Home Depot, Reliance Worldwide Corp. Facing Class Action Over ‘Defective’ SharkBite Push-to-Connect Hoses [UPDATE]

The proposed class action lawsuit detailed on this page has been settled with a deal worth an estimated $108 million.

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The proposed settlement, if approved by the court, will cover any individuals or entities who purchased a Reliance Worldwide Corporation water heater connector for direct use and not for resale, or who currently or formerly owned or leased a residence or other structure in the United States when the building contained a water heater connector. The product, which is distributed by defendant Reliance Worldwide Corp. (RWC), can be identified by part numbers beginning with “U3068FLEX” or “U3088FLEX.”

The tentative deal does not cover anyone who has returned a water heater connector they purchased, or has already received a refund or replacement part, court documents state.

The plaintiffs, after first notifying the Georgia District Court of the proposed settlement in June of last year, filed a preliminary approval motion detailing the terms of the deal on January 9, 2024. The parties now await preliminary approval of the settlement terms from United States District Judge Amy Totenberg.

According to the 39-page motion, eligible proposed class members can choose to receive up to two replacement water heater connectors—regardless of whether their part has failed—or a cash reimbursement of $15 per replacement hose, for up to $30 per household or structure. Moreover, the document relays that class members who provide acceptable proof that they suffered property damage as a result of a failed RWC water heater connector will be reimbursed for the injury, including for up to four hours of time spent remedying the issue (if the individual personally repaired the problem).

The defendants will pay $3,800,000 to reimburse class members who suffered property damage, the motion says. Per the document, the offer of providing replacement hoses is estimated to be a $105 million value. The motion adds that any money remaining in the fund after the payment of all valid claims, administrative expenses and service fees will be distributed to Habitat for Humanity as a cy pres award.

To be eligible for a share of the deal, a class member must submit a claim form by mail or through the official settlement website, Connector_Settlement.com, when it goes live. According to the settlement agreement, class members who wish to receive replacement connectors will be required to provide proof that they owned or leased a structure containing one. The agreement further notes that individuals who choose to receive the replacement parts or their cash value will not be able to file a later claim for property damage.

The motion for preliminary approval shares that there may be up to 3.5 million consumers covered by the settlement. Notices will be distributed to class members by mail and email no later than 30 days after the deal receives the court’s initial approval, the motion states.

ClassAction.org will update this page if and when the settlement receives preliminary approval.

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