Have you found yourself in a disagreement with Verizon because they owe you a refund, or have overcharged your account? Don't fret. You have many options to get justice (including suing in small claims court). This article will help you understand what options you have for recourse and offer some insight into the following:
- Common Types of lawsuits against Verizon.
- What to do before suing Verizon
- Explore the Costs to sue Verizon in small claims
- Understand the amounts you can sue Verizon for
- Explain How to file a small claims lawsuit against Verizon.
The Most Common Types of Lawsuits against Verizon
Many folks email us with questions about suing Verizon. The most frequently asked question boils down to "Can I sue Verizon in Small Claims Court?"
The answer is yes, you can as long as you follow the rules of the courthouse where you plan to file. Small Claims courts often have a maximum claim amount of $10,000 or less, so it's important to ensure your complaint fits within that limit.
Some examples of small claims lawsuits against Verizon are:
- Failure to Refund
- You accidentally make a purchase or believe there was one fraudulently assigned to your account.
- Unexpected Charges
- Or, perhaps Verizon charged you an unexpected fee that they say you now have to pay
What To Do Before Suing Verizon
It's important to contact any person or company you plan on suing to see if you can amicably solve the issue prior to moving forward with the suit. Many small claims (and other) courts require you to give notice through the use of a demand letter, but it's also best practice to notify the other party because they may want to quickly solve the problem for you. Lawsuits can take weeks, or even months to resolve and you may find it takes longer to collect on your judgment. The steps below might help you reach a positive outcome faster:
- Contact Verizon's Customer Service: Call Verizon's customer service phone number - 1(800) 837-4966 and ask them to fix your problem.
- Contact Verizon on Twitter: Some companies respond to Twitter complaints faster than their own support lines. Here is Verizon's Twitter handle:@Verizon
- Consider filing a complaint with the BBB against Verizon: The Better Business Bureau may be able to help you with your complaint against Verizon.
- Send a Demand Letter - A demand letter is a letter that outlines a set of requests. A small claims court is most likely going to ask you to formally request your money or property back before you can file a lawsuit. While you can request your money or property back orally, it is best practice to do so in the writing of a demand letter.
What goes into a Demand Letter:
If you are unsure of what to include in your demand letter to Verizon, don't worry. You will want to include the following:
- How much money you are owed
- Why you are owed money
- Your contact information
- Where to send payment
- Give them a few days to respond (usually about 7 to 14 days)
- State that if they don't respond, you intend to sue
You will want to mail the letter to Verizon to their resolution manager in order to give them the best chance at fixing the problem.
Verizon Dispute Resolution Manager - OneVerizon Way, VC54N090, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
You can generate and submit a letter through Dispute's platform in 5 minutes from your phone or computer.
How Much Does it Cost to Sue Verizon in Small Claims Court?
If Verizon ignores your demand letter, what is the next step? You may consider suing Verizon in a small claims court.
Your first step will be to review any contracts you have received from Verizon. Here are Verizon's terms of service which often dictate what legal options you have agreed to pursue in case of disagreement between you and the company.
The next step is understanding the fees you can expect. Primarily, those are court filing fees. The amount you will pay to file a small claims lawsuit in small claims court depends on how much you are suing Verizon for. You can pay between $30 to $400 to file the lawsuit depending upon the state and local county where you are filing. If you cannot afford to pay court fees, you can ask the court directly to waive the fees.
Once the lawsuit is filed, you must notify Verizon that you have sued them. This is called "serving." Serving Costs can range from $0-$75 depending upon if you hire local law enforcement or a private process server.
It's important to remember, if you win your case, you can also request that Verizon pay for your court fees and serving costs.
How Much Can I Sue Verizon for in Small Claims Court?
In most small claims courts, you can sue Verizon for a maximum of $10,000. But it all depends on the limits set by the court where you plan to file.
By suing in small claims you are agreeing to waive any amount over the maximum amount you can sue for, even if you are owed more. For example, if Verizon owes you $11,000, and you decide to sue in small claims, you are waiving suing for an additional $1,000. Meaning that you will win a maximum of $10,000.
While you may be missing out on the full amount you are owed, there are practical benefits to suing in small claims instead of suing in civil court:
Here are some of the benefits:
- Court filing fees are cheaper in small claims than in other courts.
- The process is faster in small claims than in other courts as your hearing will usually be scheduled 30-70 days after you file the lawsuit.
- Lawyers are generally not allowed in small claims which helps keep the costs of suing low.
How Do I File a Small Claims Lawsuit against Verizon?
Step 1: Complete the Necessary Legal Forms to File
After sending your demand letter, you’ll want to file a statement of claim. This is the official state small claims form. For this form, you'll need the following information:
- The courthouse you’d like to file in
- Reason for the lawsuit
- Claim amount ($)
- Name and address of the person/business that is being sued
If you are using a business such as Verizon, you will want to look up their certificate of doing business. Make sure you fill out the form corresponding to their company's county.
Small Claims forms can be difficult, and mistakes prevent your case from successfully filing. Experts at Dispute file paperwork daily, and a full support team can help you find answers to your questions. Check out our package options for filing with us - you can choose different services based on your budget and needs.
Step 2: Serve the Defendant
Once your claim has been approved by the court, you are required by law to notify the defendant that you're suing them. Different courthouses have different regulations regarding defendant service. Some require service through mail, while you may need to find a private process server for others.
Other courts require the defendant to "answer” the claim and wait for that answer before deciding to hold a hearing. Contact your courthouse for their rules to better understand what you expect.
Step 3: Prepare for Court
You can take a few steps when preparing for your day in court.
- Gather evidence
- Prepare witnesses, if you have any
- Dress appropriately
- Show up on time
- Present your Case
After you and the other party present your case, the court will provide a ruling. The last step is collecting your money if you are fortunate and the judge rules in your favor.
Good luck with your case, and please contact us if you have any questions about our services.
