer Watchdog v. California Department of Managed Health Care, Cal. Super. Ct., No. BS121397, 12/30/10).

Court Slaps Agency Over Autism Regulation

January 5, 2011 · Mark Reback

LOS ANGELES - A Superior Court judge overseeing an unusual consumer lawsuit against state regulators found that a 2009 policy that has allowed health insurance plans to more easily deny coverage for some costly autism therapies constituted an "underground regulation," but has declined to intervene.

Court Ruling Finds Regulator Overstepped On Autism

January 5, 2011 · Mark Reback

Court ruling finds regulator overstepped on memo to insurers about autism treatment complaints

Court Rules That Schwarzenegger Administration Illegally Changed State Policy Regarding Autism Coverage

January 5, 2011 · Jerry Flanagan

On Other Key Issues, Ruling Leaves Autistic Children at Risk; Brown Administration Urged to Take Action A Los Angeles County Superior Court issued a ruling late Monday finding in part that the Schwarzenegger Administration illegally changed state policy relating to autism coverage without following the required public process. However the ruling failed to address key legal issues, including California’s mental health parity law, and leaves children at risk of additional coverage denials for autism treatments, according to Consumer Watchdog.

DirecTV Inc. Settles Misleading-Advertising Complaints

December 16, 2010 · Mark Reback

The satellite TV giant agrees to pay state governments $13.25 million and reimburse customers who claimed the company did not adequately explain price policies. DirecTV Inc. has settled misleading-advertising complaints, agreeing to pay state governments $13.25 million and reimburse customers who claimed the company did not adequately explain price policies.

DirecTV To Pay Millions To Settle Sales, Marketing Complaints

December 16, 2010 · Mark Reback

Satellite television company DirecTV has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement with California and other states in connection with allegations of misleading sales and marketing practices. State Attorney General Jerry Brown said the settlement agreed to by him and 48 other state attorneys general was filed Wednesday in San Diego Superior Court. DirecTV said the settlement involved "all 50 states."