Getting Paid and Getting What You Paid For

Skechers U.S.A. Inc. is facing a proposed class action lawsuit over claims that its battery-operated light-up kids’ sneakers have caused chemical burns due to a design flaw. The issue allegedly stems from the battery being too tightly encapsulated in the shoes, which in turn can lead to high-pressure rupturing. Should this happen while a child is wearing the sneakers, he or she can become seriously injured. The suit claims that the company may have known about the risk as far back as 2017, but chose to suppress the complaints rather than address the issue. It’s believed that customers who raised concerns about the shoes were offered replacements, while the complaints posted on the company’s website seemingly disappeared. Read more.

Good for Your Health, Not Your Headphones? Bose Faces Suit for “Sweat Resistant” Claims

Six consumers have come together to file a lawsuit against Bose Corporation over its SoundSport, SoundSport Free and SoundSport Pulse wireless rechargeable headphones. The suit claims the headphones don’t work as advertised, as they quickly lose their battery life and, eventually, the ability to hold any charge at all. According to the complaint, Bose sells its sports headphones alongside claims that the products are weather-, sweat- and water-resistant, ideally suited for those jogging, playing soccer, snowboarding, rock climbing, and engaging in other outdoor activities. So, when the batteries reportedly diminish until the headphones become almost unusable – all because they were exposed to sweat and water – it’s easy to see how consumers can feel deceived and misled. It doesn’t look like Bose has done anything to address the problem either, continually refusing to acknowledge or try to fix the issue, and sometimes offering replacement headphones that have the same exact flaw, the suit says. Read more.

Apple Facing Suit Over Filter, Dust Problems

Apple – no stranger to lawsuits, it must be said – is facing yet another one. This time, plaintiffs have identified a “critical defect” in iMacs and MacBook laptops that lets dust and debris build up behind the computers’ screens. The problem? Apple allegedly never installed filters in its computers’ vents, which are used to bring in cooler air. The suit claims that this can also cause the motherboard to overheat, slowing down the processing speed of the computer and even causing them to crash. Adding insult to injury, it looks like Apple is charging up to $600 to replace smudged screens despite plaintiffs’ insistence that a cheaper and easier fix exists. Interested? Read our new blog all about the issue.

Plane Wrong: Underpaid Flight Attendants Could Mean Trouble

If you work for a regional airline as a flight attendant and only get paid for “block time” – the time between the closing and opening of the main cabin door – attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to hear from you. Only paying for block time may be illegal, as it cheats most flight attendants out of pay for time spent checking in, clearing airport security in full uniform, helping passengers board and performing pre-flight safety checks. Last month, Virgin America flight attendants asked a California judge for $85 million to put an end to a suit that claimed the airline failed to properly pay them for all hours worked. If you work as a flight attendant and only received pay for block time, despite carrying out work-related tasks before and after your scheduled flights, you may be able to take action through a class action lawsuit. Learn more here.

What’s Going On with this Domestic Airlines Settlement?

If you received an e-mail recently about a settlement over domestic airline tickets, this one’s for you! Two major airlines have agreed to settle class action litigation that alleged the “Big Six” carriers – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest, United, Continental and US Airways – worked together to illegally increase domestic flight prices for almost a decade. American Airlines and Southwest have agreed to pay out $60 million to put an end to the claims against them, while some of the other defendants are continuing the fight. It’s a complex situation – which is why we’re happy to bring you a detailed breakdown of who said what and why in our new blog. Enjoy!