TCL TV refresh rate false advertising $2.9M class action settlement

Update:

• Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $120 as of mid-September 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

TCL agreed to a $2.9 million settlement to resolve class action lawsuit claims its TV models were marketed with an inflated refresh rate.

The settlement benefits individuals who purchased a new TCL TV in California between April 24, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2021. TVs included under the TCL settlement must have been marketed as having a refresh rate twice as high as its native panel refresh rate.

TCL is an electronics company that sells TVs, audio systems, mobile accessories, headphones, appliances and smart home products. The company sells a range of televisions from basic, smaller TVs to 4K Ultra HD and QLED TVs at sizes up to 98 inches.

According to legal action from consumers, TCL uses false advertising to promote its televisions by inflating the refresh rate, or Hz, listed on product marketing. 

A TV’s refresh rate indicates how many times per second a TV’s pixels are refreshed. For a refresh rate of 60 Hz, a TV’s pixels are refreshed 60 times per second. Higher refresh rates allow for better movement on the screen and generally better picture quality.

TCL allegedly inflates the refresh rate on its TVs in order to charge a higher price for its products. 

For televisions with 60 Hz refresh rates, TCL allegedly marketed the products as having a “120Hz CMI effective refresh rate.” This false advertising allegedly doubled the actual refresh rate supported by TVs. 

“TCL’s misleading and untrue statements about the refresh rates (Hz) of its televisions is likely to deceive consumers and are intended to try and influence their decisions on whether to purchase a TCL television,” the TCL class action lawsuit contends.

Plaintiffs say they wouldn’t have purchased TCL televisions or would have paid significantly less for the products if they knew the truth about the refresh rates.

According to plaintiffs in the TCL class action lawsuit, the television false advertising violated California law including the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California’s False Advertising Law and California’s Unfair Competition Law.

TCL hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $2.9 million to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive a cash payment. 

Payments are projected to be $15 per class member claim. However, payments could be increased on a pro rata basis up to $40 per claimant if fewer class members submit a claim with the settlement. If more class members submit a claim than expected, payments could be reduced under $15 per claim.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 7, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the TCL TV settlement is scheduled Jan. 19, 2023.

In order to receive a payment from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Oct. 7, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits individuals who purchased a new TCL TV in California between April 24, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2021. TVs included under the TCL settlement must have been marketed as having a refresh rate twice as high as its native panel refresh rate.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Proof of purchase not applicable

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

10/07/2022

Case Name

Christopher Julian, et al. v. TTE Technology, Inc. dba TCL North America, Case No. 3:20-CV-02857 in the District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

01/19/2023

Settlement Website

HZClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

TCL Class Action Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 173028
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@HZClassAction.com
877-888-8386

Class Counsel

Charles J. Crueger
Benjamin Kaplan
CRUEGER DICKINSON LLC

Alex Straus
MILBERG COLEMAN BRYSON PHILLIPS GROSSMAN PPLC

Luke Hudock
HUDOCK LAW GROUP SC

Defense Counsel

Isabelle L Ord
DLA PIPER LLP