Attorney General Steve Marshall speaks at First Friday Forum

By Melanie LeCroy / melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 6/16/21

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was the guest speaker at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s First Friday Forum June 4. Marshall spoke to the crowd regarding the various hats he …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Attorney General Steve Marshall speaks at First Friday Forum

Posted

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was the guest speaker at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s First Friday Forum June 4. Marshall spoke to the crowd regarding the various hats he wears as attorney general.

“One of the roles you don’t really consider with the attorney general’s office and frankly with the local district attorney, is that not only do we have a criminal justice role, but we have a consumer protection role,” Marshall said.

Marshall spoke about the work his office is doing regarding opioids and trying to get a recovery for the state to deal with the opioid crisis that Alabama’s faces.

The attorney general’s office late last year recovered the largest consumer settlement in the history of Alabama from Terminix. According to Marshall the $60 million settlement is being invested back to Alabama consumers.

“With this settlement, one of the things we have been able to do is create a $25 million consumer fund that goes to both Terminix existing customers as well as those that are former customers to be able to provide for retreatment for homes for Terminix customers along the Gulf Coast,” Marshall said.

According to a news release from his office on Nov. 5 2020, Terminix entered into a $60 million settlement with the State of Alabama to include:

  • $25 million for Alabama Consumer Relief Fund for the payment of refunds to consumers who were overcharged by Terminix and those consumers who were forced to pay other termite control companies money for services they should have received from Terminix. Per the terms of the agreement and pending court approval, this claims process will be set up in the coming months at which time the attorney general will announce how claims are to be made by consumers.
  • Refunds to consumers of any unconscionable price increase paid by consumers in termite protection premiums in 2019 and 2020. This mandate requires Terminix to pay millions of dollars in refunds to thousands of Alabama consumers.
  • $650 to any Alabama consumer who left Terminix and hired another company to provide termite protection or pay the difference in the former customer’s new termite protection costs and their previous termite protection costs.
  • New, competent, and complete inspections of homes in the areas affected by Formosan termites to ensure no termite infestation problems still exist, and Terminix will be repairing all termite damage claims in the affected areas.
  • $20 million to the attorney general’s office to settle the state of Alabama’s claims against Terminix and to be reinvested in statewide consumer protection efforts.
  • $4 million to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
  • $1 million charitable contribution to the Auburn University Department of Entomology.

Marshall encouraged those in attendance that have been a Terminix customer to file a claim at terminixfund.com. The deadline to submit, July 15 2021, is fast approaching. Past and current customers are encouraged to file a claim.

“We are really pleased that right now, our response rate is about 45% of existing Terminix customers and a little bit more than that for former customers,” Marshall continued. “The reality is that money is there for the benefit of Alabama consumers and we want to make sure everybody that is entitled to that money has an opportunity to get it.”

If you are an existing or former Terminix customer, you may be entitled to a refund or other relief if you complete and submit the claim form to the court-appointed receiver. Visit terminixfund.com and file a claim before the July 15, 2021, deadline.