Hagens Berman: University of Washington Tuition and Fee Payers See Victory in COVID-19 Lawsuit Against UW

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE) – In a court order dated March 18, 2021, University of Washington tuition and fee payers received a class action lawsuit victory when the court upheld their claims for a possible repayment related to the COVID-19 campus closure, pure Online education and loss of paid amenities, according to Hagens Berman.

A King County Superior Court judge examined UW’s petition for dismissal and upheld the tuition payers’ claims for breach of contract, breach of contract and unjust enrichment. He gave the case the green light to move into the discovery phase, where evidence is gathered. In doing so, the court rejected (among other things) UW’s argument that the plaintiff’s claims were flawed unless he had dropped out of training and retired from school.

“Tuition and fee payers at UW and many other universities across the country have negotiated more than just class loans. With UW’s COVID-19 closings, they paid thousands of dollars for services they paid for but never received, such as personal education, access to on-campus activities and spaces, and more, ”said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and lawyer representing students in the lawsuit. “The court appropriately dismissed UW’s argument that our client, a UW graduate student, made defective claims unless he dropped out and retired from school.”

The lawsuit was filed on September 16, 2020. Hagens Berman has filed similar lawsuits against more than a dozen other universities across the country for failing to repay tuition fees for their losses. If you’re paying for tuition and / or fees at a U.S. college or university that is closed due to COVID-19, learn more about the lawsuit and your rights.

Educational disorders from COVID

The class action lawsuit against the University of Washington seeks partial reimbursement of tuition and other mandatory fees, citing the university’s response to the COVID-19 campus shutdown and online learning.

The complaint states: “Although the University of Washington sent students home, switched to online classes and closed their campus, it continued to charge tuition and / or fees as if nothing had changed and continued to enjoy the financial benefits of millions of dollars from students. ”

The graduate student who filed the lawsuit states that he paid UW for “opportunities and services he did not receive, including education, facilities, services and on-campus activities.” The lawsuit highlights that the plaintiff enrolled to receive in-person on-campus instruction, including the ability to attend professors’ office hours and access to campus facilities and faculty support.

The suit also states that in its effort to recruit students, the university will herald their personal experience on campus including student life.

Learn about the class action lawsuit against colleges and universities for tuition fees and other costs incurred during the COVID-19 outbreak.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer litigation law firm with 10 offices worldwide. The firm’s tenacious pursuit of plaintiff rights has earned it numerous national awards, prizes and titles as “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” MVPs and pioneers of collective rights. For more information on the law firm and its achievements, please visit www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the company for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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