Bronson, et al. v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc., et al.
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Case No. 3:18-cv-2300-WHA
You may be entitled to benefits from a Class Action Settlement if you are a California resident and own a Samsung plasma television model PN51F5500, PN51F5300, or PN51F5350, that exhibits a “line” issue that requires a replacement PDP
Subject to Court approval, a proposed settlement has been reached in a class action alleging that Samsung (defined below) failed to make available to Authorized Service Centers (“ASCs”) replacement plasma display panel assemblies (“PDPs”) for Samsung plasma television models PN51F5500, PN51F5300, or PN51F5350 (“Affected Models”). The representative plaintiff claims that Affected Model televisions owned by her and other individuals experienced a “line” issue, under which lines appeared on the screen, but that she and the other individuals have been unable to repair their televisions due to the alleged lack of replacement PDPs for the Affected Models. The representative plaintiff further claims that Samsung violated California consumer protection laws. Samsung denies any claims of wrongdoing and believes Plaintiff’s claims are without merit, but has agreed to settle the lawsuit (defined below) to avoid the burden and cost of further litigation.
You may be a Settlement Class Member if you are a California resident and own a Samsung plasma television model PN51F5500, PN51F5300, or PN51F5350, that exhibits a “line” issue that requires a replacement PDP.
Under the Settlement, the named Plaintiff will ask for a $6,000 Service Award and counsel will ask for $487,000 in fees and expenses. You will receive no money damages, but your claims for potential damages, if any, will not be released. This means that you are free to bring your own lawsuit for damages against Samsung on your own or on behalf of a putative class, or to participate in a new class action if someone else files one. From the date of the original lawsuit (April 17, 2018) until the date of this notice November 15, 2019, the statute of limitations has been suspended. Now, however, the limitations period will begin to run again. Thus, if you would like to bring your own lawsuit, you must do so before the statute of limitations runs on your claim (assuming it is not already barred). You will, however, be the beneficiary of aspects of the Settlement Agreement: namely, if you qualify, Samsung will either make the replacement PDP available to you for purchase or provide you with your choice of an exchange for an alternative flat panel display television with reasonably similar display size and features to your current Affected Model or a refund of the estimated purchase price of your Affected Model. The Court has not given final approval to this settlement. If you want to object, you may do so provided you follow the procedures stated elsewhere in this notice. The Court will decide whether to grant final approval on March 19, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., and would appreciate your views.
A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES
You May
Summary
Due Date
Seek Relief Under the
Settlement
You may be eligible to purchase a replacement PDP, receive
an exchange for an alternative flat panel display television with reasonably
similar display size and features to your current Affected Model television,
or receive a refund of the estimated purchase price of your Affected Model
television.
November 30, 2021
Submit an Objection
You may write to the Court and explain why you do not want
the Settlement to be approved. You may appear and speak at the Fairness
Hearing on your own or through a lawyer hired by you. If your objection is
denied by the Court, you may seek relief under the Settlement or do nothing.
January 31, 2020
Do Nothing
You do not give up the right to sue on your own regarding
any claims, even if they are part of the Settlement.
This website is authorized by the Court, supervised by counsel and controlled by the Settlement Administrator approved by the Court. This is the only authorized website for this case.
Please read for a full explanation of the settlement and your options and all applicable timelines.
Important Dates
Objection Deadline
Friday, January 31, 2020
You must mail your objection(s) and/or notice of intent to appear at the Final Approval Hearing so that it/they are postmarked no later than Friday, January 31, 2020.
Fairness Hearing
Thursday, March 19, 2020
The Fairness Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Please check this website for updates.
Seek Relief Under Settlement
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
You may be eligible to purchase a replacement PDP, receive an exchange for an alternative flat panel display television with reasonably similar display size and features to your current Affected Model television, or receive a refund of the estimated purchase price of your Affected Model television by November 30, 2021.
