In May of 2024, Judge Garrett in Jackson County, Missouri certified a class and appointed Bell Law as class counsel against a debt collection law firm based in Kansas. The law firm is accused of improperly disclosing sensitive personal information of customers in public records.
In 2024, the firm reached a $1.9 Million settlement with Del Hedgepath, doing business as Del Properties. The list of properties included the Normandy Apartments. As part of the settlement, Normandy residents over the last five years will receive compensation for the substandard living conditions. Other parts of the settlement require Del Hedgepath to refund money related to the unwarranted termination of residential leases and collection of security deposits.
In 2023, after exhausting appeals to the Supreme Court of the United States, a $39.55 Million settlement against the Monsanto Company was finalized and paid to class members. The nationwide company produced, marketed, and sold various Roundup Products with the false statement that Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, targeted an enzyme that was not found in people or pets. Bell Law acted as liaison counsel, with the Richman Law Group and Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, P.C. acting as co-leads.
Jones v. Monsanto Co., No. 19-0102-CV-W-BP, 2021 WL 2426126, at *3 (W.D. Mo. May 13, 2021), aff’d 38 F.4th693 (8th Cir. 2022).
In 2019, the firm reached a $5 Million settlement with Wells Fargo for violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Led by lead plaintiff Jin Nakamura, Wells Fargo was accused of repossessing service members’ cars without the provision of a court order, and in violation of the SCRA. The case was approved by Judge Crabtree in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
Nakamura v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 17-cv-4029-DDC-GEB, 2019 WL 2193785, at *2 (D. Kan. May 21, 2019).
In March of 2024, a preliminary settlement with UnitedLex Corporation was reached related to a data breach in early 2023. UnitedLex was accused of compromising sensitive employee data and failing to properly notify its employees as result of a hack. The settlement is expected to be presented to Judge Crabtree for preliminary approval in May of 2024.
The case is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Case No. 2:23-CV-02443-DDC-TJJ.
In 2024, after certifying a class of tenants and being appointed class counsel, Bell Law negotiated a $4.6 Million settlement with the management and ownership of Cross-Lines Retirement Center in Kansas City, Kansas. As part of the settlement, the facility specializing in assisting elderly and disabled tenants will also receive funding for improved pest control and be required to retain top pest control providers for a period of three years. As of April 26th, the settlement received preliminary approval from Chief US District Court Judge Eric Melgren for the District of Kansas.
In 2021, the firm reached a series of settlements totaling nearly $2.5 Million against the former and current ownership and management of Central Park Towers. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, over 95 former tenants residing at Central Park Towers received compensation for the substandard living conditions which included mold, rodents, and a significant bed bug infestation that was never properly treated. In addition, the settlement paved the way for a change in ownership and a planned $10 Million renovation for the building.
In 2019, the firm reached a settlement with Xceligent, Inc., a provider of commercial real estate information, regarding the breach of their employees’ personally identifiable information with total benefits exceeding $1.5 Million.
Borchers v. Xceligent, Inc., Case No. 1716-cv08149 (Jackson County, Missouri).
