HillRom - The Vest Company's Law Suit

C

CowTown

New member
Just wondering if anyone out there received one of the "proposed settlement" papers regarding the law suit against The Vest Company? I got one in the mail yesterday. It's for anyone who bought or has rented The Vest from Hill-Rom during the period of January 1990 through February 2006. I didn't read the whole thing yet because it's like 5 pages of legal mumbo jumbo. The overall point was that someone sued them for "alleged violations of the federal antitrust laws." Everyone who received this has to respond by saying they either want to remain a "member of the settlement group" and "share in the proceeds of the proposed settlement if it is approved" or object to the terms of the settlement and would not receive any of the settlement if it is approved. It says that under the tems of the settlement "Hill-Rom and Hillenbrand have agreed to provide a cash payment of $337,500,000.00 to the Settlement Class."

So I wonder why someone would want to object? I don't understand what they did wrong, so since I don't feel effected am I suppose to object? I wonder how many people are included in this Settlement Class. Hmmm! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
 
C

CowTown

New member
Just wondering if anyone out there received one of the "proposed settlement" papers regarding the law suit against The Vest Company? I got one in the mail yesterday. It's for anyone who bought or has rented The Vest from Hill-Rom during the period of January 1990 through February 2006. I didn't read the whole thing yet because it's like 5 pages of legal mumbo jumbo. The overall point was that someone sued them for "alleged violations of the federal antitrust laws." Everyone who received this has to respond by saying they either want to remain a "member of the settlement group" and "share in the proceeds of the proposed settlement if it is approved" or object to the terms of the settlement and would not receive any of the settlement if it is approved. It says that under the tems of the settlement "Hill-Rom and Hillenbrand have agreed to provide a cash payment of $337,500,000.00 to the Settlement Class."

So I wonder why someone would want to object? I don't understand what they did wrong, so since I don't feel effected am I suppose to object? I wonder how many people are included in this Settlement Class. Hmmm! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
 
J

julie

New member
Kelly, I am interested just in the literature portion and why the lawsuit is going on. I am crazy and WOULD read 5 pages of legal crap, I love it for some crazy reason.

Do they list a website or anything. Mark uses the vest, bought it in 2004/2005 but we haven't recieved anything from them. We got it through insurance though, did you self pay or did you go through your insurance company?
 
J

julie

New member
Kelly, I am interested just in the literature portion and why the lawsuit is going on. I am crazy and WOULD read 5 pages of legal crap, I love it for some crazy reason.

Do they list a website or anything. Mark uses the vest, bought it in 2004/2005 but we haven't recieved anything from them. We got it through insurance though, did you self pay or did you go through your insurance company?
 
C

CowTown

New member
Sure. A copy of the Settlement Agreement is available at their web site: www.spartanburgclassaction.com

Apparently Hill-Rom had a monopoly on certain products (all kinds of products, there's a list of about 40 different types of things. "Pulmonary Airway Clearance Products and Accessories" is one of them) and did not adhere to competitive pricing ethics. They over charged all the people in the Settlement group. I got my vest through my insurance too, so that's why I'm confused as to why they would involve me in all this. I never paid a dime toward it. I would imagine all the money that is due back to people would go whoever paid for the products, and in my case that would be my insurance. I can't figure out why I am involved. If you figure anything out from reading about it on the web site, please let me know........thanks! Very confusing.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Sure. A copy of the Settlement Agreement is available at their web site: www.spartanburgclassaction.com

Apparently Hill-Rom had a monopoly on certain products (all kinds of products, there's a list of about 40 different types of things. "Pulmonary Airway Clearance Products and Accessories" is one of them) and did not adhere to competitive pricing ethics. They over charged all the people in the Settlement group. I got my vest through my insurance too, so that's why I'm confused as to why they would involve me in all this. I never paid a dime toward it. I would imagine all the money that is due back to people would go whoever paid for the products, and in my case that would be my insurance. I can't figure out why I am involved. If you figure anything out from reading about it on the web site, please let me know........thanks! Very confusing.
 
B

blindhearted

New member
Kelly, I got one last week. I looked over the five pages and still didnt understand it. I dont see where they were wrong. I remember seeing something about them charging too much for their products. I didnt know how much the statement was for. Thats a big number. I also got to figure out if I want to be apart or not. Honestly I dont know what to do with it. I've never had a problem with them and my insurance company paid, not me. But if you find out anymore information about it, please let me know (up here or private message).
 
B

blindhearted

New member
Kelly, I got one last week. I looked over the five pages and still didnt understand it. I dont see where they were wrong. I remember seeing something about them charging too much for their products. I didnt know how much the statement was for. Thats a big number. I also got to figure out if I want to be apart or not. Honestly I dont know what to do with it. I've never had a problem with them and my insurance company paid, not me. But if you find out anymore information about it, please let me know (up here or private message).
 
A

anonymous

New member
I got this too.... I don't really know much about it, and don't understand how or why I would be getting this since my insurance actually paid for the vest for me..... hmmmmm......

Sonia
 
A

anonymous

New member
I got this too.... I don't really know much about it, and don't understand how or why I would be getting this since my insurance actually paid for the vest for me..... hmmmmm......

Sonia
 
A

anonymous

New member
One thing - if you are a member of the settlement class AND your health insurance carrier paid for all or a portion of your vest, they would share in any proceeds you receive from the lawsuit.
 
A

anonymous

New member
One thing - if you are a member of the settlement class AND your health insurance carrier paid for all or a portion of your vest, they would share in any proceeds you receive from the lawsuit.
 
C

CFHockeyMom

New member
Possible reasons for not signing (becoming part of the lawsuit) would be because you don't agree with it or to reserve your right for independent legal action. Once you agree to join the class action suit, you give up your right to sue as an individual.

That said, I agree with Amy. I'd hate to see a company get bullied out of helping CFers or deter any other companies from helping CFers because of legal fears. We are such a litigious society; it's sad.
 
C

CFHockeyMom

New member
Possible reasons for not signing (becoming part of the lawsuit) would be because you don't agree with it or to reserve your right for independent legal action. Once you agree to join the class action suit, you give up your right to sue as an individual.

That said, I agree with Amy. I'd hate to see a company get bullied out of helping CFers or deter any other companies from helping CFers because of legal fears. We are such a litigious society; it's sad.
 
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