LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Philips Oral Healthcare, Inc. today announced that a settlement is pending in the case "Harrell v. Philips Electronics North America Corporation." The full court announcement follows:
SUMMARY NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
TO: ALL PERSONS WHO reside or resided in California AND who, between
July 22, 2000 and April 19, 2005, purchased a Sonicare Toothbrush
(the "Settlement Class").
THIS NOTICE AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS: PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.
Notice is hereby given that settlement of the following class
action lawsuit: Harrell v. Philips Electronics North America
Corporation, Case No. BC 318897, is now pending in the Los Angeles
Superior Court. In this lawsuit, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants
Philips Oral Healthcare, Inc. and Philips Electronics North America
Corp. ("Defendants"), knew, recklessly disregarded, or reasonably
should have known that whitening toothpastes containing baking soda
and/or peroxides react with Defendants' Sonicare toothbrushes
causing the shell of the handle and brush to allegedly crack,
forcing the consumer to prematurely replace the brush and/or replace
the entire unit at substantial cost. Plaintiff contends that
Defendants violated California law. Defendants deny all liability
for such claims and do not believe that Plaintiff or members of the
Settlement Class have suffered any injury as a result of the alleged
conduct, or that Defendants have mislead any consumers. A settlement
has been preliminarily approved by the Court. On April 19, 2005, the
Court ordered that a Notice of Preliminary Approval of Class
Settlement be e-mailed to the last known e-mail address of each
Settlement Class member for those email addresses evidencing a
California Nexus; that said Notice be posted on Defendants' web-site
at www.sonicare.com; and that Notice be published using PrimeZone
news wire service. If you are a Settlement Class member under the
above definition of Settlement Class but did not receive a copy of
the Notice, you may request a copy of the Notice free of charge by
sending a request to counsel for the Plaintiff and Settlement Class
at:
Michael D. Braun, Esq.
BRAUN LAW GROUP, P.C.
12400 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 920
Los Angeles, California 90025
info@braunlawgroup.com
The Hon. Morris B. Jones will hold a final approval hearing on
June 17, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 48 of the Los Angeles
Superior Court, located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles,
California. If you want detailed information on this lawsuit, or
how and when to make an objection to the settlement, you must
request a copy of the full Notice through the above address. If you
do not object to the settlement by May 27, 2005, you will be
prohibited from seeking further relief on the matters subject to
this settlement. Be sure to include your name, address and
telephone number in any request for information.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR WRITE THE COURT ABOUT THIS NOTICE
Dated: April 19, 2005 BY ORDER OF
THE HONORABLE MORRIS B. JONES
LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT