July Class Action Settlements Involve Whirlpool, Google, Neutrogena, VW and Audi
Consumers could collect payments from multimillion-dollar settlements with claim deadlines in July.
These settlements with companies such as Google, Mylan, Volkswagen and Johnson & Johnson resolve a range of claims such as false advertising, wage-and-hour violations, privacy breaches and more.
You could participate in a number of settlements and get paid. Continue reading to see if you qualify to take action this month. Check the deadlines carefully because some are during the first week of the month.
Mylan EpiPen Antitrust Class Action Settlement
Mylan agreed to a $264 million settlement to resolve claims it conspired with other pharmaceutical companies to drastically increase the price of EpiPens.
The settlement benefits individuals or companies that purchased or reimbursed purchases of EpiPens or generic equivalent prescriptions between Aug. 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2020.
According to a class action lawsuit against Mylan Pharmaceuticals, the company conspired with Pfizer to artificially raise the costs of EpiPens. Through an illegal monopoly, the companies were allegedly able to increase the cost of life saving EpiPens by 600% — from $100 to $608 — in just nine years.
Claims for the settlement must be filed by July 25, 2022.
Neutrogena, Aveeno Sunscreen Carcinogens Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
Johnson & Johnson will fund $1.75 million in consumer vouchers to put an end to allegations that Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens contain carcinogenic contaminants.
The settlement benefits consumers who purchased various Neutrogena or Aveeno sunscreens between May 26, 2015, and April 8, 2022. The settlement covers the following sunscreen products:
- Aveeno Protect + Refresh Aerosol Sunscreen
- Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Aerosol Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Aerosol Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Aerosol Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Aerosol Sunscreen
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen Lotion
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen Lotion
Plaintiffs in a product safety class action lawsuit claim these sunscreens are contaminated with benzene — a carcinogen linked to leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers. Although Johnson & Johnson recalled the contaminated products and offered a refund program, consumers argued they were still harmed when they unknowingly exposed themselves to cancer causing chemicals.
In order to benefit from the settlement, consumers must submit a valid claim by July 7, 2022.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Leak Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
Whirlpool will pay $21 million to resolve a class action lawsuit claiming the company’s dishwashers are defective and prone to leaks.
The settlement benefits consumers who purchased certain Whirlpool dishwashers manufactured between 2010 and 2018. This includes consumers who acquired eligible dishwashers upon purchasing a home. A full list of affected Whirlpool models can be found on the settlement website.
According to the Whirlpool class action lawsuit, the brand’s dishwashers were built with a faulty seal. As a result of defective installation, the seals allegedly degrade over time and build up debris. This causes the dishwashers to fail and eventually leak, the consumers contend, which can lead to significant property damage.
Claims for the settlement must be submitted by July 26, 2022.
Zywave, Insurance Technologies Corp. Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
Zywave Inc. and Insurance Technologies Corp. (ITC) agreed to pay $11 to resolve claims surrounding a 2021 data breach.
The settlement benefits anyone whose personal identifying information was compromised in the February 2021 data breach affecting Zywave. Eligible consumers should have received a notice of the settlement in the mail or via email.
In February 2021, hackers allegedly hacked Zywave’s systems, allowing them to steal sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passwords and more. Zywave and ITC allegedly failed to warn consumers of the breach until May 2021. A class action lawsuit against the companies argued that the breach would not have happened if Zywave and ITC took proper cybersecurity measures to protect consumer data.
In order to receive benefits from the settlement, consumers must submit a valid claim form by July 5, 2022.
Sole Fitness Treadmills Horsepower Class Action Settlement
Sole Fitness agreed to pay $3.65 million to resolve allegations it over-stated horsepower claims on treadmills in order to drive consumer sales.
The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Sole treadmill models in Ohio or Minnesota between Aug. 30, 2015, and Feb. 21, 2022, or in other states from Dec. 2, 2017, to Feb. 21, 2022. The settlement includes the following Sole Fitness treadmill models:
- Sole F63 (3.0 CHP)
- Sole F65 (3.25 CHP)
- Sole S77 (4.0 CHP)
- Sole F80 (3.5 CHP)
- Sole F85 (4.0 CHP)
- Sole TT8 (4.0 CHP)
- Sole F60 (2.75 CHP)
- Sole S73 (3.0 CHP)
- Sole F83 (3.25 CHP)
- Sole TT9 (4.0 CHP)
According to a false advertising class action lawsuit, Sole Fitness exaggerated the horsepower claims on the above treadmill models. Horsepower is one of the most important specifications a consumer looks for when purchasing a treadmill, the plaintiffs explain. By exaggerating horsepower ratings beyond what could be achieved in normal household settings, Sole Fitness allegedly misled consumers into purchasing and overpaying for its treadmills.
Claims in the settlement must be submitted by July 26, 2022.
Vending Machines Fingerprint Collection Class Action Settlement
Compass and 365 Retail will pay $6.8 million to resolve claims that certain vending machines violated Illinois biometric privacy laws.
The settlement benefits individuals who used certain vending machines in Illinois between Aug. 23, 2014, and Nov. 2, 2021. The Compass and 365 Retail vending machines included in the settlement operate under names such as Smart Market, Avenue C, Market Now, eMart, NEX Micro Markets and Honest Eats Marketplace.
Plaintiffs in the biometric privacy class action lawsuit claim that the vending machines’ touchless payment options violate Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Despite collecting and using consumer finger prints, the vending machine operators allegedly fail to get consumer consent or comply with other BIPA regulations.
In order to benefit from the settlement, vending machine shoppers must submit a claim form by July 29, 2022.
On Point Global Fraudulent Websites FTC Judgment
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) secured a $102 million judgment against On Point Global in a lawsuit challenging the company’s fraudulent websites.
The judgment benefits consumers who purchased an On Point Global guide between 2017 and 2019 or who provided personal information to On Point Global in 2019.
According to the FTC, On Point Global operated numerous websites that promised to help consumers complete government services, including checking program eligibility or renewed identification documents. These websites were allegedly created to mimic genuine government sites in order to convince consumers to share their personal information. This information was then sold for millions to third parties, the FTC contends.
Claim forms for the judgment must be submitted by July 17, 2022.
Volkswagen, Audi transmission Defect Class Action Settlement
Volkswagen agreed to a class action settlement to resolve allegations that certain Audi vehicles were built with defective transmissions.
The settlement benefits consumers who owned or leased model year 2010, 2011 or 2012 Audi S4 or Audi S5 vehicles.
Documentation of repairs and expenses may be required to benefit from the settlement.
Plaintiffs in the Volkswagen class action lawsuit say the Audi vehicles were manufactured with defective direct-shift gearbox transmissions. These transmissions are allegedly prone to premature failure which cause shuddering, rough shifts, and “limp mode.” These failures can put drivers, passengers and other vehicles at risk on the road, the plaintiffs contend.
In order to benefit from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by July 29, 2022.
Google Cookie Tracking Class Action Settlement
After years of appeals and court decisions, Google will pay $5.5 million to resolve claims it set unauthorized cookies on Internet Explorer and Safari browsers.
The settlement benefits consumers who used either Apple Safari or Microsoft Internet Explorer browser in 2011 or 2012 and who had doubleclick.net cookies placed despite browser settings intended to block these cookies.
According to the Google class action lawsuit, ads through Google’s advertising services bypassed cookie settings in Safari and Internet Explorer browsers in order to gain access to users’ internet activity and communications. Consumers say they did not agree to these cookies and never gave their consent.
Consumers do not have to file a claim with the settlement but have until July 7, 2022, to exclude themselves from the settlement.
Wells Fargo Retirement Plan Class Action Settlement
Wells Fargo agreed to pay $32.5 million to resolve claims it violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by mismanaging employee retirement plans.
The settlement benefits participants of the Wells Fargo & Co. 401(k) plan since March 13, 2014.
According to plaintiffs in the ERISA class action lawsuit, Wells Fargo breached its fiduciary duties by including its own funds in employee retirement plans. Other, better-performing funds would have been better for retirement plan performance, the plaintiffs contend. Choosing to retain Wells Fargo funds instead of better performing investment options allegedly hurt plan participants and limited their retirement savings.
In order to benefit from the settlement, former participants must file a rollover form by July 21, 2022. Current participants do not need to take action in order to benefit from the settlement.
