Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against West Hartford-Based Company

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A Pennsylvania man filed a class action lawsuit early this week against a West Hartford-based energy company, claiming the firm made multiple automated telemarketing calls to his cell phone despite his longtime presence on the national Do Not Call registry.

James Everett Shelton filed the suit against Realgy Energy Services Monday in United States District Court in the District of Connecticut, alleging the calls were in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a law which took effect in 1991 which prohibits companies from calling persons listed on the registry without prior written consent.

Realgy, a choice energy supplier serving more than 10,000 businesses with their electric and natural gas service in six eastern states, has headquarters at 675 Oakwood Ave. in West Hartford.

"Because these calls were transmitted using technology capable of generating thousands of similar calls per day, he sues on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of other persons who received similar calls," the lawsuit states, indicating a class action proceeding which could potentially involve thousands of potential complainants.

Shelton and other potential members of the class are asking for an award of up to $500 in damages for each call made in violation of the statute. The court may award up to $1,500 if the violation was found to be “willful or knowing,” according to the lawsuit.