A U.S. judge authorized Apple Inc.‘s (AAPL.O) $50 million class-action settlement resolving consumer claims over defective MacBook keyboards on Friday, spurring challenges to the pact.
In his verdict, San Jose federal judge Edward Davila deemed the settlement “fair, adequate, and reasonable.”
The primary plaintiffs in the national class action alleging consumer protection and warranty claims were eleven consumers from New York, Florida, California, Michigan, and other jurisdictions.
Apple was accused of failing to repair or troubleshoot MacBook “butterfly” keyboards from 2015 to 2019.
A Friday message to an Apple official went unanswered. Last year, plaintiffs’ lawyers announced the deal. Apple denied guilt. Keyboard repairs will earn class members $50–$395.
In early March, Davila’s ruling showed over 86,000 class member payment claims. Keyboard repairs can cost over $300. Thus, one challenge to the settlement stated $125 was not enough for one class group.
“The possibility that a better settlement may have been reached—or that the benefits provided under the settlement will not make class members ‘whole’—are insufficient grounds to deny approval,” Davila said in his order.
Other objections claimed denying reimbursement to MacBook users who did not repair keyboard issues was unjust.
Davila noted, “while not all who were purportedly injured will receive compensation, the settlement compromise benefits a significant number of individuals.” In addition, the court granted the plaintiffs’ lawyers $15 million in legal fees.
Girard Sharp and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith’s primary plaintiffs’ lawyers said they “look forward to getting the money out to our clients.” MacBook Keyboard Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD.
