Sahar Nicolette  |  January 8, 2021

Category: Appliances

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Woman with a broken Sharp Microwave.

People that were affected by a defect in their Sharp microwaves are one step closer to getting some restitution. 

On Thursday, a judge approved the Sharp Electronics Corp. settlement agreement worth up to $114 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging its microwaves were defective and prone to premature failure, according to court records. 

The plaintiffs claimed the electromagnetic energy waves coming from the magnetron tube become “obstructed or disturbed” moving through the microwave’s waveguide because of an improper configuration of the appliance’s internal components.

That obstruction means a “substantial portion” of the energy is not “properly guided into the cooking cavity,” causing that energy “to arc and otherwise concentrate near the magnetron” and leading to components overheating.

In his approving decision, Judge James S. Moody Jr. said the settlement would provide “immediate benefits” to a nationwide settlement class that includes thousands of consumers who purchased microwaves between January 2009 and August 2020.

Sharp did not admit wrongdoing, and continues to deny the claims while agreeing to the terms of the settlement, on the conditions that “nothing in the Bernatowicz Declaration shall be deemed an admission by Sharp or shall be binding in this or any other litigation as against Sharp,” according to Thursday’s order. 

There are several relief options that have been agreed upon for Class Members, aiming to address the defunct in question.

Man repairing broken Sharp microwave.

All Class Members will receive an extension to the existing warranty for their documented claims. According to the warranty, consumers can choose to receive a $250 cash payment instead of a replacement microwave. Class Members who choose the cash compensation may apply for an additional reimbursement of up to $150, to cover any labor or service costs associated with the documented claims. 

Another option available for Class Members who have a documented claim is to choose a $500 voucher for Sharp merchandise, while also being able to apply for the reimbursement of $150 for labor costs. 

Class Members who choose the cash or voucher option may also be able to apply for reimbursement of up to $200 to cover additional repair costs required to fix the kitchen cabinetry where the microwave was installed, as per the agreement. 

The model numbers for the microwaves are as follows: SMD2470AH, SMD2470AS, SMD3070AS, SMD2480CS, KB6524PS or KB6525PS

The Sharp Microwave Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Hamm v. Sharp Electronics Corp., Case No. 5:19-cv-00488, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

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23 thoughts onSharp Microwave Buyers $114M Settlement Deal Approved

  1. CORETTA BAGWELL says:

    Add me. The plastic came off at the up and on the drawer when open at the bottom.

  2. MARTHA BUENROSTRO says:

    please add me ours burned up on the side wear a plastic piece comes off

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