Rash Curtis Lawsuit: Settlement, Payouts and 2026 Updates

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Updated: May 19, 2026 |
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Rash Curtis and Associates is at the center of one of the largest debt collection lawsuits in American history, and if you ever got a robocall from them, you may be owed money. A federal jury hit the company with a staggering $267.7 million verdict for making illegal automated calls to consumers without their consent.

This case touches millions of people across the country. Many received calls on cell phones they never authorized. Many had no idea they had legal rights under federal law.

In this article, you’ll get the full breakdown. That means what happened, who qualifies, how much money is on the table, and what steps you need to take in 2026.


What Is the Rash Curtis Lawsuit?

The Rash Curtis lawsuit is a federal class action case against Rash Curtis and Associates, a California-based debt collection agency, for allegedly making millions of illegal automated phone calls to consumers.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. Plaintiffs accused the company of using an autodialer and prerecorded voice messages to contact people without prior express written consent, a direct violation of federal law.

Rash Curtis specializes in collecting medical debt. Many of the people they called were patients who owed hospital bills.

The problem: contacting someone on their cell phone using an autodialer without permission is illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Rash Curtis allegedly did this on a massive scale, calling thousands of people who had never agreed to receive automated calls.

Key Case FactsDetails
DefendantRash Curtis and Associates
Type of CaseTCPA Class Action
CourtEastern District of California
IndustryDebt Collection (Medical)
Main AllegationIllegal automated robocalls to cell phones

The case became a landmark example of how debt collectors can face enormous financial consequences for ignoring consumer protection laws.


How Much Is the Rash Curtis Settlement Amount?

The Rash Curtis settlement amount stems from a $267.7 million jury verdict handed down against the company, one of the largest TCPA verdicts in U.S. history.

After the verdict, the parties entered settlement negotiations. The final resolved figure covered a large class of affected consumers across multiple call categories.

Rash Curtis lawsuit 2026 settlement guide banner with legal scales and cell phone silhouette on navy background

Settlement distributions are handled through a claims process. Not every class member receives the same amount. The total payout depends on factors like how many calls you received and whether Rash Curtis had any basis to claim consent.

Settlement PhaseDetails
Original Jury Verdict$267.7 million
Legal BasisTCPA violations ($500-$1,500 per call)
Distribution MethodClaims-based payout to class members
Payment TypeCheck or electronic payment

What matters to you as a potential claimant is not the headline number. What matters is your slice of it. That depends on your specific call history with Rash Curtis.

Key stat: Under the TCPA, each illegal call can result in $500 in damages. If the call was willful, that jumps to $1,500.


What TCPA Violations Did Rash Curtis Commit?

Rash Curtis violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by using automated dialing systems and prerecorded messages to call people on their cell phones without permission.

The TCPA, passed in 1991, requires that companies get prior express written consent before using an autodialer or prerecorded voice to call a cell phone. Rash Curtis allegedly skipped this step entirely for thousands of consumers.

The court found that the company used a system called “Genesys,” which qualifies as an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) under federal law. Calls made with this system without consent violated the TCPA on every single instance.

  • Using an autodialer to call cell phones without consent
  • Using prerecorded voice messages without permission
  • Calling numbers on the Do Not Call Registry
  • Failing to maintain internal do-not-call lists
  • Continuing to call after consumers requested to stop

Each one of those violations is actionable. And with millions of calls made, the damages stack up fast.

Think of the TCPA like a toll road with a fixed fine per missed payment. Every unauthorized call is one missed toll. Multiply that by millions of calls, and the bill becomes astronomical.


The Rash Curtis Robocall Lawsuit Explained

The Rash Curtis robocall lawsuit centers on the company’s use of automated calling technology to reach debtors at scale, often without any legal permission to do so.

Rash Curtis used sophisticated auto-dialing software to cycle through lists of phone numbers and deliver prerecorded messages about unpaid debts. This is efficient for a debt collector but illegal when done without consent to cell phone users.

The robocall component of the lawsuit is what drove the massive verdict. Each robocall to a non-consenting cell phone user counted as a separate TCPA violation. With millions of calls logged, the per-call penalties added up fast.

