Court to Notify Owners of Homes and Other Structures Containing Plumbing Systems With Zurn Pipe Fittings That They May Be Entitled to Payment From A Class Action Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A notification program is underway, as ordered by the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (the "Court"), to alert current and former owners of homes and other structures with plumbing systems with Zurn yellow brass crimp (F1807) fittings/connectors about a proposed class action settlement that may affect their rights.

This lawsuit claims that Zurn Pex, Inc. and Zurn Industries LLC (the "Defendant") designed and sold defective F1807 Fittings that prematurely degrade, leak, and cause damage as a result of corrosion. The lawsuit also claims that the warranty Zurn provided with these F1807 Fittings should pay for repairs related to their alleged failures. The Defendant denies the claims and allegations in the lawsuit. The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or Zurn and the parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation.

The Settlement Class includes any person or entities who owns or owned a building or property containing brass crimp fittings and connectors manufactured to ASTM standard F1807 and which were made from a type of brass commonly known as "yellow brass".  People and entities that paid for damage or repairs caused by a leak of a Zurn F1807 Fitting may also file a claim in this settlement.

The Defendant has established a Settlement Fund of $20 million. 

Notices will be mailed to known potential Class Members and are scheduled to appear across the country via online banner advertisements, in Sunday newspaper inserts and in consumer and trade publications leading up to a hearing on February 25, 2013, when the Court will consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement. The Court has appointed Shawn M. Raiter of Larson King LLP as Lead Class Counsel to represent the Settlement Class.

Those affected by this settlement can submit a claim for benefits or they can ask to be excluded from, or object to, the settlement and its terms.  The deadline for exclusions and objections is January 29, 2013. The deadline to submit a Claim Form for a leak or occlusion (a blockage that reduces water flow) that occurs on or before April 1, 2013, is April 1, 2014.  For a leak or occlusion that occurs after April 1, 2013, a Claim Form must be submitted no later than twelve months after an eligible leak or occlusion occurs.  However, no further claims will be allowed after April 1, 2020.

A toll-free number, 1-877-341-4602, has been established in the case known as In re Zurn Pex Plumbing Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 0:08cv01958, along with the website, www.plumbingfittingsettlement.com, where the notice, claim form, settlement agreement and other documents may be obtained. Those affected may also write with questions to Zurn Pex Claims Administrator, PO Box 3266, Portland, OR 97208-3266.

URL: http://www.plumbingfittingsettlement.com

SOURCE The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota