Settlement likely in power adapter lawsuit
updated 01:15 pm EDT, Wed May 18, 2005
Power adapter lawsuit
Conclusion nears for a class action lawsuit filed against Apple in California over faulty power adapters. The lawsuit claimed that certain power adapters sold with Macs were defective, and failed prematurely. Apple denies the allegations, and does not admit any wrongdoing or liability. A offers a "compromise of disputed claims and does not mean that Apple has any liability for the allegations made by plaintiff." If the Settlement is approved, Apple will pay a cash refund of $35 to Settlement Class Members who provide proof that they own or owned covered adapters that failed within the first or second year following purchase.
Subject to the approval of the Court, Apple also has agreed to pay an amount not to exceed $650,000 in full payment of the fees and expenses of the attorneys and legal firms representing the Apple customers for the lawsuit.
The Court has given its preliminary approval to the proposed Settlement, has conditionally certified the Settlement Class, and has approved appointment of Class Representative and Class Counsel. A hearing will be held before the Honorable Jack Komar of the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Clara on September 27th. The hearing will determine: 1) whether the proposed Settlement of the Action on the terms set forth in the Agreement is fair, reasonable and adequate and should receive final approval; 2) whether a settlement class should be finally certified for purposes of entry of Final Judgment; 3) whether the Court should enter the proposed Final Judgment; and 4) whether the application of Class Counsel for an award of attorney’s fees and expenses in the amount of $650,000 should be granted.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2003
Hmmph
I had a power adaptor that "Blew up" literally, on my PISMO G3. One day it was working fine, next day I sat down, plugged it in and blue sparks flying all around my lap. Then the hockey puck basically "popped"/exploded and smoke rose up, it was basically taking all the willpower I had not to throw the laptop off my lap.
When I called apple, they denied everything in the first level support call and ended the call. After day, I decided this was no good, I couldn't just have some product I used every day on my lap emmit sparks and blow up. When I called a second time, and I did not back down, I was sent over immediately to a lawyer who began taking my statement! Needless to say, it really peaved me that they knew about it and "managed me away" the first call. b*******!
I then found a web site of attorneys that were forming this class action. I contact them and they invited me to join the class and send my fault power puck to them for analysis. I was about to do this when Apple called to say they were sending a new power adaptor immediately. I decided not to join the lawyers because that wouldn't fix anything!
Now here we are, two years later, I'm not entitled to the 35 bucks for my trouble, because I received my adaptor. The lawyers are going to get rich and apple is going to deny all responsibility. I don't see how this is good for anyone. The legal system is often very screwed up in its results. If it wasn't for this pending class action apple would have probably replaced the damn adaptor in the first place anyway.
I'm just glad no one was killed or injuried.