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[STK]
[IN] UTI WUT
[SU] LAW
TO LEGAL AFFAIRS, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Class Action Settlement about Toilet Connectors
PHILADELPHIA, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following
is being released by Watts Regulator Co. and Plaintiffs' law firms,
Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.; Gustafson Gluek, PLLC;
Hagens, Berman, Sobol, Shapiro, LLP; Fine, Kaplan, and Black, LLP; and
Berman DeValerio, about the lawsuit Trabakoolas v. Watts Water
Technologies, Inc., No. 3:12-CV-01172.
Watts Regulator Co. ("Watts") and Plaintiffs announced a Settlement to
resolve a nationwide class action lawsuit related to flexible hoses
that connect a toilet to a home's water supply. Plaintiffs alleged
that the nut connecting these "toilet connectors" to the home's water
supply could fail due to defects in its design, causing leaks and
property damage. "This class action settlement provides value and
peace of mind to members of the Class," said Simon Paris, lead counsel
for the Class. The Class includes those that owned or leased a
residence or other structure in the United States containing a toilet
connector with coupling nuts made with acetal plastic that were
designed, manufactured, and/or distributed by Watts between 1999 and
July 2009.
"This agreement is important for our customers, as well as for the
company," said Dean Freeman, Watts' CEO. "It allows us to help those
customers who have actually experienced a leak, as well as customers
whose connectors have worked perfectly, and it allows Watts to put
more of its energy, time, and resources into continuing to make the
best plumbing products."
Freeman continued: "This was a difficult decision, because we believe
that there is no defect in Watts' toilet connectors. However, in the
end, we concluded that prolonged litigation was not in the best
interests of the company or its customers. Watts made a business
decision, rather than a litigation decision."
Paris further explained that if the Settlement is approved by the
judge presiding over the matter in the Northern District of
California, a fund will be established that will be distributed to
eligible Watts' customers in the Class. Customers who have
experienced water damage from leaks will be able to make a claim to be
reimbursed (from the fund) for up to 25% of their documented property
damage. Customers whose connectors have not leaked may replace these
Watts toilet connectors and file a claim to be reimbursed $4 for up to
five Watts toilet connectors they replace. "We see this as a win for
the Class who now can obtain monetary relief for property damage
caused by Watts' toilet connectors or prevent potential damage by
replacing those toilet connectors while being reimbursed through this
Settlement," Paris stated.
The total Settlement amount of $23 million will pay class members for
replacement of toilet connectors and reimbursement of water damage
repairs, as detailed in the Settlement Agreement, and will cover
notice, Settlement administration expenses, and attorneys' fees and
expenses as ordered by the Court. The Settlement is subject to court
approval, which will be the subject of a hearing currently scheduled
on July 16, 2014. Also, class members have until June 29, 2012 either
to exclude themselves from the litigation or object to the Settlement.
For more information or to obtain a Claim Form, visit the Settlement
website, www.ToiletConnector.com, or call 1-877-819-9632.
Source: Watts Regulator Co.; Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky,
P.C.; Gustafson Gluek, PLLC; Hagens, Berman, Sobol, Shapiro, LLP;
Fine, Kaplan, and Black, LLP; and Berman DeValerio
SOURCE Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.
-0- 04/01/2014
/CONTACT: Patrick Howard, Esq., Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C., 215-575-3895
/Web Site: http://www.ToiletConnector.com
CO: Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: UTI WUT
SU: LAW
PRN
-- DC94273 --
0000 04/01/2014 14:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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