Whatley Drake & Kallas and Walters Bender Strohbehn & Vaughan: Legal Notice of Proposed Settlement

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit involving certain Avent and Philips Avent branded plastic baby bottles and sippy cups that were sold in the United States.  The lawsuit claims that Phillips Electronics North America Corporation ("Philips") and other companies ("Defendants") violated the law by making, marketing and selling plastic baby bottles and sippy cups without adequately disclosing to consumers that the bottles and cups contained the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) and without disclosing the potential health risks associated with BPA exposure.  Philips denies any wrongdoing and contends that it adequately disclosed the presence of minute traces of BPA in the products.  The proposed settlement will provide refunds and/or vouchers to certain "Settlement Class Members" who submit "Claim Forms."  If you are a Settlement Class Member, you must submit a Claim Form to get a check or voucher.  Claim Forms can be obtained at www.PhilipsBPASettlement.com or by calling 1-866-730-1621.  A federal court authorized this notice.  Before any money is paid, the Court will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement.

Am I a Class Member?  You are a Settlement Class Member if you purchased or acquired (including by gift) certain Avent or Philips Avent branded baby bottles and sippy cups made with polycarbonate plastic that contained BPA including the Airflex Natural Feeding Bottles (4 oz, 9 oz, or 11 oz), Avent Natural Feeding Bottle or Feeding Bottle (4 oz, 9oz or 11 oz), and Avent Magic Cup (7 oz or 9 oz).  

What Does the Proposed Settlement Provide? Philips agreed to provide refunds and/or vouchers for Settlement Class Members.  Philips also agreed not to sell baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA in the United States for a period of four years, subject to certain exceptions, which are also explained on the website. Visit the settlement website at www.PhilipsBPASettlement.com to read more about the factors that determine the amount of the refunds and/or vouchers

What Are My Options? To qualify for a refund or voucher, you must mail, fax or email a Claim Form to the Claims Administrator by July 16, 2011.  In order to participate, you will be required to provide certain information.  If you don't wish to be in the proposed settlement, you may exclude yourself from the Settlement Class by notifying the Claims Administrator by April 11, 2011.  Or you may stay in and object to the proposed settlement by April 11, 2011.  Visit www.PhilipsBPASettlement.com or call 1-866-730-1621 for more details about the proposed settlement, your rights, and how to file a Claim Form.

Do I have a Lawyer in this Case?  The Court assigned the following attorneys to represent you and the other Settlement Class Members:

Together the lawyers are called "Co-Lead Counsel." You will not be charged for these lawyers.  If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

You are also represented by the "Plaintiffs," whom the Court assigned to serve as "Class Representatives" for you and the other Class Members.

The Court will hold a hearing at 1:00 p.m. on May 2, 2011 at the United States District Court, located at 900 East Fourth Street in Kansas City, Missouri to consider whether to approve the proposed settlement, and whether to grant Co-Lead Counsel's request for $2.5 million in attorneys' fees and expenses and to pay $1,000 in "incentive payments" to the Settlement Class Representatives, to which Philips does not object. You do not have to attend the hearing.

For more information, go to: www.PhilipsBPASettlement.com OR call 1-866-730-1621

CLAIM FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR SUBMITTED BY JULY 16, 2011.

SOURCE Whatley Drake & Kallas