Court To Notify Current Or Former Owners Of Homes Or Other Structures Containing Pella® ProLine® Casement Windows That They May Qualify For Benefits From A Class Action Settlement

CHICAGO, Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A notification program is underway, as approved by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the "Court"), to alert current and former owners of homes and other structures in the U.S. containing Pella ProLine casement windows about a proposed class action settlement that may affect their rights.  The settlement involves Pella ProLine casement, awning or transom windows, as well as 250 Series and 450 Series products manufactured by Pella from 1991-2006.

This lawsuit claims ProLine casement, awning, transom, as well as 250 Series and 450 Series windows manufactured by Pella Corporation ("Pella") between 1991-2006 contain defects that have caused water intrusion and resulting damage to the windows and owners' property.  Pella does not believe that there is any defect in these windows and believe that its products have performed well. The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or Pella and the parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit in the interest of serving customers, and to resolve the ongoing litigation.

The Settlement Class includes all persons in the United States who are current or former owners of structures in the U.S. containing Pella ProLine brand casement, awning and/or transom windows (including 250 and 450 Series) manufactured by Pella Corporation between 1991 and 2006. 

Notices will be mailed to known potential Class Members and are scheduled to appear across the country in online banner advertisements, in Sunday newspaper inserts and in a top consumer publication leading up to a hearing on April 9, 2013, when the Court will consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement.  The Court designated Richard J. Burke, Paul M. Weiss, and Julie D. Miller and their law firm Complex Litigation Group LLC as Lead Class Counsel (http://www.ComplexLitGroup.com).

Those affected by this settlement can submit a claim requesting 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 is July 23, 2013.

A toll-free number, 1-866-523-6760, has been established in the case known as Saltzman et al. v. Pella Corporation et al. ("Saltzman v. Pella"), Case No. 06-cv-4481, along with the website, www.windowsettlement.com, where the notice, claim form, settlement agreement and other documents may be obtained.  Those affected may also write with questions to Pella Windows Settlement, PO BOX 2876, Portland, OR 97208-2876 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

SOURCE The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division