Blackburn Settlement Jacksonville, FL: Complete JEA Class Action Guide

Table of Contents#

• What Is the Blackburn Settlement in Jacksonville, FL?
  • Background on JEA and the Class Action Lawsuit
  • Settlement Terms and Total Compensation
• Who Qualifies for the Blackburn Settlement?
• What Benefits Does the Settlement Offer?
• How to File a Claim for the Blackburn Settlement
  • Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
  • Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
  • Step 3: Submit Your Claim
• Key Dates to Remember
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Conclusion
• References

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What Is the Blackburn Settlement in Jacksonville, FL?#

Background on JEA and the Class Action Lawsuit#

JEA is Florida’s largest municipal utility, serving over 400,000 electric customers in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. In January 2020, residential customer John Blackburn filed a class action lawsuit (Blackburn v. JEA, Case No. 1:20-cv-00152) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

The lawsuit alleged that JEA violated Florida law by miscalculating its Fuel Adjustment Clause (FAC)—a charge added to bills to cover fluctuations in fuel costs for power generation. Plaintiffs argued that JEA included non-fuel-related expenses (such as maintenance and administrative costs) in the FAC, leading to widespread overcharging of residential customers between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020.

Settlement Terms and Total Compensation#

After nearly three years of negotiations, JEA and the plaintiffs reached a $38 million settlement in December 2022. The court approved the settlement in April 2023. The fund covers:

• Compensation for eligible residential customers
• Attorney fees (up to 33% of the total fund)
• Administrative costs and court fees

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Who Qualifies for the Blackburn Settlement?#

You are eligible for the settlement if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. You were a residential JEA electric customer with an active account between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020.
2. You received electric bills from JEA during that period that included fuel adjustment charges.

Exclusions:

• Commercial, industrial, or governmental customers
• Customers who formally opted out of the class action by the deadline
• Customers who closed their accounts and paid all outstanding balances before the settlement was approved (unless they file a claim for a refund)

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What Benefits Does the Settlement Offer?#

Compensation varies based on your billing history and usage during the eligible period, but two primary benefits are available:

1. Account Credits: Current JEA residential customers will receive automatic credits to their electric accounts. The average credit is estimated at $75, but amounts can range from a few dollars to several hundred depending on how much you were overcharged.
2. Cash Refunds: Former JEA customers (those who closed their accounts before April 2023) will receive a check in the mail if they file a valid claim. Refund amounts are calculated using JEA’s historical billing records.

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How to File a Claim for the Blackburn Settlement#

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility#

Visit the official Blackburn v. JEA Settlement Website and use the eligibility checker tool. You’ll need either:

• Your JEA account number (found on past bills)
• The name and address associated with your former JEA account

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation#

• Current Customers: No additional documentation is needed if you can verify your account online.
• Former Customers: You may need to provide proof of past residency, such as old utility bills, lease agreements, or tax returns, to confirm your account existed during the 2015–2020 period.

Step 3: Submit Your Claim#

You have three options to submit your claim:

1. Online: Fill out the secure claim form on the official settlement website.
2. By Mail: Download and print the claim form, then mail it to:
   Blackburn v. JEA Settlement Administrator
   PO Box 4179
   Portland, OR 97208-4179
3. By Phone: Call the settlement administrator at 1-855-776-2524 to request a form or submit your claim over the phone.

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Key Dates to Remember#

Note: If you missed the claim deadline, contact the settlement administrator to inquire about late claim eligibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q1: Do I need to file a claim if I’m still a JEA customer?#

A: Most current customers will receive automatic account credits without filing a claim. However, if you believe your credit is incorrect, contact the settlement administrator to review your account.

Q2: Can I opt out of the settlement after the deadline?#

A: No. The opt-out deadline passed on February 1, 2023. If you didn’t opt out, you’re part of the class and bound by the settlement terms.

Q3: What if I moved multiple times during the eligible period?#

A: You can file a claim for each JEA account you held between 2015 and 2020. Provide proof of residency for each address to verify your accounts.

Q4: Is there a cost to file a claim?#

A: No. Filing a claim is free. If someone asks you to pay a fee to file, it’s a scam—contact the settlement administrator immediately.

Q5: How long will it take to receive my refund?#

A: Former customers can expect checks within 10–12 weeks of submitting a valid claim. Current customers received credits within 6–8 weeks of the final approval hearing.

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Conclusion#

The Blackburn Settlement is a significant victory for Jacksonville residents who were overcharged by JEA. It underscores the power of class action lawsuits to hold utility providers accountable for unfair billing practices.

If you’re eligible, take the time to verify your status and file a claim if needed. Even if you missed the initial deadline, reach out to the settlement administrator to explore late claim options. For more details, refer to the official website or contact the support team.

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References#

1. Blackburn v. JEA Official Settlement Website: https://www.blackburnjeasettlement.com/
2. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida: Case No. 1:20-cv-00152
3. Jacksonville.com: "JEA Approves $38M Settlement in Overcharging Lawsuit" (December 2022) https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/12/15/jea-approves-38m-settlement-overcharging-lawsuit/6968575001/