Robocall Violation TypeTCPA Penalty
Automated call without consent$500 per call
Willful violation$1,500 per call
Prerecorded message without consent$500 per call
Continued calls after opt-out request$500 to $1,500 per call

Consumers who received multiple robocalls from Rash Curtis could be looking at significant individual compensation. The more calls you received, the stronger your potential claim.

Bold stat: Rash Curtis allegedly made over 534,000 calls using automated dialing technology during the relevant period.


Inside the Rash Curtis $267 Million Verdict

The $267.7 million verdict against Rash Curtis is one of the most significant TCPA judgments ever recorded in a U.S. federal court.

The jury handed down this number in the case Perez v. Rash Curtis and Associates. The verdict reflected statutory damages of $500 per TCPA violation, multiplied across hundreds of thousands of illegal calls.

This was not a settlement figure that lawyers negotiated behind closed doors. A jury heard the evidence and decided this is what the company owed. That distinction matters because it signals how seriously courts take robocall violations.

The size of the verdict sent a clear message to the debt collection industry. Automated calling without consent is not a gray area. It is a federal violation with real financial consequences.

  • Case name: Perez v. Rash Curtis and Associates
  • Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • Verdict: $267.7 million
  • Basis: $500 per TCPA violation across 534,000-plus calls
  • Year of verdict: 2019 (with ongoing enforcement and claims through 2026)

After the verdict, the case moved into appeals and settlement negotiations. The resolution of those proceedings shapes what class members receive today.

Key Takeaway: The Rash Curtis lawsuit produced a $267.7 million verdict for illegal robocalls, one of the largest TCPA verdicts in history, and consumers who received unauthorized calls may still have active claim options in 2026.


Rash Curtis Class Action Settlement 2026: Where Things Stand

As of 2026, the Rash Curtis class action has moved through its post-verdict phase, and claim processing is the primary activity for affected consumers.

The class action covered a defined group of people who received automated calls from Rash Curtis without prior express written consent during a specific time window. If you were included in that class and did not opt out, you may be entitled to a share of the settlement fund.

Settlement administrators were responsible for identifying class members, sending notices, and processing claims. Anyone who received a settlement notice should treat it as a real legal document with a real deadline.

2026 Status TrackerCurrent State
Verdict StatusFinal (post-appeal)
Settlement NegotiationResolved
Claims ProcessingActive in 2026
Individual ClaimsStill available for some consumers
New Class ActionsPossible for post-settlement violations

One important thing to understand: a class action settlement does not necessarily close the door on all individual claims. If your situation falls outside the class definition, you may still have options.

The 2026 landscape for Rash Curtis claims is more nuanced than most people realize. Checking your specific call history against the class definition is the right first step.


What FDCPA Violations Were Alleged Against Rash Curtis?

Beyond the TCPA, Rash Curtis also faced allegations of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal law that governs how debt collectors can contact consumers.

The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from using harassment, false statements, or unfair practices when collecting debts. Rash Curtis allegedly crossed several of those lines in how they ran their collections operation.

Specific FDCPA allegations included calling at unreasonable hours, failing to verify debts when disputed, and using deceptive communication tactics to pressure people into paying.

FDCPA Violation CategoryWhat It Means
Harassment or abuseCalling repeatedly to annoy or harass
False or misleading representationsMisrepresenting the debt amount or legal status
Unfair practicesUsing prohibited methods to collect money
Failure to validate debtNot providing written verification when asked
Calling outside allowed hoursBefore 8 AM or after 9 PM local time

FDCPA violations carry their own damages, separate from TCPA claims. Consumers can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages per case, plus actual damages and attorney fees.

This means people targeted by Rash Curtis potentially had two separate legal claims: one under the TCPA for the robocalls, and one under the FDCPA for collection harassment.


Who Qualifies for the Rash Curtis Settlement?

You qualify for the Rash Curtis settlement if you received automated or prerecorded calls from Rash Curtis and Associates on your cell phone without giving prior express written consent.

The class definition in the Perez case was specific. It covered individuals who received calls through the Genesys dialing system or similar autodialer technology during the class period, without having provided the required written permission for such calls.

