Sprint is getting sued over Auto-Dialer

Subject to Court approval, a proposed Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Sprint Solutions, Inc. (“Sprint”). The case is known as Sandra L. Palmer v. Sprint Solutions, Inc., U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (“Court”), No. 09-cv-01211-JLR.

Who is a Class Member?
You may be a Class Member if, you were an individual Sprint customer, on or after July 23, 2005 through June 13, 2011 who while a customer received a commercial telephone solicitation call from Sprint when you either: (a) lived in Washington State and were called using an automatic dialing and announcing device; (b) lived in Washington State and were called less than one year after asking not to receive Sprint solicitation calls; or (c) lived in the U.S. and were called more than 30 days after you asked not to receive Sprint solicitation calls. The class exists only as a part of the Settlement. If the Settlement is not ultimately approved by the Court, the class will no longer exist. The litigation between Ms. Palmer and Sprint will return to the way it was before the Settlement.

What are the benefits?
Sprint has agreed to pay $5.5 million into a Settlement Fund (“Fund”). Eligible Class Members with qualified claims will receive a percentage share of money, out of the Settlement Fund, based on the number of valid and timely claims, as described in further detail in the Settlement Agreement. Settlement benefits range from $100-$500 per call up to $400-$2,000 for each category, with a maximum not to exceed $4,400, but you may receive less after deductions from the Fund and percentage reductions depending on the number of qualified claims. It is not possible to predict how much money you will get until all claims have been submitted and after other deductions from the Fund as described below. Detailed information about the Settlement benefits can be obtained by calling the toll-free number or visiting the website on back. Sprint has also agreed to replace its current pre-recorded message, heard when a consumer calls the telephone number provided in a pre-recorded identification message with an agreed version.

What are your rights?
If eligible, you may get money. Submit a Claim Form postmarked or filed online by November 21, 2011, to Palmer Solicitation Call Settlement, c/o GCG, Inc., P.O. Box 9713, Dublin, OH 43017-5613.

Exclude yourself from the lawsuit and keep your individual right to sue Sprint, by sending a written request for exclusion to the Claims Administrator postmarked by September 21, 2011. If you do not exclude yourself, you will be bound by the terms of the Settlement and lose your right to sue regarding the settled claims. You may speak to your own attorney at your own expense for help.

Do not exclude yourself. You or your lawyer has the right to appear before the Court and object to the Settlement including the request for attorneys’ fees at your expense. Written objections must be filed and received by September 21, 2011. You will be bound by the terms of the Settlement even if your objection is rejected.

Do nothing. You will not receive money and will lose the right to sue regarding the settled claims. You will be considered part of the Settlement Class, and bound by the Court’s decisions.

The Court will determine whether to approve the Settlement at a Fairness Hearing on October 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Class Counsel will also request that the Court approve their attorneys’ fees and costs in an amount not to exceed 30% of the Fund (or $1,650,000) as well as a service award to the Class Representative of $20,000. Class counsel shall file with the Court and post to the website their motion for approval of their fees and the Class Representative fee no later than August 22, 2011. All of these amounts will be paid from the Fund, along with the costs of notice and administration. You may ask to appear at the hearing, but you don’t have to.

Who represents you?
The Court has appointed Williamson & Williams as Class Counsel.

This is a summary. Please visit the web site below, or call the toll free number,
for more information.

www.PalmerSolicitationCallSettlement.com      1-800-465-4481

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