Gascho, et al., v. Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, Joint Press Release on Urban Active Fitness Class Action Settlement

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The parties in Gascho, et al. v. Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, announce that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has preliminarily approved a class action settlement. The Plaintiffs in the action include individuals who signed a gym membership or personal training contract between January 1, 2006, and October 26, 2012, with Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, which formerly did business as a health club chain under the name Urban Active Fitness. The Plaintiffs, represented by the Vorys and Isaac Wiles firms based in Columbus, Ohio, alleged that Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, was liable to Class Members due to improper sales, servicing, and billing practices. Global Fitness Holdings, LLC, represented by Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, continues to deny any and all wrongdoing but has agreed to the terms of the settlement to fully resolve all issues.

Now that the Court has preliminarily approved the settlement, a notice, explanation of the settlement, and directions on how to file a claim form were mailed and emailed to Class Members on October 30, 2013. Class Members have 60 days to file a claim. Class Members may obtain additional information and file a claim at www.UrbanActiveLawsuit.com.

The settlement was reached after more than two years of litigation and months of negotiation, including mediation. The settlement provides that:

1. Any Class Member who signed a contract with Urban Active and files a claim form will receive a $5 payment. There are over 600,000 former members eligible to receive this award.
2. Any Class Member who paid a $15 facility improvement fee or maintenance fee to Urban Active and files a claim form will receive a $20 payment. There are over 315,000 former members eligible to receive this award.
3. Any Class Member who canceled a gym membership contract with Urban Active and files a claim form will receive a $20 payment. There are over 380,000 former members eligible to receive this award.
4. Any Class Member who canceled a personal training contract and files a claim form will receive a $30 payment. There are over 60,000 former members eligible to receive this award.

Class Members may qualify for each of the groups listed above, meaning many Class Members could be eligible to receive between $25 and $75.

The parties agreed that after years of litigation, and recognizing the cost, complexity, and risks of continued litigation, that this settlement is a fair, reasonable, and efficient way to provide monetary compensation to the class members and bring closure to all parties involved.

SOURCE Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP