Mueller Class Action Settlement: Eligibility & Step-by-Step Filing Guide

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the Mueller Class Action Settlement?
2. Who Was Eligible for the Mueller Settlement? 2.1 Key Eligibility Criteria 2.2 Excluded Parties
3. How to File a Claim for the Mueller Settlement: Step-by-Step 3.1 Gather Required Documentation 3.2 Choose Your Filing Method 3.3 Complete the Claim Form Accurately 3.4 Submit Your Claim Before the Deadline
4. What to Expect After Filing Your Claim
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. References

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1. What Is the Mueller Class Action Settlement?#

The Mueller Class Action Settlement stems from the lawsuit Dorcas v. Aterian, Inc., Case No. CIVSB2222117, filed in the California Superior Court for San Bernardino County. Aterian, Inc. is the parent company of the Mueller kitchen products brand.

Allegations Against Aterian#

Plaintiffs claimed that Aterian falsely and deceptively labeled and advertised Mueller kitchen products with an image of the Austrian flag and the name "Austria," which led reasonable consumers to believe the products were manufactured in Austria when they were not. Plaintiffs alleged that consumers paid more for Mueller home appliances and other products as a result of these misleading representations. The lawsuit asserted claims under the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California's False Advertising Law, and California's Unfair Competition Law, among others.

Aterian denied any wrongdoing but agreed to an $800,000 settlement to resolve the claims. The court granted final approval of the settlement on May 8, 2024. Payments to class members who submitted eligible claims were distributed on August 26, 2024.

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2. Who Was Eligible for the Mueller Settlement?#

Eligibility was tied to the purchase of covered Mueller kitchen products during the class period.

2.1 Key Eligibility Criteria#

You qualified if you:

• Purchased any of the covered Mueller kitchen products in the United States, its territories, or at any United States military facility or exchange
• Made the purchase between December 9, 2018, and August 23, 2023, inclusive

No proof of purchase was required to submit a claim.

2.2 Excluded Parties#

The following individuals and entities were not eligible to claim benefits:

• The assigned Judge to the action, counsel to the parties, Mediator Louis M. Meisinger, and their employees, legal representatives, heirs, successors, assigns, or any members of their immediate family
• Any government entity
• Aterian, Inc. and any entity in which Aterian has a controlling interest, including subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, and officers, directors, employees, legal representatives, predecessors in interest, heirs, successors, or assigns, or any members of their immediate family
• Any persons who timely opted out of the settlement class

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3. How to File a Claim for the Mueller Settlement: Step-by-Step#

The claims process was straightforward, though the claims period has now closed.

3.1 Gather Required Documentation#

While no proof of purchase was required, claimants needed to provide basic personal information including name, address, and contact details. Claimants could receive compensation for up to two covered products.

3.2 Choose Your Filing Method#

Claims could be submitted through the official settlement website at muellersettlement.com. The website provided an online claim form and detailed instructions for submission.

3.3 Complete the Claim Form Accurately#

Claimants selected their preferred compensation option:

• Cash payment: $7.50 per product (up to$15 total for two products)
• Voucher: $15 per product (up to$30 total for two products)

3.4 Submit Your Claim Before the Deadline#

The final deadline to file a claim was January 30, 2024. The deadline for exclusion and objection was also January 30, 2024. The claims period is now closed.

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4. What to Expect After Filing Your Claim#

After submitting your claim:

1. Confirmation: Claimants received confirmation of their submission.
2. Review Process: The claims administrator validated submissions and processed claims.
3. Payment Distribution: Payments to class members who submitted eligible claims were distributed on August 26, 2024. Vouchers were sent via email, and cash payments were sent electronically or by mail.

Note: Actual payout amounts were significantly lower than the advertised $7.50 per product due to the high volume of claims filed against the$800,000 settlement fund. Many claimants reported receiving less than $1.

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5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: How much money did claimants receive from the settlement?#

A: The advertised amount was $7.50 per product (cash) or$15 per product (voucher), for up to two products. However, due to the large number of claims filed, actual payouts were substantially lower. Many claimants reported receiving less than $1 in cash or a reduced voucher amount.

Q: Was proof of purchase required?#

A: No. Claimants did not need to provide proof of purchase to submit a claim.

Q: Could I file a claim if I purchased Mueller products outside the U.S.?#

A: No. The settlement covered purchases made in the United States, its territories, or at any United States military facility or exchange only.

Q: What Mueller products were covered?#

A: A full list of covered products was available on the settlement website at muellersettlement.com. The settlement covered various Mueller-branded kitchen products manufactured by Aterian.

Q: Is the claims period still open?#

A: No. The deadline to file a claim was January 30, 2024. The claims period is closed, and payments were distributed on August 26, 2024.

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6. References#

• Official Mueller Settlement Website: https://muellersettlement.com
• Court Case: Dorcas v. Aterian, Inc., Case No. CIVSB2222117, California Superior Court for San Bernardino County
• Top Class Actions — Mueller Kitchen Products Settlement Coverage: https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/mueller-kitchen-products-false-advertising-800k-class-action-settlement/