Americans have less than a month to score settlement payments for several company lawsuits.
Boar’s Head, Olaplex, Ring, and Whirlpool are just a few of the businesses that are giving money back to customers after being involved in lawsuits alleging wrongdoing.
Newsweek reached out to the companies for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Class action lawsuits often end in settlements when a company has been accused of wrongdoing, as a way to potentially compensate consumers who were harmed in the process.
The exact amount of money customers receive varies depending on the settlement, the extent of the alleged wrongdoing, and the duration of the impact. To qualify, you sometimes need to prove your eligibility as a customer, and many companies have set deadlines for May.
What To Know
Boar’s Head meats are displayed at a Safeway store in San Rafael, California, on July 31, 2024.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Boar’s Head
Boar’s Head customers have until May 16 to qualify for the company’s class action settlement. The company recalled certain meat products that were allegedly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Boar’s Head denies any wrongdoing.
You may be eligible if you purchased the designated products between May 10, 2024, and August 12, 2024.
Boar’s Head agreed to set up a settlement fund of $3.1 million, but submitting a claim form is the only way that you can receive any of the benefits in the settlement.
Olaplex
Hair product company Olaplex is also offering a settlement to customers this year, but they’ll need to submit a claim form by May 12. The settlement has been reached over claims that Olaplex allegedly falsely advertised its hair products as “Made in the USA.”
Consumers who purchased those products between February 7, 2019, and September 6, 2024, are eligible.
While Olaplex has admitted no wrongdoing, the lawsuit says the “Made in USA” label violated California’s Made in USA Statute, Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law.
If you qualify, you’ll earn a $5 voucher to use on the Olaplex website.
Ring
Ring has also agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement over claims it failed to disclose to customers that they must purchase a “Protect Plan” to access certain features on its video doorbell and security camera products.
Those who purchased a Ring Video Doorbell 2, Ring Video Doorbell 3, Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, Ring Video Doorbell Pro Wired, Ring Video Doorbell Elite, Floodlight Cam, or Peephole Cam at a brick-and-mortar store in California may qualify.
However, you’ll need to file a claim form by May 22 to secure a cash payment based on the number of products purchased. If you bought one product, you can receive $3, while those who purchased two products can earn $6, and those who purchased three or more products will receive $9.
Ring has not admitted any wrongdoing.
Real Estate Broker Commission
Those affected by the real estate broker commission fees settlement must file by May 9 to secure payments.
Homeowners could receive part of the $208.5 million settlement stemming from a major antitrust lawsuit that targeted several major real estate brokerages.
The lawsuit alleges that American homeowners were forced to pay inflated real estate agent commissions, with Keller Williams, Anywhere Real Estate, HomeServices of America, Re/Max, and Redfin all being impacted by the settlement.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool customers also need to act soon to claim money from a settlement related to certain refrigerators manufactured between 2012 and 2019. Claims must be filed by June 18.
Eligible customers may qualify for a cash reimbursement for past or future Frost Clog Issues that may impact the refrigerator’s ability to cool food properly.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “When companies agree to settlements, it typically either means they made a clear mistake that would trigger some form of financial compensation or a determination was made that a settlement would be the wiser financial and social decision to make than battling out an issue in the court system for years. Fortunately, settlements have become easier to understand and apply for in recent years.”
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “Quite often these companies agree to settlement without the admittance of guilt while the settlement is far more advantageous than going to further lengthy processes. The amounts, after you factor in the number of people involved, comes back often to pennies on the dollar.”
Whirlpool said in a statement: “Whirlpool Corporation takes pride in its home appliances and in our tireless efforts to take care of consumers who may experience problems with their products. Whirlpool Corporation disagrees with the allegations in this lawsuit about refrigerators we have not made since 2019, but we appreciate the opportunity to put our resources toward further supporting our consumers through this settlement.”
What Happens Next
For all settlement deadlines, customers can visit the specific settlement website to view the qualifications and apply online.
“Don’t expect a hefty sum, as large class action settlements usually only produce distributions of a few dollars or less. However, it could go some way in helping with the problems the settlement addresses,” Beene said.
