Court To Notify Current And Former Justice Customers About A $50.8 Million Class Action Settlement

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A notification program began today, as ordered by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to alert current and former Justice customers about a $50.8 million proposed class action settlement with Tween Brands, Inc. and Ascena Retail Group, Inc. ("Justice").

This settlement resolves a class action lawsuit about whether Justice misled shoppers by marking items "40% off" when this price was in reality the regular price. Justice denies all of the claims and says that it did nothing wrong.

Notices will be sent directly to potential Settlement Class Members and will appear in nationwide media outlets leading up to a hearing on May 20, 2016, when the Court will consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement.

The Settlement Class includes individuals who purchased merchandise from Justice between January 1, 2012 and February 28, 2015. This includes individuals who purchased merchandise at a Justice store as well as those who purchased merchandise from Justice by phone or online. Ohio residents who purchased merchandise from Justice stores in Ohio only between July 1, 2012 and August 31, 2014 are not included in the Settlement Class because of a prior settlement in the Ohio State class action, Perez v. Tween Brands, Inc., No. 14-CV-00119, Court of Common Pleas, Lake County, Ohio.

As part of the settlement, you can choose from two options:

OPTION ONE:  You may submit a claim without any documentation of the amount of your Justice purchases for a cash payment of $7, $13, or $20, depending on the state in which you live; or a Justice voucher in the amount of $10, $20, or $30, depending on the state in which you live.  If you did not receive an Access Code, you must submit proof of one purchase during the Class Period to receive either the cash payment or Justice voucher.  If you received a postcard or email notice, an Access Code was included in that notice.

OPTION TWO:  If you have documented purchases between January 1, 2012 and February 28, 2015 and you (1) shopped at Justice six or more times, and/or (2) spent $105+ in a single visit or order, you may claim a check for 14% or a voucher for 20% of your total documented purchases.

If the amount needed to pay valid claims exceeds total funds available, payments may be reduced and paid in proportion to other valid claims.  If money remains after all claims, fees and costs are paid, the remaining money will be returned to Justice.

Claims may be submitted online at www.JusticeClassAction.com.  A claim form may also be requested by mail by calling 1-877-854-5282.  All claims must be submitted by April 4, 2016.

Known Settlement Class Members who do not submit a claim will automatically be sent a Justice voucher after the settlement is approved for $10, $20 or $30 depending on the state they reside in.  This Justice voucher may require a purchase of $25 or more depending on the state.

The Court has appointed the law firms of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP and Mansour Gavin, LPA as Plaintiffs' Counsel to represent the Settlement Class.

Those affected by the settlement can ask to be excluded from, or object to, the settlement and its terms.  The deadline to request exclusion from the Settlement Class is April 20, 2016; the deadline to object to the settlement is April 15, 2016.

A toll free number, 1-877-854-5282, has been established in the case known as Rougvie, et al. v. Ascena Retail Group, Inc, et al., No. 2:15-CV-724-MAK, along with a website, www.JusticeClassAction.com, where the notice, claim form and other information may be obtained.  Those affected may also send an email to info@JusticeClassAction.com or write to Justice Class Action Settlement, P.O. Box 3240, Portland, OR 97208-3240.

SOURCE The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania