$3.5M HomeAgain Premium Membership Settlement Gets Court Approval
Company
HomeAgain
Why
Misleading marketing practices
Total Settlement Amount
$3.5M
Maximum Individual Claimant Award
$20
Claim Deadline
January 27, 2025
A $3.5 million settlement regarding HomeAgain premium membership has received preliminary court approval, marking a significant victory for pet owners across the United States. The class action lawsuit challenged Merck Animal Health's subsidiary, HomeAgain, for allegedly misleading consumers about the necessity of purchasing annual memberships for their pets' microchip services. HomeAgain, a division of Merck known for its pet microchips, faced scrutiny over its marketing practices.
As a result of this settlement, we've learned that pet owners were not actually required to pay for premium memberships to maintain their contact information in the HomeAgain Recovery Database. In fact, the lawsuit claimed the company profited by withholding this crucial information from consumers. Under the settlement terms, eligible members who file valid claims will receive a $20 cash payout, while the company must now clearly communicate that their HomeAgain membership is not mandatory for basic microchip services.
Settlement Overview and Eligibility
Eligibility for the settlement spans across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with varying qualification periods based on residence. Furthermore, the timeframes for eligibility range from May 19, 2016, to September 12, 2024, depending on the state. These state-specific coverage periods ensure comprehensive inclusion of affected consumers. The claim submission deadline is set for January 27, 2025.
Consumer Compensation
Settlement class members who submit valid claims will receive $20.00 in compensation. Notably, this amount may fluctuate based on the total number of valid claims filed. The HomeAgain premium membership cost was a key factor in determining the compensation amount.
Under these circumstances, eligible participants include consumers from 30 states who paid for HomeAgain premium service memberships between May 19, 2016, and September 12, 2024. The settlement encompasses residents from states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, and many others across the United States.
To receive compensation, class members must submit a completed claim form either online through HAMembershipSettlement.com or through mail. The Settlement Administrator will review each claim form to confirm or deny eligibility for payment. Consequently, approved claims will be processed after the resolution of any potential appeals.