Los Angeles, CA: Final approval of a $10.2 million settlement in the defective products class action pending against Unilever and its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit has been granted. The lawsuit, entitled Sidney Reid, et al. v. Unilever United States Inc., et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-06058, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleged that Unilever PLC' Suave Keratin hair products caused consumers to suffer hair loss and/or scalp injury.
Filed in August 2012, the lawsuit claimed that Unilever made false and misleading statements about the safety of the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit, which was recalled in May 2012. Specifically, the complaint asserts that Unilever failed to inform consumers that the hair product posed an unreasonable risk of hair and/or scalp injury.
Under the terms of the Suave Keratin settlement, a Reimbursement fund of approximately $250,000 and an Injury fund of about $10 million will be created. The Injury Fund will compensate Class Members who were injured by the Suave Keratin product for medical expenses and emotional distress associated with their Smoothing Kit injuries. Class Members who suffered Smoothing Kit injuries may submit a claim for reimbursement ranging from $40 to $25,000, depending on the extent of their injuries and proof of their treatment expenses.
Class Members who did not suffer an injury from the Smoothing Kit are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $10.
Keratin Suave class members include all persons who purchased the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit in the United States for personal or home use before February 17, 2014.
For detailed information about the settlement, and filing a claim, visit www.Suave30DaySmoothingKitLawsuit.com.
