Lawyers Are Up in Arms Over Copying Fees

WEST PALM BEACH (CN) - A record-retrieval company overcharges lawyers for its copy services, a class claims in court.

"Defendant Compex Legal Service has been and is charging an unreasonable amount for their copy services, to wit: charged a $12.50 charting fee; charged a basic charge of $46.00; charged $8.00 for shipping and handling; and charged a.$10.00 late processing fee; charged $0.40 per page copied," according to the complaint.

Lead plaintiff Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser & Zoeller PA says it has been in existence since 1975. It sued along with individual attorney Scott Addlesberger.

They say Compex Legal Services owes $15,000 in damages for unjust enrichment, conversion, and violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

"Defendant Compex Legal Service Inc. has engaged and continues to

engage in the business of retrieving, copying and shipping records for law firms, individuals, their duly appointed designees," the complaint states.

"The defendant submits its record request forms with correspondence stating the charges for their services are $0.25 per page for copies and $7.50 for shipping and handling," the class adds. "The defendant does not provide notice of any other charges.

"After plaintiffs and those similarly situated requested copies from the defendant, they receive an invoice for additional and excessive charges."

The class says excessive fees for charting and shipping are unreasonable.

"Compex Legal Service Inc. issues thousands of invoices and collects funds for copying and mailing records from requestors in the state of Florida," the complaint states.

The actions "constitute unlawful business and reprehensible public policy practices," the class adds.

Compex Legal Services should be required to disgorge unjust enrichment and improperly converted profits, according to the complaint.

Schuler Halvorson is represented by its own lawyers Jason Wesser and David Kerner.

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