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- Blackstone Medical Services Alleged Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) Violations
Steidinger et al. v. Blackstone Medical Services, LLC
Case Information
- Case Number: 1:24-cv-01074
- Case Status: In Progress
- Court: United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
- Filed: April 5, 2024
This class-action lawsuit alleges that Blackstone Medical Services, LLC violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act (FTSA) by repeatedly sending unauthorized telemarketing messages and calls, even after recipients requested to stop the communications.
Key Allegations
The lawsuit outlines significant violations by Blackstone Medical Services, including:
- Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls and Text Messages:
- Blackstone allegedly sent numerous telemarketing messages to consumers without prior express consent, often targeting individuals whose numbers were listed on the National Do-Not-Call Registry.
- Plaintiffs reported receiving persistent messages promoting home sleep tests, despite explicitly requesting Blackstone to cease communications.
- Failure to Honor “STOP” Requests:
- Despite multiple requests by the plaintiffs to stop receiving messages, Blackstone continued its telemarketing efforts, even texting from alternate phone numbers to circumvent blocking attempts.
- For example, Plaintiff Koller received no fewer than 35 additional messages after initially replying “STOP.”
- Non-Compliance with Telemarketing Rules:
- Blackstone failed to provide an opt-out mechanism in its text messages, as required by federal regulations.
- The company did not honor consumer do-not-call requests or maintain a compliant internal do-not-call policy.
- Aggressive and Harassing Behavior:
- Consumers have reported similar experiences, describing the company’s telemarketing practices as relentless and intrusive.
Relief Sought
The plaintiffs seek several remedies to address the alleged violations:
- Statutory Damages:
- $500 per unsolicited message or call.
- Up to $1,500 per violation if deemed willful or knowing.
- Injunctive Relief: Prohibit Blackstone from engaging in similar telemarketing practices in the future.
- Attorney’s Fees and Costs: Coverage for legal expenses incurred during the litigation.