News
Order Approving $24 Million Pet Food Settlement Entered
On November 19, 2008, the Honorable Noel L. Hillman, United States District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey, issued his written opinion approving a $24 million settlement to nationwide class action litigation involving the largest pet food recall in U.S. history. Final approval of this settlement, absent any appeal, marks an end to the over 100 lawsuits filed on behalf of thousands of pet owners whose pets became ill or died after consuming the recalled pet food. WW served as Court-appointed Co-Lead Counsel for plaintiffs and managed every aspect of the litigation and settlement process.
The settlement, which the Court found to be "remarkable," provides for a fund of $24 million from which consumers can claim up to 100% reimbursement for documented economic losses they have incurred - including veterinary costs, burial and cremation expenses, and lost wages for time taken off work to care for a pet. Pet owners who are unable to document their damages may recover as much as $900. The $24 million fund is in addition to the $8 million Menu Foods has already paid to reimburse consumers outside of the litigation. Any funds remaining after distributions have been made to pet owners will be allocated to animal-welfare charities in the United States and Canada. Over 12,000 pet owners have already submitted claims for reimbursement, demonstrating an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the settlement.
The settlement resolves lawsuits filed after Menu Foods recalled over 50 brands of dog food and over 40 brands of cat food in March 2007. In the following months the recall expanded to cover pet foods and pet treats manufactured by 12 different manufacturers and approximately 180 brands of pet food products, including products sold under popular labels such as Iams, Eukanuba and Science Diet. Over 60 million containers of pet food were recalled.
Click here to view the Court's opinion approving the settlement. For more information about the settlement or to download a claim form, please visit www.petfoodsettlement.com or call the Claims Administrator at 1-800-392-7785.
Wexler Wallace LLP (http://www.wexlerwallace.com) is a national leader in prosecuting class actions and other complex litigation on behalf of consumer and business clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States. The firm maintains offices in Chicago, Illinois and Sacramento, California.
Contact: Mark J. Tamblyn, (916) 492-1100 or Kenneth A. Wexler, (312) 346-2222.
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