LG Class Action Says a Refrigerator Compressor Defect Spoils Food

According to a class action lawsuit filed in an Illinois federal court, certain LG refrigerator models contain a defect which prevent them from sufficiently cooling food and beverages.

A group of plaintiffs recently filed the class action lawsuit against LG Electronics USA Inc. alleging that various LG refrigerator models contain a defect in the compressor which renders them unusable.

The LG refrigerator class action lawsuit notes that the compressor in an LG refrigerator plays a vital role in the cooling of food. By compressing gaseous refrigerant to increase its pressure and temperature, the compressor helps convert the refrigerant gas into a liquid. The liquid is then passed through coils in the refrigerator where it absorbs heat from the interior of the, turning it back into a gas and restarting the process.

According to LG class action, a manufacturing defect renders the compressors in certain LG refrigerator models defective. If the compressor does not work, the entire refrigeration process is disrupted, rendering the product useless, the plaintiffs allege.

“All Class Refrigerators suffer from the same Compressor Defect, which invariably causes the Class Refrigerators to cease cooling and/or freezing food,” the LG refrigerator class action claims. “Therefore, the Compressor Defect renders the Class Refrigerators useless and unfit for their intended purpose of cooling and freezing food.”

Plaintiffs claim that they were forced to pay hundreds of dollars to have the LG refrigerator defect repaired, including parts of labor costs. Additionally, they sustained financial damage from the spoiled food resulting from the alleged defect.

The LG class action also claims that LG is well aware of the widespread nature of the compressor defect. Numerous consumers have left reviews on websites which detail the problem, which the plaintiffs say LG is aware of or should have been aware of.

One review referenced in the LG refrigerator defect class action says “we had our [LG refrigerator] less than 6 months and compressor went out! We are an older couple and had to go without a Fridge for 25 days last August with heat being in the 90’s! My Husband is a disabled Vietnam Vet and we live on his disability pay! LG sucks wish we had known what garbage there products was before we saved up to buy it!”

The plaintiffs seek to represent a Class of consumers who purchased one or more of the LG refrigerator products in question.

Should their primary proposed Class not be certified, they alternatively seek to represent numerous subclasses of consumers in Illinois, California, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio who are protected under their respective state consumer protection laws.

The LG refrigerator class action lawsuit seeks actual, general, special, treble, incidental, statutory, and consequential damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Katrina Carroll, Kyle A. Shamberg, Bruce D. Greenberg, and Susana Cruz Hodge of Lite DePalma Greenberg LLC; and Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf, and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC.

The LG Refrigerator Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Jackson, et al. v. LG Electronics USA Inc., Case No. 1:18-cv-06746, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.