Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer Class Action Settlement

A $5.4 million settlement deal has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging defects in certain Conair hair dryers causes them to catch fire.

On Aug. 15, 2013, plaintiff Cynthia Czuchaj initially filed the Conair class action lawsuit after her Infiniti Pro 1875 watt Salon Performance hair dryer allegedly caught on fire while she was drying her hair, just 10 months after she purchased the product.

According to the lawsuit, certain Conair hair dryers had defectively designed heating coils and electrical cords which caused the hair dryers to burst into flames without warning and sometimes injure consumers.

Specifically, the lawsuit contends Conair violated California and New York laws by falsely advertising and/or selling a product with alleged defects.

Czuchaj sought certification in September 2015 which was subsequently granted for a nationwide Class and California and New York subclasses.

However, in March, Conair partially won its bid to decertify the nationwide Class and further pushed to narrow the state subclasses.

The plaintiffs fought back against the motion, stating there were common defect allegations that gave standing to the subclasses.

Under the terms of the Conair Infiniti hair dryer settlement, Class Members who purchased a Conair brand hair dryer made by Neumax will receive a replacement hair dryer and those who bought a Conair hair dryer made by Silver Plan or Sun Luen, will receive a $5 check.

For their part in representing the Class, Czuchaj and another named plaintiff, Patricia Carter will receive a service award not to exceed $10,000 each. Additionally, in exchange for $3,000 Czuchaj will dismiss her individual and Class claims with prejudice including personal injury and property damage claims.

Carter has agreed to drop her personal injury and property damage claims in exchange for $35,000. Two other named lead plaintiffs have also settled similar claims for $12,000 and $3,000 respectively.

It is important to note that personal injury and property damage claims are not included in this settlement and Class Members are not giving up their rights to make these claims.

The settlement also provides payment for attorneys’ fees in the amount of $1.2 million and reimbursement of expenses up to $485,000; $231,000 in court costs; and $253,977 for claims administration to be paid by Conair.

Conair denies all of the allegations brought in the class action lawsuit.

Class Members who wish to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by Mar. 9, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement includes everyone who purchased a Conair Infiniti Pro 1875 watt model 259 or 279 hair dryer for personal, family or household use and not for resale either (a) in California from Aug. 15, 2009 through Aug. 31, 2016 and/or (b) in New York from Aug. 15, 2010 through Aug. 31, 2016.

Your hair dryer must also include the letters “SE”, “SR” or “N” on the metal prong of the plug.

Potential Award

$5 or replacement hair dryer.

Eligible Class Members who submit a valid Claim Form postmarked by Mar. 9, 2017 may receive either a replacement hair dryer or a $5 check.

Proof of Purchase

For your claim to be eligible, the following information must be provided on the Claim Form:

• Date of Purchase (to the best of your knowledge)
• Store Location of Purchase (to the best of your knowledge)
• Hair Dryer Model Number
• Plug Code

Note: If your plug code has “SE” or “SR”, you must submit a photograph of your Hair Dryer Plug Code and Handle with the Type Code or provide written proof of purchase which includes the dates and location of purchase and clearly identifies that the item purchased is an Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryer or provide independent proof of purchase such as a prior contact with Conair or a government agency which includes the date of such contact. You may be eligible to receive $5.

If your plug has “N” stamped on it, then your hair dryer must be returned to Conair. Please call 1-844-286-9535 for assistance in returning the hair dryer. You may be eligible to receive a new hair dryer.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

3/9/2017

Case Name

Czuchaj, et al. v. Conair Corporation, Case No. 13CV01901 BEN (RBB), in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Final Hearing

3/23/2017

Settlement Website

www.ConairClassActionSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Conair Claims Administrator
c/o Kurtzman Carson Consultants (KCC)
PO Box 43416
Providence, RI 02940-3416
844-286-9535

Class Counsel

Katherine J. Odenbreit
ODENBREIT LAW APC

Isam C. Khoury
Jeff Geraci
COHELAN KHOURY & SINGER

Brian D. Chase
Jerusalem F. Beligan
BISNAR CHASE LLP

Defense Counsel

Ryan D. Saba
Momo E. Takahashi
ROSEN SABA LLP