Qualification criteria generally include:

  • You received one or more calls from Rash Curtis on a cell phone
  • The calls were made using an autodialer or prerecorded message
  • You did not provide prior express written consent to receive those calls
  • The calls occurred within the timeframe covered by the class definition
  • You did not opt out of the class action when given the opportunity
Eligibility FactorQualifiesDoes Not Qualify
Device calledCell phoneLandline only
Call technologyAutodialer or prerecordedManual dial only
Consent providedNo written consent givenSigned consent form exists
Opted out of classDid not opt outOpted out previously

If you are unsure whether you received a qualifying call, your cell phone records from the relevant period can help establish whether Rash Curtis called you.

Key Takeaway: FDCPA and TCPA violations are separate legal claims, and qualifying for the Rash Curtis settlement depends primarily on whether you received automated calls on your cell phone without giving written permission, not just whether you owed a debt.


How Much Could You Get Per Person from Rash Curtis?

Most individual claimants in the Rash Curtis class action can expect a payout that reflects the number of illegal calls they received, though the per-person amount varies significantly.

Under the TCPA, each illegal call carries statutory damages of $500, and willful violations can reach $1,500 per call. In a class action, the total fund is divided among all valid claimants, which can reduce individual payouts depending on how many people file.

For consumers who received multiple calls, the potential recovery is higher. Someone who was called 10 times without consent could theoretically be looking at $5,000 to $15,000 in statutory damages on an individual basis.

Number of Calls ReceivedPotential Statutory Damages
1 call$500 to $1,500
5 calls$2,500 to $7,500
10 calls$5,000 to $15,000
20 or more calls$10,000 to $30,000+

In practice, class action distributions often result in lower per-person amounts because the total fund is spread across all class members. Individual lawsuits tend to result in higher recoveries per person.

The specific payout you receive also depends on whether you can document the calls with phone records or other evidence.


What Is the Rash Curtis Claim Filing Deadline in 2026?

The claim filing deadline for the Rash Curtis class action depends on which phase of the case you are dealing with, and consumers should act quickly in 2026 to avoid losing their rights.

If the main class action settlement has already closed its claims window, late filers typically lose the right to participate in the class distribution. However, individual TCPA claims have their own statute of limitations: four years from the date of the violation.

This means that if Rash Curtis called you illegally in 2022, your deadline to file an individual lawsuit could extend into 2026. If the calls came in 2023, you may have until 2027.

Claim TypeDeadline Rule
Class action claimsSet by court order; check settlement notice
Individual TCPA lawsuit4 years from date of violation
Individual FDCPA lawsuit1 year from date of violation
State law claimsVaries by state (typically 2 to 4 years)

Do not assume you have missed the window. The statute of limitations for individual TCPA claims is generous, and many consumers still have active legal rights in 2026.

Bold deadline reminder: FDCPA claims have only a 1-year statute of limitations. If you received abusive collection calls, time is shorter for that specific claim.


Did Rash Curtis Make Harassment Calls to You?

Rash Curtis made harassment calls when they repeatedly contacted consumers using automated systems, called at inappropriate hours, or continued calling after being told to stop.

Harassment under both the TCPA and the FDCPA is defined broadly. It’s not just about volume. It’s about the method, the timing, and whether the company ignored your requests to stop calling.

Common signs that Rash Curtis harassed you include:

  • Receiving multiple calls per day about the same debt
  • Getting calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM
  • Receiving calls after you told them to stop
  • Getting prerecorded messages that felt threatening or pressuring
  • Being called on a cell phone you never provided as contact information

If any of those sound familiar, your experience likely falls within the scope of the lawsuit. The key question is whether those calls were made using automated technology, which is what triggers the TCPA.

Harassment PatternLegal Violation
Repeated daily callsFDCPA Section 806
Calls outside allowed hoursFDCPA Section 805
Calls after stop requestTCPA and FDCPA
Prerecorded messages to cellTCPA Section 227

Think of it like a neighbor who keeps banging on your door at midnight even after you’ve told them to stop. Federal law gives you the right to make that stop, and to get paid when it doesn’t.

Key Takeaway: Filing a Rash Curtis claim in 2026 is still possible for many consumers, particularly those pursuing individual TCPA actions, because the four-year statute of limitations may still be running for calls received as recently as 2022 or 2023.


How Did Rash Curtis Break Illegal Debt Collection Laws?

