Settlement in GE refrigerator class action suit

Own a GE fridge? Read on:

FORT MYERS - An NBC2 investigation has prompted appliance giant General Electric to replace defective refrigerators, not only in Florida, but across the country. The company has reached a settlement deal with plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed after our story. The 28 page settlement is big news for consumers because GE put in writing a promise to replace, reimburse and add extra protection for those who have defective refrigerators.

GE had already replaced thousands of defective refrigerators in the Southwest Florida area, but now the company will do the same thing nationwide.

NBC2’s investigation found rust dripping from the refrigerator’s insides, an ugly black substance embedded in ice cubes and sharp plastic pieces broken away from ice makers.

Our investigation caught the eye of Bill Turner of Naples, who filed a federal class action complaint. Now his class action suit will go nationwide.

“To have a settlement today, brings a lot of appreciation the system works,” said Turner.

The settlement includes GE refrigerators and “Hotpoint” brands. The units were made in 2001 and 2002 in Bloomington, Indiana, including the 20, 22 and 25 cubic foot side by side models.

The settlement includes close to 300 model numbers.

GE will replace units that have needed more than three repairs to fix moisture related problems.

For those consumers that qualify, they will not only receive replacement refrigerators, but a one year additional warranty and reimbursements for repairs.

“I think that’s the biggest part of the case because many have spent money out of pocket to fix their refrigerator and they are getting all this back from GE,” said Scott Weinstein, Turner’s attorney.

A judge still has to sign off on the settlement. At that point, the claim forms will be available. A final hearing is not expected until spring of 2006.

GE will send direct notices by mail to all owners of these units that are in their database. They will also put out advertisements nationwide.