Proposed settlement of class action and determination of good faith settlement relating to Vanguard- and Viega-brand brass plumbing components announced by KCC Class Action Services

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- KCC Class Action Services announced today that a Settlement has been reached with Vanguard Piping Systems, Inc., VG Pipe LLC and Viega, LLC (collectively, "Viega") in Verdejo v. Vanguard Piping Systems, Inc., Case No. BC448383 (L.A. Sup. Ct.) concerning allegedly defective plumbing fittings or other components and sub-components made from brass and similar copper alloys with a zinc content of 15+% manufactured and/or distributed by Viega or affiliated entities ("Viega Brass Fittings").  The fittings include Vanguard PEX plumbing system fittings, sometimes referred to as Vanguard F1807 fittings and Vanguard yellow brass fittings. Viega denies all of the claims and allegations in the lawsuit and maintains that the Viega Brass Fittings are not defective.  The Court has not made a determination about the strengths or weaknesses of the allegations and claims or any of Viega's defenses.  Instead, the parties have entered into a compromise Settlement to end the litigation. 

The Settlement Class INCLUDES: All Persons that own or have owned buildings, homes, residences or any other structures located in the United States that contain or have ever contained Viega Brass Fittings.  Also included are all such Persons' spouses, joint owners, heirs, executors, administrators, mortgagees, tenants, creditors, lenders, predecessors, successors, subsequent owners or occupants, lessees, trusts and trustees, attorneys, agents, and assigns and all Persons who have vested legal rights such that they have legal standing and are entitled to assert a claim on behalf of such Persons. Insurance carriers are Settlement Class Members if they paid insurance claims for a Failure prior to September 5, 2013 and obtained legally-vested subrogation rights.  Persons who seek contribution or indemnity from Viega on past Settlements of claims with Settlement Class Members also are included for those Failures if they paid those Settlements prior to September 5, 2013.   Certain persons who meet the foregoing definition are excluded from the Settlement Class, however.  This information, as well as specifics as to all of the terms and conditions of the settlement, eligibility and how to make a claim, are available at www.VerdejoSettlement.com, which has a link to the actual Settlement Agreement that should be reviewed for all details.

The Los Angeles Superior Court will hold a hearing on December 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Department 307, 600 South Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005, to decide whether to give final approval to the Settlement, so that the benefits can be issued.  As part of the hearing, the Court will consider a request by Class Counsel for attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses of no more than $2.95 million.  Payment of attorneys' fees and expenses will not reduce the benefits to Settlement Class Members.  The Court will also determine whether the Settlement is a "Good Faith Settlement" as may be binding on persons located throughout the United States. Those included in the Settlement Class have legal rights and options, such as excluding themselves from or objecting to the Settlement.  More information is in the detailed notice, motion for preliminary approval and good faith settlement determination, and Settlement agreement available at www.VerdejoSettlement.com.

SOURCE KCC Class Action Services