Drink company Red Bull are to pay customers who bought their product between 2002 and October 3 2014 a cash payment of $10 or $15 worth of Red Bull products according to a class action settlement valued at $13 million and entered by the company last month.
The company agreed to settle two consumer class action lawsuits. Plaintiffs brought the lawsuits, alleging that Red Bull’s marketing misrepresents both the functionality and safety of the company’s beverages.
Drinkers sued the company saying they were misled by the slogan “Red Bull gives you wings,” stating the company’s advertised benefits of “increased performance,” “improved concentration” and “reaction speed” misled customers.
“Such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull’s] advertising and marketing is not just ‘puffery,’ but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable,” one of the plaintiffs said, according to the lawsuit.
Red Bull said they agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation. However, the company denies any wrongdoing:
“Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.”
The court will hold a hearing on May 1, 2015 to decide whether the settlement will be approved. Payments will be distributed within 150 days after the settlement is agreed upon.
To receive a $10 cash payment or $15 in Red Bull products, you must submit a claim form. You can obtain the form by downloading it from this website, or by calling 877-495-1568 and requesting that it be sent to you by mail, or by writing to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at Energy Drink Settlement, c/o GCG, P.O. Box 35123, Seattle, WA 98124-5123.
