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Settlement Reached in Defective Vitamix Household Blender Class Action Lawsuit

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Santa Cruz: A settlement has been reached in a defective products class action lawsuit pending against Vitamix. The lawsuit, styled Vicki Linneman, et al. v. Vita-Mix Corp., et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-748, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleged that the top seal of blade assemblies in certain Vitamix containers may fleck, causing black flecks to enter food or drink during blending. These flecks are of a non-stick material (polytetrafluoroethylene or "PTFE") that is common in cookware and many other products in the food industry.

As a result of this alleged defect, the plaintiffs claim that the Vitamix blenders are worth less than what consumers and businesses paid to purchase them. No allegations of personal injury were made in the lawsuit.

Eligible Class members are defined as those who: (a) own a Vitamix household blender with a blade assembly dated on or after January 1, 2007 but before October 1, 2016; or (b) own a Vitamix commercial blender that was (i) purchased on or after September 15, 2015 but before August 9, 2016 or before April 7, 2017 in the case of a commercial blender from the XL product line, (ii) never used in connection with the Replacement Seal, and (iii) purchased through a third- party, such as a dealer, distributor, or restaurant supply store and not acquired directly from Vitamix.

According to the terms of the agreed settlement, Class Members who timely submit a Valid Claim are eligible for certain benefits depending on whether they purchased a household or commercial Vitamix blender. Class Members who own a Vitamix household blender may choose between (1) a $70 gift card to purchase certain Vitamix products; or (2) a newly designed replacement blade assembly that does not produce flecks. Owners of one or more Vitamix commercial blenders submitting Valid Claims can receive a new replacement blade assembly from Vitamix, with a maximum of two blade assemblies.

Vitamix has also agreed to pay court-approved Service Awards of $3,000 each to the two Named Plaintiffs as well as legal and administrative fees and court costs.

To receive any settlement benefits, valid Claim Form must be submitted on or before September 28, 2018. A final settlement hearing is scheduled for March 2018.

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Reader Comments

Posted by

on
I own two...I've never received anything

Posted by

on
Whoever made the settlement must have been on the payroll of Vitamix. I agree the $70 gift is a joke. as Ree Thompson noted ... no one wants to pay out more money. Looking for a contact to repeal this agreement!!

Posted by

on
The same for me. I have neither heard or received anything. Where is the customer support?

Posted by

on
1/15/2019 I just received a notification of the $70 settlement, which can only be used on a blender or container, which means the money goes back to them. This is a joke, really. I would need to spend at the least another $300 to use this $70. It doesn't allow it to be used for cookbooks or something that doesn't take an additional amount of dollars out of my pocket. What a hoax! I'm very disappointed in Vitamix.

Posted by

on
I too sent in my completed form with no response from anyone. Was this a scam?

Posted by

on
Good Morning, I filled out the post card the was sent for either a $70.00 give card or the replacement blade. I have not heard back. Can you Help?

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