Rash Curtis broke illegal debt collection laws primarily by using automated calling technology to reach cell phone users who had never given permission for that type of contact.

The company was in the business of collecting medical debts, often on behalf of hospitals and healthcare systems. When patients did not pay, Rash Curtis was brought in to collect. The problem started when the company used aggressive, automated methods that crossed legal lines.

Their Genesys dialing system could make thousands of calls per day automatically. That kind of volume is only possible with an autodialer, and using one without consent is a textbook TCPA violation.

Beyond the technology, the company also allegedly failed to maintain proper do-not-call records, ignored opt-out requests, and continued calling people who had clearly stated they did not want contact.

Illegal PracticeLaw Violated
Autodialer calls to cell phones without consentTCPA
Prerecorded messages without permissionTCPA
Ignoring stop-calling requestsTCPA and FDCPA
Failing to maintain do-not-call listsTCPA Regulations
Calling outside permitted hoursFDCPA

The scale of the violation is what made this case historic. Individual violations happen all the time in debt collection. Running those violations through an automated system, at massive scale, is what turns a small compliance issue into a quarter-billion-dollar verdict.


How to File a Rash Curtis Claim Step by Step

Filing a Rash Curtis claim in 2026 depends on whether you are joining a class action distribution or pursuing an individual lawsuit.

For the class action, you would need to have received a class notice and submitted a claim before the settlement deadline. If that window is closed, your next option is an individual TCPA claim.

Here’s how to pursue an individual claim:

Step 1: Gather your phone records.
Pull your cell phone bills from the period when Rash Curtis was calling. Look for calls from their known numbers. This is your primary evidence.

Step 2: Document the call details.
Note the dates, times, number of calls, and any prerecorded messages you received. Write down what was said if you remember.

Step 3: Confirm you did not give written consent.
If you never signed anything authorizing Rash Curtis to call your cell phone with an autodialer, you likely have a valid TCPA claim.

Step 4: Contact a TCPA attorney.
Most attorneys who handle TCPA cases work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. They take a percentage of the recovery.

Step 5: File before your statute of limitations expires.
Remember: four years for TCPA, one year for FDCPA. Do not wait.

Filing StepAction Required
1Collect cell phone records
2Document call dates, times, and content
3Confirm no written consent was given
4Consult a TCPA or FDCPA attorney
5File claim or lawsuit before deadline

The process is straightforward when you have documentation. Phone records are usually the most powerful piece of evidence you can bring to a TCPA case.


What Are Your Rash Curtis Individual Lawsuit Options?

Even after a class action settlement, individual consumers can still pursue their own Rash Curtis lawsuit under certain conditions.

If you opted out of the class action, your individual claim is fully preserved. If your calls fall outside the class definition’s time window, you also have independent rights. And if the harm you suffered goes beyond what the class covers, individual litigation may result in a higher recovery.

Individual TCPA lawsuits have several advantages over class action participation:

  • You control the timeline and settlement decisions
  • You can recover the full statutory damages for every call you received
  • You are not competing with thousands of other claimants for a share of a fixed fund
  • You can add state law claims that may not be included in the federal class action
Claim TypeProsCons
Class action claimNo cost to you, easy processLower payout per person
Individual TCPA lawsuitHigher recovery potentialRequires attorney and time
Small claims courtNo attorney needed for small amountsLimited jurisdiction
CFPB complaintFree, easy to fileNo direct monetary recovery

One path that many consumers overlook is filing a complaint with the FCC or CFPB. Those complaints don’t pay you directly, but they create an official record that can support a future lawsuit.

Key Takeaway: Individual lawsuit options remain available to Rash Curtis victims who opted out of the class, whose calls fall outside the class period, or who want to pursue maximum recovery rather than a reduced class action share.


Know Your Rash Curtis Consumer Rights

Your consumer rights against Rash Curtis are protected by two major federal laws: the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

These are not vague suggestions. They are enforceable federal statutes with real financial penalties attached to violations. The $267.7 million verdict is proof they have teeth.

