Apple has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a class action lawsuit about battery swelling issues in some Apple Watch models. The lawsuit says these models did not have enough space for the battery to expand, which caused the screen to come off and get damaged. The settlement is for people who reported these issues at certain times.
It covers First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watches. Users who told Apple about battery swelling problems between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024, may get $20 to $50 per device. The amount depends on how the money is split up.
No claim form is needed, but users should check their payment info on the settlement website to make sure they get paid. The final approval hearing for the settlement is on April 10, 2025. People had until February 24, 2025, to opt out or object to the terms.
Payments will go out after the final approval, and eligible people will get their money automatically if they do not opt out. Apple Watch users started reporting battery swelling issues soon after the early models came out. The main worry was that the batteries would expand and cause pressure, which damaged the screen.
The lawsuit, filed in California, says Apple did not leave enough room inside for the battery to expand normally. This led to costly repairs for affected users. Some users had screens that came completely off the device, making it unusable.
Many people who had these problems had to pay for repairs themselves, since Apple allegedly did not cover the damage under warranty. The plaintiffs said Apple knew about the issue for years but did not fix the defect well enough. Apple denies doing anything wrong but agreed to the $20 million settlement to avoid more legal action.
To be eligible for a payout, you must:
– Own or have owned a First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3 Apple Watch. – Have reported battery swelling to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024. – Have your report in Apple’s service records.
Apple Watch battery class settlement
No extra paperwork is needed, and eligible people will get paid automatically. But if you think you qualify and did not get a notice, check the settlement website to make sure.
The payout amount depends on how many eligible claims there are:
– At least $20 per device. – Up to $50 per device if there is money left after all claims are processed. If claims are more than the $20 million fund, payments will be adjusted to make sure the money is split fairly.
The fund will cover payments to consumers, admin costs, legal fees, and other settlement expenses. To make sure you get your payment, eligible consumers should:
1. Go to the settlement website at WatchSettlement.com.
2. Check payment details to ensure accurate processing. 3.
Wait for payment after final court approval. If you do not confirm payment details, you may have delays or lose your payment. Key deadlines:
– Opt-out/Objection Deadline: February 24, 2025.
– Final Approval Hearing: April 10, 2025. People who do not want to be part of the settlement must opt out by February 24, 2025. Those who stay in the settlement class will get their payments automatically.
For questions about the settlement, contact:
– Angeion Group
– 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
– 800-783-1227
– WatchSettlement.com
The $20 million settlement pays Apple Watch users affected by battery swelling defects. If you reported the issue between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024, and are in Apple’s records, you can get money. Check your details on WatchSettlement.com before April 10, 2025, so you do not miss your payment.
Payouts range from $20 to $50 per device, depending on how the fund is split up. If you have questions or need help, contact the settlement administrator using the info above.
Image Credits: Photo by Laurenz Heymann on Unsplash
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