Watts Toilet Connector Class Action Settlement Gets Final Approval

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On Friday, a California federal judge gave final approval to a $23 million class action settlement between Watts Water Technologies Inc. and a class of consumers who purchased allegedly defective toilet pipe connectors.

U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick granted final approval to the toilet connector class action settlement, finding its terms were fair to the Class Members.

According to the toilet connector class action lawsuit, between 1999 and 2009, Watts Water Technologies and Watts Regulator Co. designed, manufactured and/or distributed toilet connectors with defective acetal coupling nuts even though the company knew the coupling nuts were defective. The toilet connector lawsuit also alleges Watts failed to provide adequate installation instructions and failed to provide warnings to prevent failure of the coupling nuts.

Class Members of the Watts toilet connector class action settlement include “All individuals and entities that own or owned, or lease or leased, a residence or other structure located in the United States” containing a Watts toilet connector with an acetal coupling nut.

Under the terms of the toilet connector class action settlement, Class Members can file a claim to receive a $4 reimbursement per connector, up to a maximum of $20. Class Members who experienced property damage caused by the failure of the coupling nut can file a claim for up to 25 percent of the cost of their repairs.

Watts denies the allegations in the toilet connector class action lawsuit and maintains that the acetal coupling nuts are not defective. The company maintains that the toilet connector failure rate is very low and that failures are caused by factors such as improper installation, misuse or product lifespan. However, Watts agreed to settle the toilet connector class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation.

According to the motion seeking final approval of the Watts toilet connector settlement, there were no objections or requests for exclusion submitted by Class Members. “In fact, … the Settlement has received praise and gratitude from Settlement Class Members who view it as their only means of recovery,” the motion said.

Under the terms of the Watts class action settlement, Class Members submitting claims for a replacement toilet connector will have one year to submit a claim. Class Members who experienced property damage due to the failure of the acetal coupling nut between Jan. 1, 2009 and Jan. 1, 2012 must file a claim within one year. Class Members who suffered property damage after Jan. 1, 2012 must submit a claim within five years from the date of final approval of the class action settlement.

For more information about the Watts toilet connector class action settlement, click here or visit www.ToiletConnector.com.

The plaintiffs are represented by Simon B. Paris and Patrick Howard of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barret & Bendesky PC; Joseph J. Tabacco Jr. and Todd Seaver at Berman DeValerio; Daniel E. Gustafson, Jason S. Kilene and Michelle J. Looby of Gustafson Gluek PLLC; Steve W. Berman, Elaine T. Byszewski, Jeff D. Friedman and Anthony D. Shapiro of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP; and Donald L. Perelman and Gerard A. Dever of Fine Kaplan and Black PC.

The Watts Toilet Connector Class Action Lawsuit is Jason Trabakoolas, et al. v. Watts Water Technologies Inc., et al., Case No. 3:12-cv-01172, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.