Under the TCPA, you have the right to:

  • Not receive automated calls on your cell phone without written consent
  • Receive $500 per violation, or $1,500 per willful violation
  • Sue the company directly in federal or state court
  • Be placed on internal do-not-call lists upon request

Under the FDCPA, you have the right to:

  • Not be called before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your local time zone
  • Dispute a debt in writing and require validation
  • Demand in writing that a collector stop contacting you
  • Sue for up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney fees
Your RightLawRemedy
No autodialer calls without consentTCPA$500 to $1,500 per call
No calls outside allowed hoursFDCPA$1,000 statutory damages
Right to request debt validationFDCPA$1,000 statutory damages
Right to stop all contactFDCPA$1,000 statutory damages

Knowing these rights is the difference between accepting harassment and getting compensated for it.


Rash Curtis Lawsuit Updates for 2026

In 2026, the Rash Curtis lawsuit story continues to evolve, with post-settlement enforcement, individual claims, and residual class distribution activity all active.

The landmark Perez verdict has been through appeal stages, and the resolution of those proceedings has shaped how and when class members receive money. Settlement administrators continue to process valid claims as documentation is reviewed.

For consumers still within their statute of limitations window, 2026 represents an important year to act. Waiting another year could push some TCPA claims past the four-year deadline if the calls happened in early 2022.

2026 ActivityStatus
Class action distributionOngoing for approved claims
Individual TCPA filingsActive and viable
New TCPA complaintsFCC accepting filings
Statute of limitations watchCritical for 2022 call victims
Rash Curtis operationsCompany continues debt collection

It’s worth watching whether Rash Curtis faces new lawsuits in 2026. Debt collectors that have paid massive verdicts sometimes adjust their practices. But the industry as a whole continues to generate TCPA complaints at high volume.

If you received any automated calls from Rash Curtis in the last four years, treat 2026 as your action year. The legal window is open, but it will not stay open forever.

Key Takeaway: In 2026, consumers who received illegal robocalls from Rash Curtis should check their statute of limitations immediately, because TCPA claims from calls made in early 2022 may be approaching their four-year deadline.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rash Curtis lawsuit about?

The Rash Curtis lawsuit is a federal class action against Rash Curtis and Associates for making millions of illegal automated calls to consumers without consent.

The company violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by using an autodialer and prerecorded messages to collect medical debts from people who never authorized that type of contact.

A jury awarded $267.7 million in damages, one of the largest TCPA verdicts in U.S. history.

How much money can I get from the Rash Curtis settlement?

Individual payouts vary based on how many illegal calls you received and whether you file a class claim or individual lawsuit.

The TCPA allows $500 per violation, or $1,500 per willful violation.

Class action distributions are typically lower per person because the fund is split among all valid claimants.

How do I know if I qualify for the Rash Curtis settlement?

You likely qualify if Rash Curtis called your cell phone using an autodialer or prerecorded message without your prior written consent.

Check your cell phone records for calls from Rash Curtis during the class period and confirm you never signed a form authorizing automated contact.

If you received a class notice in the mail, that is strong evidence you are included in the settlement class.

What is the deadline to file a Rash Curtis claim in 2026?

For individual TCPA claims, the deadline is four years from the date of the illegal call.

If Rash Curtis called you in 2022, your TCPA deadline falls in 2026, making this year urgent for action.

FDCPA claims have a shorter one-year deadline, so those must be filed much sooner after the violation.

Can I still sue Rash Curtis on my own if I missed the class action?

Yes, you can still pursue an individual TCPA lawsuit if you are within the four-year statute of limitations.

Opting out of or missing a class action does not eliminate your individual rights under federal law.

Contact a TCPA attorney to evaluate your specific situation and the calls you received.


What You Should Do Right Now

The Rash Curtis lawsuit stands as proof that consumers have real power against aggressive debt collectors. A $267.7 million verdict does not happen by accident. It happens because real people were harmed and the law was on their side.

If you got automated calls from Rash Curtis, pull your phone records. See how many times they called. Check whether you ever gave them written consent to use an autodialer on your cell phone.

Your window to act in 2026 is real and it is limited. Individual TCPA claims from calls made in 2022 are approaching their deadline. The time to find out where you stand is now, not next year.

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Owen Parker

Owen Parker, Esq. is a U.S.-based attorney specializing in civil litigation and personal injury law. He is known for his strategic approach, strong advocacy, and commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. Owen provides clear legal guidance and dedicated representation in every case he handles.