Status Update
As of 7/28/10
The Claims Administrator has processed a number of claims and has begun sending
refund checks to class members for the UUT information that has been verified. Payments
were determined using the various utility companies’ tax data. Claimants will be
notified by mail if they listed utilities on their claim form(s) for which no tax
data was recovered. If one or more of the Utilities specified on your claim form
were rejected due to inaccurate or incomplete information, you also will be notified
of this rejection by mail. Class members will have 45 days from the date of a rejection
letter to amend their claim with more accurate/complete information.
IF YOU RECEIVED A CHECK ISSUED TO A DECEASED CLAIMANT OR TO HIS/HER ESTATE,
and you are the successor of the Decedent or the executor/administrator of the Decedent’s
estate, you may complete and submit a Beneficiary Declaration and Release form. The form
can be obtained by clicking on the link or selecting the “Deceased Declaration”
option from the menu to the left. This form will indicate to the Claims Administrator
that you are entitled to act on behalf of the Decedent or the estate, and that you
are entitled to receive the sum due to Decedent pursuant to this Settlement. You
will need to submit a certified copy of the Decedent’s death certificate along with
the completed Beneficiary Declaration and Release. Once the Claims Administrator
has received and processed your Beneficiary Declaration and Release form, we can
proceed to re-issue the check per your instructions.
Do not submit current utility bills; current bills do not reflect the UUT
paid during the Class Period of February 16, 2004 through November 4, 2008. In order
to be considered, your documentation must show that the UUT was paid during the
Class Period.
If you have contacted your utility company for documentation, and the utility company
has indicated that more time will be needed to produce the information you requested,
your deadline shall be extended by an additional 45 days (i.e., for a total of 90
days from the date of the letter). Such an extension will only be granted in cases
where class members have been unable to timely procure documentation from their
utility companies. If the documents are already in your possession, you must comply
with the 45-day deadline.
If any of the Utilities listed on your claim form are rejected, it does NOT impact
any other Utilities listed because each Utility is being reviewed separately. You
may receive payments for some Utilities, and/or a letter requesting more information
for others.
NOTE: UUT only applies to electricity, gas and telephone charges -- bills for other
utilities (i.e. trash, cable, internet) are not subject to UUT and should not be
resubmitted.
UUT’s that were paid to the City of Los Angeles or any taxing entity that is not
the County of Los Angeles are not the subject of this lawsuit and are not a basis
to receive refunds.
If you have moved since you submitted your claim form, you should notify the Claims
Administrator of your change of address by writing to:
Oronoz v. County of Los Angeles Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 9426
Minneapolis, MN 55440-9426
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If you paid bills for the use of telephone, electricity or gas in the unincorporated
areas of Los Angeles County at any time since February 16, 2004, you could get a
refund from a Class Action Settlement.
The Settlement provides refunds, and other benefits, to individuals and businesses
that paid the Los Angeles County Utility User Tax ("UUT") between February 16, 2004
and November 4, 2008. The UUT is collected from residents in the unincorporated
areas of Los Angeles County in connection with their telephone, electricity and
gas bills. You may qualify if you:
- Paid bills for the use of telephone, electricity or gas in Los Angeles
County at any time between February 16, 2004 and November 4, 2008, that included
a UUT charge; and
- Submit a Claim Form authorizing your current and past utility providers
to provide us with information necessary to determine your eligibility and the amount
of refund to which you may be entitled.
Your legal rights will be affected, and you have a choice to make now.
This website explains your legal rights and options, and when you must act to exercise
them.
This website provides the following information:
- Frequently Asked Questions click here
- Notice of Settlement and Class Certification
click here
- Notificación de Acuerdo y Certificación de Clase haga
clic aquí
- Download a Claim Form the deadline has passed
- Court Documents click here
- Exclusion Request Form - deadline for exclusion has passed
- Rescission of Exclusion Request Form Recission of Exclusion deadline
has passed
- Map and Locations of Unincorporated Areas of Los Angeles
click here
- Contact Information click here
Important Deadlines:
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SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM
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April 14, 2009 Filing Deadline Has Passed
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EXCLUDE YOURSELF
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February 20, 2009 Exclusion Deadline Has Passed
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OBJECT
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February 20, 2009 Objection Deadline Has Passed
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GO TO A HEARING
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Fairness Hearing was held on March 13, 2009
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For information call 1-866-783-5877 toll free
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