February Class Action Settlements Involve the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, American Airlines, Avis

Consumers who file a claim before February settlement deadlines could receive cash payments and other benefits. Settlements are available for defective products, false advertising, non-compliant receipts and more.

February 2023 Class Action Settlements

LeafFilter Debris Accumulation Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

LeafFilter agreed to a class action settlement to resolve allegations its gutter filter system doesn’t work as intended and can become clogged with leaves and other buildup.

The settlement benefits consumers who appear in LeafFilter’s customer care database with a debris-related final issue code for their service request between Jan. 1, 2016, and June 24, 2022.

According to plaintiffs in the LeafFilter class action lawsuit, the company’s gutter filter system fails to work as advertised. The system allegedly becomes clogged with leaves, twigs and other items, preventing water from passing through gutters as intended. As a result, rainwater allegedly flows out of gutters and onto homes — causing water damage.

In order to receive settlement benefits, LeafFilter purchasers must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 4, 2023.

Root Insurance Total Loss $1.5M Class Action Settlement

Missouri policyholders can benefit from a $1.5 million class action settlement with Root Insurance resolving claims that the insurer failed to include sales tax on total loss payments.

The settlement benefits Missouri policyholders with automotive insurance policies from Root Insurance who submitted a total loss physical damage claim between Jan. 5, 2011, and Aug. 4, 2022.

Plaintiffs in the total loss class action claim that they were significantly underpaid as a result of Root Insurance’s alleged failure to include sales tax in total loss payments. This policy allegedly denied policyholders hundreds or thousands of dollars in violation of policy terms.

The deadline to submit a claim with the Root Insurance total loss settlement is Feb. 4, 2023.

Celsius Beverages False Advertising $7.8M Class Action Settlement

Celsius agreed to pay $7.8 million to resolve a class action lawsuit claiming that the company falsely advertised its beverages as containing “no preservatives.”

The settlement benefits those who purchased Celsius beverages between Jan. 1, 2015, and Nov. 23, 2022. The settlement covers Celsius Live Fit, Celsius Heat, Celsius BCAA+Energy, Celsius with Stevia, Celsius On-The-Go powdered drinks and Flo Fusion powdered drinks.

Celsius allegedly advertised its beverages and powdered drinks as containing “no preservatives” despite containing citric acid — a flavoring agent and preservative ingredient. Consumers say they wouldn’t have paid as much for the drinks if they knew the truth about their ingredients.

In order to receive a settlement payment, purchasers must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 13, 2023.

Salmon Antitrust Indirect Purchasers $33M Class Action Settlement

A $33 million class action settlement between salmon farms and indirect purchasers will resolve claims that the salmon companies conspired to raise and fix the price of salmon products.

The settlement benefits consumers who indirectly purchased (not from the manufacturer) farm-raised salmon or salmon products in certain states between April 10, 2013, and Nov. 17, 2022. The settlement covers purchases made in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.

Plaintiffs in the antitrust class action lawsuit accused Mowi Ducktrap, Grieg Seafood, Sjór, SalMar, Lerøy Seafood and Cermaq of conspiring together to raise the price of salmon products by manipulating a salmon price index. As a result of this scheme, consumers allegedly paid an inflated price for salmon when purchasing the products from retailers.

Consumers can file a claim with the settlement until Feb. 17, 2023.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Unsolicited Faxes $19.75M Class Action Settlement

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to pay $19.75 million to resolve claims the team sent unsolicited faxes to thousands of customers.

The settlement benefits individuals who received one of the 343,122 faxed advertisements sent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between July 14, 2009, and June 9, 2010.

According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action lawsuit, the Buccaneers sent junk faxes promoting its football games and prompting recipients to order tickets through Ticketmaster. Plaintiffs in the case say they never consented to receive these faxes, making the communications a violation of federal law.

In order to receive a settlement payment, fax recipients must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 6, 2023.

American Airlines Bag Fees $7.5M Class Action Settlement

American Airlines agreed to pay $7.5 million to resolve claims it incorrectly charged customers baggage fees despite promising them free checked bags.

The settlement benefits consumers who were charged to check a bag with American Airlines after Feb. 24, 2017, for tickets issued before April 9, 2020. Consumers must also meet one or both following criteria:

• They received an email from American Airlines confirming the purchase of air travel that stated passengers could check one or more bags for that ticketed trip for no charge (or for “USD 0.00”).
• They were traveling within the United States and held an American Citi or Barclays credit card entitling the passenger to check the first bag for free. This includes passengers on international trips who were charged to check their first bag for the entire domestic portion of their itineraries in addition to checking bags for the international portions.

Passengers in the American Airlines class action lawsuits accused the airline of false advertising. The airline allegedly promised travelers they could check their bags for free, only to charge them baggage fees regardless of its previous promises.

The deadline to submit a claim with the American Airlines settlement is Feb. 22, 2023.

Avis Budget e-Toll Related Charge Class Action Settlement

Avis Budget Group agreed to a $45 million class action settlement to resolve claims it charged hidden toll fees on car rentals.

The settlement benefits consumers who rented an Avis Budget vehicle and paid Avis, Budget and/or the Highway Toll Administration for the use of e-Toll services. For rental transactions originating in Florida, Texas or Colorado, the class period is March 2, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2015. For rental transactions originating in all other states, the class period is April 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2015.

According to the Avis Budget class action lawsuit, the car rental company violated consumer protection laws by charging undisclosed fees for electronic toll, or e-Toll, payment systems. Renters say they weren’t properly informed of these fees, causing them to pay more to rent an Avis Budget vehicle than expected.

In order to receive a settlement payment, car renters must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 28, 2023.

Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Debt Collection $1.275M Class Action Settlement

Consumers who received excessive debt collection phone calls from Great Lakes Educational Loan Services could benefit from a $1.275 million class action settlement.

The settlement benefits Massachusetts residents who received more than two phone calls from Great Lakes Educational Loan Services regarding a debt within a seven-day period since Oct. 28, 2015.

Plaintiffs in the debt collection class action lawsuit claim that Great Lakes Education Loan Services violated Massachusetts law by contacting consumers more than twice in a seven-day period regarding a debt. These calls were excessive, the plaintiffs contend.

The deadline to submit a valid claim form with the debt collection settlement is Feb. 27, 2023.

Hibbett Receipt Privacy $6M Class Action Settlement

Hibbett agreed to pay $6 million to resolve claims that it violated federal law by showing too many digits of payment card numbers on receipts.

The settlement benefits consumers who used a credit or debit card at a Hibbett, City Gear or Sports Additions store and who received a receipt that displayed more than the last five digits of their payment card number between Dec. 15, 2020, and Feb. 23, 2022.

According to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) class action lawsuit, Hibbett unlawfully printed too many digits on point-of-sale receipts at its stores. Hibbett has denied willful violations of federal law and maintains that any non-compliant receipts were caused by software errors.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 8, 2023.

Circle K Discrimination $8M EEOC Settlement

Circle K agreed to pay the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) $8 million to resolve claims that it discriminated against disabled and pregnant workers.

The settlement benefits Circle K workers who sought reasonable accommodations for a disability or pregnancy and were subsequently fired between July 10, 2009, and Sept. 26, 2022.

The EEOC took legal action against Circle K under federal law, arguing that the company refused to provide disabled and pregnant workers with reasonable accommodations. According to the EEOC, this conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

Current and former Circle K workers have until Feb. 26, 2023, to submit a valid claim form with the settlement.