Customers who purchased a Red Bull product between 2002 and Oct. 3, 2014 are owed $10 cash or $15 in Red Bull products, according to a settlement the company agreed to last month.
The company agreed to pay $13 million to consumers to settle two consumer class action lawsuits. Plaintiffs brought the lawsuits, alleging that Red Bull’s marketing misrepresents both the functionality and safety of the company’s beverages.
Drinkers sued the company saying they were misled by the slogan “Red Bull gives you wings,” stating the company’s advertised benefits of “increased performance,” “improved concentration” and “reaction speed” misled customers.
“Such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull’s] advertising and marketing is not just ‘puffery,’ but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable,” one of the plaintiffs said, according to the lawsuit.
Red Bull said they agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation. However, the company denies any wrongdoing:
“Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.”
The court will hold a hearing on May 1, 2015 to decide whether the settlement will be approved. Payments will be distributed within 150 days after the settlement is agreed upon.
To receive a $10 cash payment or $15 in Red Bull products, you must submit a claim form. You can obtain the form by downloading it from this website, or by calling 877-495-1568 and requesting that it be sent to you by mail, or by writing to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at Energy Drink Settlement, c/o GCG, P.O. Box 35123, Seattle, WA 98124-5123.
No proof of purchase is necessary to obtain settlement benefits.There are four ways to submit a filled-out Claim Form:
- On this website (filed online by no later than March 2, 2015);
- By email to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at energydrinksettlement@gcginc.com (by no later than March 2, 2015); or
- By fax to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at 844-553-1373 (by no later than March 2, 2015); or
- By mail to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at Energy Drink Settlement, c/o GCG, P.O. Box 35123, Seattle, WA 98124-5123 (postmarked no later than March 2, 2015).
