A few weeks ago, we reported on a proposed class action lawsuit settlement against Volkswagen of America over leaky sunroofs. Some car owners would get reimbursed for repair work already done, and VW would inspect and repair some other cars for free. The amount of repair work and reimbursements was capped at $8 million.
But most car owners would only get a piece of paper to insert into their owners manuals to remind them to clean out the sunroof drains every 40,000 miles. Because the trial lawyers "valued the total monetary and non-monetary benefits to the class in the amount of at least $125 million" - the lawyers originally asked for almost $32 million in fees and expenses.
Perhaps due to widespread criticism of the deal, the lawyers have already reduced their request to "just" $22 million. And today, the Washington, DC-based Center for Class Action Fairness filed an objection on behalf of four class members, including one who will receive nothing despite water leakage into the passenger compartment of his car which required over $1,000 in repairs. There's a link to the Center's filing on that page. It's very informative.
The fairness hearing is July 26; we'll keep you posted.