According to The Sun, E-cigarette users are in disbelief after receiving compensation checks of up to $10,000 as part of a recent class action settlement involving Juul Labs and Altria Group. This week, the two companies began making direct payments to customers as part of a $300 million settlement stemming from allegations of misleading customers about the addictiveness of their nicotine products.
Class Action Settlement Details
The class action lawsuit, announced in 2022, was initiated following claims that Juul and Altria misrepresented the safety and addictiveness of their products and faced backlash for marketing their products to minors. Despite the application process for claims being closed for several years, many recipients were taken by surprise when compensation unexpectedly appeared in their bank accounts.
Mixed Reactions from Recipients
Responses to the unexpected payments varied widely on social media. One user remarked, “This Juul class action payout is crazy,” while another celebrated, “Happy juul settlement payout day to all who celebrate.” Some recipients shared their payout amounts, with one user posting a Venmo slip for $9,217, while others received amounts ranging from $60 to $600.
Arizona resident Jessie Vendegna expressed her surprise, stating, “I signed up years ago, probably around the time I had quit or just after quitting. I didn’t know how much I would get, seeing as most settlements end in low amounts.” She was pleased to receive $231, feeling it was a reward for quitting smoking and vaping.
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Claims Submission and Validation
Out of more than 14 million claims submitted to the court, only about 842,000 were officially validated, according to BBC News. The lawsuit contended that Juul customers paid more for the products than they would have if they had been given accurate information about their addictiveness and safety. Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that these products were unlawfully marketed to minors.
Regrets from Unsuccessful Claimants
While many were thrilled with their payouts, others expressed disappointment at not filing claims in time. One user lamented, “I thought my lil $86 payout from the Juul thing was awesome until I got on here and saw people getting thousands.” Another noted, “When you missed the email from 2020 to get you that Juul payout today.”
Company Statement
The court did not determine whether either company violated any laws as part of the settlement. In a statement, Juul Labs expressed satisfaction with having resolved the majority of its past legal issues and reiterated its commitment to reducing the use of its products among underage users.
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