Watts Heater and FloodSafe Connectors Class Action Settlement

Plumbing supply company, Watts Regulator Co. has agreed to settle two class action lawsuits for $14 million.

The class action lawsuits were brought by homeowners who claim Watts manufactured and sold defective water heaters that caused substantial damage to their homes.

Plaintiffs Curtis Klug and Joseph Ponzo, along with four other named plaintiffs separately sued Watts, stating they suffered massive water damage to their properties as a result of Watts’ defective water supply and heater connectors.

These allegedly defective connectors are used in supplying water to common household appliances including toilets, faucets, washing machines, dishwashers, and icemakers.

Specifically, the two class action lawsuits similarly claim that Watts designed, manufactured, marketed and/or sold Water Heater and FloodSafe Connectors that were defective; knew of the defective condition of these connectors; and failed to provide warnings to prevent failure of the connectors.

Plaintiffs in Klug’s class action lawsuit contend that the shut-off devices for the FloodSafe connectors are defective, while plaintiffs in Ponzo’s class action state the inner-tubing in certain water heater supply connectors malfunction, causing major water damage.

Under the terms of the Watts defective connectors class action settlements, Watts will pay $14 million into a common settlement fund: $4 million for Klug’s settlement Class and $10 million for Ponzo’s.

The settlement also provides for plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and court costs, along with claims administration costs in an amount still to be determined. For their role in representing the Class, the settlement also stipulates a $5,000 incentive award to be paid to each of the Class Representatives.

Watts denies all the claims and allegations in the lawsuits. The company maintains that its Water Heater and FloodSafe Connectors are not defective in any respect and that any failures are the result of other factors, such as improper installation, misuse, or products being at the end of their lifespan.

Class Members who wish to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by Mar. 7, 2017.

The deadline to file a claim is April 11, 2021.

Who’s Eligible

The settlements include anyone who owns or owned (leases or leased) a residence or other structure located in the United States containing a Watts Water Heater or FloodSafe Connector after Nov. 4, 2008. This includes any person or entity that suffered property damage and/or paid to repair property damage caused by the failure of a Watts Water Heater or a FloodSafe Connector.

Potential Award

Varies.

Replacement of Connectors:
For eligible claims submitted within one year of final approval of the settlements, Class Members can receive a cash payment of $10 for each Water Heater and FloodSafe Connector (up to two water heater connectors and two FloodSafe Connectors per residence or other structure) that they replace. The maximum cash payment for replacement of connectors is $40.

To receive a payment, you must provide proof that you own or possess a Watts Water Heater or FloodSafe Connector by providing:

• A label for the connector or a photo of the connector’s label or the connector itself; and
• A receipt from purchasing the replacement connector

There is no restriction on what brand of connector you purchase to replace your Watts Water Heater or FloodSafe Connector.

Payment of Property Damages:
For eligible claims, settlement Class Members can recover up to 25 percent of documented costs of repairs for property damage caused by the failure of a Watts Water Heater or FloodSafe Connector, with a minimum recovery of $25.

Proof of Purchase

Claimants must supply documentation for proof of ownership of each eligible Watts Water Heater and/or FloodSafe Connector, including the connector itself, or a photograph of the connector showing the characteristics that identify it as a Watts product, including any label for the connector with a completed Claim Form.

Replacement Connector Claims:
For each replacement connector sought, claimants must include:

• A photograph of the connector showing the characteristics that identify it as a Watts product (including any attached label), or
• The Watts Water Heater and/or FloodSafe Connector itself; and
• A receipt for each replacement Watts Water Heater and/or FloodSafe Connector purchased with the Claim Form

(NOTE: The replacement connector does NOT need to be a Watts Water Heater or FloodSafe Connector.)

Property Damage Claims:

For property damage claims, all proof of payments for repair of property damage caused by a failed Watts Water Heater and/or FloodSafe Connector must be submitted along with the Claim Form.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

Claim deadline for property damage claims that occurred after Nov. 4, 2014, is April 11, 2021. The part replacement deadline has passed.

Case Name

Ponzo v. Watts Regulator Co., Case No. 1:14-cv-14080-ADB, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Klug v. Watts Regulator Co., Case No. 8:15-cv-00061-JFB-TDT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska

Final Hearing

4/12/2017

Settlement Website

www.ConnectorSettlements.com

Claims Administrator

Watts Claims Administrator
c/o Epiq Systems Inc.
PO Box 4259
Portland, OR 97208-4259
1-877-845-3575
Email: info@ConnectorSettlements.com

Class Counsel

Shanon J. Carson
BERGER & MONTAGUE PC

Bryan L. Clobes
CAFFERTY CLOBS MERIWETHER & SPRENGEL LLP

Joseph G. Sauder
MCCUNEWRIGHT LLP

Defense Counsel

David S. MacCuish
Todd Benoff
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
Attorneys for Defendants Watts Regulator Co. and Watts Water Technologies Inc. in Klug class action.
 
Keith E. Smith
Jodi Dyan Oley
ECKERT SEAMANS CHERIN & MELLOTT LLC
Attorneys for Defendants Watts Regulator Co. and Watts Water Technologies Inc. in Ponzo class action.