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Wellington Ranch Class Action Lawsuit | Phillips Law Group

flowers on chairs at outside weddingPhillips Law Group is investigating a class or collective action against Norman and Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch over allegations of consumer fraud. Specifically, it has been alleged that Norman and Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch have committed consumer fraud by taking advantage of happy couples and fraudulently denying proper refunds.

If you believe you are a victim of fraud committed by Norman and Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch, you may be eligible to claim financial compensation for your losses. Our Wellington Ranch consumer fraud attorneys understand the difficulties fraud victims can face when trying to recover refunds.

Our founder Jeff Phillips and his firms have helped more than 155,000 consumer clients over nearly three decades. Phillips is also a Leaders Forum member of the American Association for Justice.

Phillips Law Group is a trusted Arizona law firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. The initial consultation is free and there are no fees while working on your case.

We are here to help. Call 1-800-706-3000 today.

Do I Have a Valid Claim?

This is a question that should be discussed with a licensed attorney, as there are many factors to consider. That said, if you cancelled your wedding at Wellington Ranch after being told by the venue you would need to reschedule or limit the event to 15 guests, and you were denied a full refund, you may have a valid claim. You should strongly consider meeting with a licensed attorney to discuss potential legal action.

There is no financial risk in meeting with us as there are no upfront fees or legal obligations. If you have a valid case and would like to proceed, we are prepared to mange the legal process on your behalf. We are committed to our clients’ best interests and holding at-fault parties accountable.

We have been assisting residents of Arizona for nearly 30 years and have secured more than $1 billion in compensation on behalf of our clients.

Have questions? Give us a call for assistance. 1-800-706-3000

What is Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch Claiming?

While the Wellington Ranch is owned by the Wellington Family, it is located within the Gila River Indian Community. On August 6, 2021, the Gila River Native American Tribe put out a comprehensive executive order about the coronavirus pandemic. Lorraine Wellington points to the fifth code of this executive order stating:

with the exception of meetings of elected and appointed officials, all gatherings on the Community’s Reservation of more than fifteen (15) persons are prohibited, until further notice, unless specifically approved in writing in advance by the Executive Office.”

Due to this executive order, Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch reached out to multiple brides and cited line 11 of their event contracts, which stated:

Should the governing laws deem that there is a stay-at-home order or limited number of guests on your event day, clients will comply with the order and have the option to:

  • Proceed with the limited number of Guests.
  • Reschedule the event at a later available date.
  • Client may cancel event and receive 50 percent refund of all venue fees received.

How did Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch Potentially Engage in Consumer Fraud?

Contradictory to the above stated executive order and contract Lorraine Wellington is enforcing, line eight of the contract states that:

“Cancelation must be received in writing or email. If the event is canceled at any time for any reason by client prior to the event, 50 percent of the event fee and/or all payments received will be refunded (less the non-refundable fee).”

Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch may have engaged in consumer fraud by wrongfully withholding funds from unhappy couples by contradicting a fraudulent and misleading contract created to swindle happy couples out of hard-earned money.

Why the Gila River Native American Tribe Comprehensive Executive Order Matters

According to the Gila River Native American Tribe comprehensive executive order, consumer fraud could be classified as price gouging and fall under code six of the order:

“price gouging is unlawful on the Gila River Indian Reservation. GRIC Code Section 13.209 provides that “unconscionable and other unfair business practices” are grounds for the revocation of a business license. Individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging in the Community are subject to a revocation of their business licenses and non-members will be subject to exclusion from the Community under GRIC Code Section 8.101(C), which prohibits unfair business practices. I hereby direct law enforcement to fully and vigorously enforce these laws on the Gila River Indian Reservation to ensure that no business takes undue advantage of the COVID-I9 Pandemic.”

What is a Consumer Fraud Class Action?

Consumer fraud refers to possible deceptive practices that a business may take including deceptive labeling, misleading advertising, contradicting contract adherences, financial scams or any other conduct that usually results in financial or other losses for the consumer.

In a consumer fraud class action claim, one or more consumers who have been subjected to fraud file a lawsuit on behalf of others who may have had a similar experience. When a class action lawsuit is filed, the victims that step forward are called class representatives.

A class action lawsuit has the potential to achieve justice for many people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to secure justice. Without the benefit of a class action, many claims against companies and their bad habits are far too expensive for one individual consumer to pursue on their own.

A consumer class action lawsuit is much more than the average notification or complaints business get in the mail. Class actions are a powerful tool created to provide monetary relief to consumers who may have experienced harm due to false advertising or faulty services. Beyond protecting individual consumers against a single business, class actions can cause major changes and end fraudulent business practices that may have otherwise gone unchallenged.

At Phillips Law Group, our team of dedicated attorneys have a proven track record of prosecuting consumer fraud claims.

How do Consumer Fraud Class Action Lawsuits Work?

A consumer class action lawsuit can be brought by one person on behalf of a group of people that have been harmed in the same way.

It may seem daunting to think about standing alone against a large company that may have harmed you through consumer fraud. However, when you represent a group of people who have experienced similar harm, you may be much more likely to have a successful outcome.

The economic harm each person experiences does not have to be a significant amount to warrant a lawsuit, provided enough people experienced a loss. For instance, if a million people each lost only one dollar due to a company’s false advertising, the harm totals one million dollars.

What is the Consumer Protection Act?

In 1967, the Consumer Protection Act was enacted to replace the previous guiding principal of caveat emptor (buyer beware). This was a big win for consumers because previously the assumption was that people and companies selling products could and would do anything to get you to buy their products or services, including lie to you.

Today the Consumer Protection Act prohibits businesses from engaging in fraudulent business practices, but unfortunately not every company is truthful about its business practices. This is important because actions by Norman and Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch, including potentially lying to couples to withhold refunds could be considered consumer fraud.

Call Phillips Law Group to Discuss Potential Legal Options

If you believe you were a victim of consumer fraud by Norman and Lorraine Wellington and Wellington Ranch, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a consumer fraud class action lawsuit.

It is in your best interest to contact an experienced class action attorney who is committed to defending your claim and acting in your best interest. Your attorney can act as your advocate during the claims process and work to ensure you are treated fairly and pursue full compensation.

To discuss your claim with an experienced lawyer in Phoenix, contact Phillips Law Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are prepared to review the circumstances behind your consumer fraud claim and how it has affected your life to help you determine if you may have a valid case.

Phillips Law Group. Licensed. Local. Lawyers. 1-800-706-3000