Citronella Candles, Pest Foggers $3.6M Class Action Settlement

UPDATE:

• Top Class Actions readers have reported that they recently have received payments of as much as $102.21 as of late December 2021.
• Congratulations to everyone who submitted a claim and got PAID!

Consumers who purchased certain brands of citronella candles and pest foggers, such as Cutter and Hot Shot, may be able to claim up to $14 without proof of purchase thanks to a $3.6 million class action settlement with United Industries Corp.

The Class is made up of anyone living in the United States who purchased any of the covered products for personal use between May 4, 2015, and June 7, 2021.

The products covered by this settlement are U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered citronella candles sold under the Cutter and Repel brands, as well as total release foggers sold under the Black Flag, Do It Best, Eliminator, Green Thumb, Hot Shot, No Pest, Real-Kill, Rid-A-Bug, Spectracide, and TAT brands.

Plaintiffs had filed a class action lawsuit against United Industries Corp., accusing the company of marketing the Cutter and Repel citronella candles and pest foggers such as Hot Shot using misleading claims about their efficacy.

The company denies all allegations of wrongdoing.

United Industries Corp. is a subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. and a supplier of home pest control products for homes, lawns, and gardens, according to the company’s website.

Class Member claims will be divided into two tiers, depending on whether the claim is filed with proof of purchase:

• Tier 1: Class Members without proof of purchase will be eligible to receive $7 for up to two units, for a total possible maximum payment of $14.
• Tier 2: Class Members who file a claim with proof of purchase will be eligible for a full refund of their purchase price for up to six units.

Final payment amounts may be adjusted depending on the number of claims filed.

In addition to the monetary relief, as part of the settlement agreement, the defendants will make appropriate changes to the packaging of the covered products.

A fairness hearing in the pest foggers and citronella candles settlement is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2021.

The deadline to opt out of or object to the settlement is Sept. 5, 2021.

The claim deadline is Sept. 20, 2021.

Who’s Eligible

Anyone living in the United States who purchased any of the covered products for personal use between May 4, 2015, and June 7, 2021.

Potential Award

$14

Class Member claims will be divided into two tiers, depending on whether the claim is filed with proof of purchase:

• Tier 1: Class Members without proof of purchase will be eligible to receive $7 for up to two units, for a total possible maximum payment of $14.
• Tier 2: Class Members who file a claim with proof of purchase will be eligible for a full refund of their purchase price for up to six units.

Proof of Purchase

A receipt, removed UPC code from the package(s), or other similar documentation that shows the purchase of the applicable product during the Class Period in the United States.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

09/20/2021

Case Name

Christine Mendoza, et al., v. United Industries Corporation, Case No. 21PH-CV00670 in Phelps County Circuit Court, Missouri

Final Hearing

08/23/2021

Settlement Website

PestControlSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Digital Settlement Group LLC
PO Box 232 Valparaiso, IN 46384
info@pestcontrolsettlement.com
877-395-8158

Class Counsel

STEELMAN & GAUNT, KAMBERLAW LLC

BURSOR & FISHER PA

Defense Counsel

MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP