1-800 Contacts Class Action Settlement

UPDATE 4:

• This class action lawsuit is paying out $11 in a separate settlement as of Nov. 1, 2022.

UPDATE 3:

• Top Class Actions viewers reported this settlement paying out up to more than $800 as of Sept. 10, 2021.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid.

UPDATE 2:

• According to the settlement website, initial settlement payments are expected to go out the week of Aug. 30, 2021.

UPDATE:

• The 1-800 Contacts class action settlement was granted final approval Oct. 20, 2020.
• Please note that claims will not be paid until after the Dec. 4, 2020, claim deadline passes.
• Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.

Several contacts providers including 1-800 Contacts have agreed to pay a combined $40 million to resolve antitrust claims against them.

The settlement benefits individuals who made at least one online purchase of contact lenses from: 1-800 from Jan. 1, 2004 to Sept. 12, 2019; Vision Direct, Inc., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Walgreen Co. from Jan. 1, 2004 to Sept. 12, 2019; Arlington Contact Lens Service Inc. or National Vision Inc. from March 10, 2010 to Sept. 19, 2017; or Luxottica of America Inc. from Dec. 23, 2013 to July 5, 2019.

According to plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, 1-800 Contacts and other contact companies illegally entered into anti-competitive agreements. The agreements allegedly ensured that the companies wouldn’t compete in online advertising such as trademarks and certain keywords. The companies allegedly further agreed to use “negative keywords” which prohibits their pages from showing up on searches for other company trademarks.

“In particular, 1-800 Contacts abused its monopoly power and entered into bilateral agreements with each of its competitors/co-conspirators to not bid against each other in advertising auctions conducted by internet search engines,” the 1-800 Contacts class action lawsuit claims.

Due to the alleged agreements, the plaintiffs and other consumers were reportedly denied the ability to search online advertisements for the best deals when looking for contacts. As a result, they allegedly paid higher prices for contact lenses.

These claims were reportedly brought on a federal level as well by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2018, the FTC determined that 1-800 Contacts was guilty of an antitrust agreement – although this decision has reportedly been appealed.

The defendants in the antitrust class action lawsuit from consumers have not admitted any wrongdoing but have agreed to settle the claims against them in a $40 million settlement. 1-800 Contacts will contribute $15.2 million, Walgreens and Vision Direct will contribute $12 million, AC Lens and National Vision will contribute $7 million, and Luxottica will contribute $5.9 million.

The settlement will provide cash payments to Class Members, although no estimates for payment amounts are available on the settlement website. Cash payments will be distributed amongst Class Members on a proportional basis, based on total purchases made by consumers.

In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by Dec. 4, 2020. Documentation of purchases may be required by the settlement administrator.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 21, 2020. The final approval hearing for the 1-800 Contacts settlement is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2020.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who made at least one online purchase of contact lenses from: 1-800 from Jan. 1, 2004 to Sept. 12, 2019; Vision Direct, Inc., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Walgreen Co. from Jan. 1, 2004 to Sept. 12, 2019; Arlington Contact Lens Service Inc. or National Vision Inc. from March 10, 2010 to Sept. 19, 2017; or Luxottica of America Inc. from Dec. 23, 2013 to July 5, 2019.

Potential Award

Varies.

Cash payments will be distributed amongst Class Members on a proportional basis based on total purchases made by consumers.

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of purchases may be required.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

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

12/4/2020

Case Name

Thompson v. 1-800 Contacts Inc., et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-01183, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Final Hearing

10/20/2020

Settlement Website

www.OnlineContactLensSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Thompson v. 1-800 Contacts, Inc.
c/o CPT Group, Inc.
50 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
OnlineContactLensSettlement@cptgroup.com
1-888-506-0436

Class Counsel

Steven M. Jodlowski
Patrick J. Coughlin
David W. Mitchell
Brian O. O’Mara
Carmen A. Medici
ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP

Brian J. Robbins
George C. Aguilar
Gregory Del Gaizo
ROBBINS ARROYO LLP

Joshua S. Brownstein
M. Ryder Thomas
BROWNSTEIN LAW GROUP PC

Defense Counsel

Andrew D. Lazerow
Kuntal V. Cholera
COVINGTON & BURLING LLP

Alycia N. Broz
Kenneth J. Rubin
VORYS, SATER, SEYMOUR AND PEASE LLP

Jeffery C. Bank
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI PC

Stephen Fishbein
Todd M. Stenerson
SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP

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