Kallie Cox//November 21, 2024//
Numerous plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit have now received compensation after attorney Paul D. Anderson of Humprey, Farrington & McClain found defects in bonded abrasive wheels.
These cutting wheels are frequently used in trade labor and are found in certain power tools.
In a series of four class action lawsuits and three confidential settlements against several suppliers of abrasive wheels, Anderson and his firm obtained more than $5,000,000 for consumers over two years of litigation.
“The crux of the case involved the hidden defect in the products. Unknown to most consumers, the discs have a shelf life and expire,” Anderson said. “We alleged that the suppliers failed to warn consumers about this critical information. Through the settlement, the defendants are required to add a clear expiration date and warning about the discs’ shelf life.”
Anderson first learned of the issue in 2022 from a client.
“I had a client that was injured and bought a new DeWalt cutting wheel and his first cut through the disc exploded on him,” Anderson said. “He cut his finger, and then I discovered that the guy had just bought a brand-new wheel.”
Anderson did some digging and found that unbeknownst to most consumers, these abrasive wheels could expire and cause injury if used past that expiration date because the glue that binds it together degrades over time.
The four settlements Anderson and his firm litigated nationwide include: Tuter v. Freud America for $1,900,000; Lampton v. Saint Gobain for $1,600,000; Anderson v. Milwaukee for $1,250,000; and Dinges v. DeWalt for $850,000.
“Class members were eligible to receive up to $50 for prior discs purchased. The discs, on average cost about $5 or less. In addition, injunctive relief was entered against each class defendant,” Anderson said.
Gregory Wu of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, represented the defense and did not respond to a request for comment.
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- Amount of verdict, judgment or settlement: $5,000,000
- Type of action: Class action consumer protection settlements
- Breakdown: Four class action settlements totaling $5,600,000 plus three confidential settlements.
- Case Number/Date: 4:22-cv-00282-RK / 11/17/2024
- Plaintiffs’ Experts: Shawn Fox, CPA/Accounting, Damages, Economics with Fox Forensic Accounting.
- Injuries: Business, commercial, economic
- Caption: Jeffrey Tuter v. Freud America Inc.
- Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Paul D. Anderson, Jonathan M. Soper, Kevin D. Stanley, & Kenneth B. McClain of Humphrey, Farrington & McClain.
- Defendants’ Attorneys: Gregory Wu & Paul Williams of Shook, Hardy & Bacon
This article credit to MOLawyersMedia