Claims Administrator Angeion Group Announces Settlement in "Pool Products" End-User Class Action

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Feb 09, 2015, 04:52 ET

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeion Group today announced that a class action settlement between a class of end users and Defendants, Hayward Industries and Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., was granted preliminary Court approval on December 31, 2014. The end user class includes individuals residing or entities operating in Arizona, California, Florida, or Missouri, who or which purchased Pool Products (not for resale) from a pool retailer, builder or service/maintenance company (or individual) in Arizona, California, Florida, or Missouri at any time from January 1, 2008 through July 16, 2013.

"Pool Products" means the equipment, products, chemicals, parts or materials used for the construction, maintenance, repair, renovation or service of residential and commercial swimming pools, including, among other goods, chemicals, pumps, filters, heaters, covers, cleaners, steps, rails, diving boards, pool liners, pool walls, and white goods (the parts necessary to maintain pool equipment) manufactured by Pentair, Hayward or Zodiac and sold indirectly to end users by Pool Corporation or its subsidiaries, including SCP Distributors LLC and Superior Pool Products LLC.

In Missouri, only persons or entities that purchased Pool Products primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and not for resale, are eligible. Not included in the class are the Defendants or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or a governmental entity or agency.

The settlement resolves allegations that Defendants violated certain state antitrust, unfair competition and consumer protection laws which artificially inflated the price of Pool Products purchased between January 1, 2008 and July 16, 2013. Defendants deny the allegations.

A Settlement Fund has been established totaling $2.0 million. Hayward Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $1.5 million into the Settlement Fund, and Zodiac Pool Systems has agreed to pay $500,000 into the Fund.

The Settlement will provide payments to impacted individuals and businesses who submit valid claim forms with documentation providing proof of purchase during the class period. To obtain more information, including a claim form and a copy of the Settlement Agreements, visit the website: www.poolproductsconsumerlawsuit.com, or call 1-866-753-3703. Claim forms must be postmarked or submitted on line no later than December 11, 2015.

Chief Judge Sarah Vance of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana will hold a hearing in this case, In re: Pool Products Distribution Market Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 2:12-md-02328-SSV-JCW, on May 14, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., to evaluate the fairness of the settlement.

SOURCE Angeion Group