IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Court granted Final Approval of the Settlement. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement, final review of all claims has been completed. Checks for Class Members who submitted Approved Claims were distributed on December 11, 2012.
Overview Of the Settlement
Hartless v. Clorox Company, Case No. 06-CV-2705 CAB
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit about Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach (CATBC) and Clorox’s claim that CATBC does not harm plumbing. Each package of Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach ("CATBC" or "Drop-In Tablets") states that the toilet cleaner "does not harm plumbing." Plaintiff claims that this statement is deceptive. Plaintiff claims that the chemicals in the Drop-In Tablets corrode the toilet tank parts, in particular, causing the rubber and plastic parts to deteriorate until the flush mechanism fails or no longer seals properly. Plaintiff also claims that Clorox - based on its own tests - knew or should have known that the Drop-In Tablets would deteriorate the toilet tank parts, and yet sold the product by telling its customers that CATBC would not harm their plumbing. Clorox denies all wrongdoing and contends that CATBC is safe for plumbing when used as directed. The Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuits on the terms explained herein.
You are a member of the Class if you purchased, used or suffered any property damage from use of CATBC from December 13, 2002 to September 15, 2010. The following persons are excluded from the settlement class: (a) all federal court judges who have presided over this Action and their immediate family; (b) all persons who have submitted a valid request for exclusion from the Class; (c) Defendant’s employees, officers, directors, agents, and representatives and their family members; and (d) those who purchased CATBC for the purpose of re-sale.
Settlement Benefits
Clorox will create a fund of up to $8 million to pay Class Members’ claims and certain administrative costs. You could obtain a cash payment from the fund if you purchased, used or have suffered property damage from the use of CATBC.
The amount of your payment will depend on the statements in your Claim Form and the support you provided. Details are provided below:
What Are My Options?
- The deadline to submit a Claim Form was January 28, 2011.
- The deadline to exclude yourself was December 6, 2010.
- The deadline to object was December 6, 2010.
For more details on your options, please consult the Notice or Frequently Asked Questions on this website.
Final Approval Hearing
On or about November 22, 2010, Class Counsel submitted their Motion for Final Approval and Request for Attorneys’ Fees, which is available on this website or by calling 1-888-262-1556. The Judge held a Final Approval Hearing on December 29, 2010 at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and approved the settlement as fair, reasonable and adequate.
