NEW ORLEANS — A Livingston client is suing a Louisiana law firm, demanding immediate payment of up to $1,000.
John Donahoe, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a class action lawsuit May 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Stanley Christian Kottemann Jr. & Associates, alleging violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
According to the complaint, on March 17, 2014, Donahoe was rushed to the emergency room and one of his medical services providers was Professional Emergency Physicians Group (PEPG). The suit says the group failed to submit his medical records to the Veterans Administration for reimbursement.
The complaint states Donahoe immediately obtained copies of his medical records and provided them to the VA for processing, and the VA has not denied PEPG's claim.
On March 8, 2016, the lawsuit states, Donahoe received an initial collection letter from defendant in the attempt to collect a medical debt, leading to actual damages.
The plaintiff alleges the defendant did not explain the relationship between the demand for immediate payment and the 30-day period in which the consumer can dispute and request verification and did not disclose that no attorney had meaningfully reviewed Donahoe's account.
Donahoe seeks a trial by jury, statutory damages of up to $1,000, attorney fees, costs and expenses, and any other relief the court deems appropriate. He is represented by attorney Keren E. Gesund of Gesund and Pailet LLC in Metairie.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-04716