Welcome to the Arhaus Howard’s Towing Settlement Website
A settlement has been proposed to resolve a lawsuit against Howard’s Towing and Recovery, LLC, Howard Szuminsky (collectively “Howard’s Towing”), and Arhaus, LLC (“Arhaus,”) (collectively with Howard’s Towing, “Defendants”) brought by Alan Jones and Richard Gross (“Plaintiffs” or “Class Representatives”), on behalf of themselves and all persons similarly situated. The lawsuit, referred to as Jones et al. v. Arhaus LLC et al., GD-18-01298 (Allegheny Cty. Ct. Com. Pl.), asserts claims on behalf of a class of individuals towed from the parking lot located at 235 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (the “Parking Lot”). Plaintiffs allege that following non-consensual tows from the Parking Lot, they were charged tow fees then exceeding the maximum allowable as set forth under the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances and Pennsylvania law, and assert Defendants violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”), 73 Pa. Stat § 202-1, et. seq., the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act (“PaFCEUA”), 73 Pa. Stat. § 2270.1, et seq., and various common law causes of action. Defendants deny these allegations, deny any wrongdoing, and deny that they would be found liable to Plaintiffs and the Class.
Those included as a Settlement Class Member are individuals whose vehicle was non-consensually towed from the parking lot located at Arhaus, 235 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 by Howard’s Towing and Recovery LLC and All individuals who were charged and paid a fee in excess of the limits then set by 5 Pittsburgh Code §§ 525.05 for release or return of any passenger cars, light trucks, motorcycles, and scooters that were nonconsensually towed from the Parking Lot by Howard’s Towing within the applicable statute of limitations.
This website is provided as a service to eligible settlement class members. The information provided is in summary form and is not intended as a complete explanation of your rights. For full and complete information, you are directed to carefully review the Notice and other court documents.
| YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT | |
|---|---|
| DO NOTHING, AND RECEIVE AUTOMATIC PAYMENT | If you do nothing, you will receive a cash payment from the Settlement Fund equal to the payment that you made to Howard’s Towing, if any, plus a pro rata share of the remainder of the Settlement Fund after subtracting the Costs of Settlement Administration. |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF | If you ask to be excluded, you will not receive a cash payment, but you may be able to file your own lawsuit against Howard’s Towing, Howard Szuminsky, or Arhaus for the same claims. This is the only option that leaves you the right to file your own lawsuit for the claims that are being resolved by the Settlement. In order to be effective, a request to be excluded from the Settlement must contain all the information required by the Settlement. Deadline is May 23, 2023. |
| OBJECT | You can remain in the Class and file an objection telling the Court why you believe the Settlement should not be approved. If your objections are overruled, you will be bound by the Settlement. Deadline is May 23, 2023. |