What's New This Year?

Toilet Fill Valves May Fracture, Flood

Three words you never want to hear together: “toilet,” “leak,” and “overflow.” Unfortunately, you’re about to: attorneys working with ClassAction.org have reason to believe that several brands of toilet fill valves contain design flaws that can cause leaks, cracks, and – yes – overflowing.

Some toilet valve manufacturers, including Fluidmaster, have reportedly changed the materials they use to produce ball cock-style valves. All well and good – but the newer plastic valves may be less resistant to corrosion from the chlorine that’s typically added to water supplies to prevent disease-causing pathogens. Over time, these valves may corrode, crack, and cause leaks. If this sounds like something that’s happened to you, tell us about it.

Travel Time Should Be Compensated – For Some

Technicians, merchandisers, installers and others who regularly travel between work sites may be able to file wage claims for the time they spend driving and traveling. A number of lawsuits have already been filed and, while not all time spent traveling for work is classified as payable time, it’s possible that many workers are owed money because companies are not following federal wage laws. While you don’t deserve to be paid for, say, traveling to work in an office from 9-to-5, those who must drive between work sites – think door installers or cable repair technicians – should generally be getting paid for travel time and not just the time they spend working at someone’s house. Read more about travel time law on this page.

Chrysler Minivans and Tire Problems

Certain 2008 – 2011 Chrysler and Dodge minivans may contain a defect in their tire pressure monitoring systems that causes the tires to deflate and valve stems to corrode and break off, according to a class action filed by worried consumers. Complaints dating back to 2009 indicate that Chrysler knew about the problem – and that it was so common, replacement parts for the valve stem were on backorder. More than 130 complaints have been sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation, where some drivers reported losing control of their vehicles after their tires blew out. While Chrysler seems to have fixed the problem in later models of its minivans, drivers of 2008 – 2011 models may still be affected and, to make matters worse, the company never actually told drivers to watch out for tire blowouts or to replace the parts, according to the suit. Joining a class action could provide compensation for the price of repairs and other costs. To learn more and tell us about your experience, get in touch by clicking here.

How Do I Join a Class Action?

The New Year is a time for self-examination – a time to ask questions. What will you do in the year ahead? Where will you go? How do you join a class action? These are all the big questions. Well, good news! We have the answer to at least one of them. For all the details on how class actions work and how you actually join one, check out our blog post, helpfully titled How Do I Join a Class Action?

Supplements – What Are They Good For?

There’s been a lot of news about dietary and herbal supplements recently, with several major retailers accused of selling pills that are little more that placebos. We’ve taken a look at the supplement industry in the United States today and what it is you need to know. Read all about it in our blog post.

Ethicon Morcellator Cancer Cases Consolidated

Fifteen cases in Kansas have been consolidated after a court ruled that they were similar enough to be heard together. The suits, all filed against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon, allege that the company’s power morcellator spreads cancer in women’s bodies when used in certain laparoscopic surgeries. Ethicon had opposed the consolidation to no avail. In 2014, the FDA released a guidance warning that laparoscopic power morcellators may spread cancerous cells when used in gynecological surgery and several companies have since faced lawsuits from women who underwent procedures using the devices. Read more.