Last week a San Diego judge considered objections to a proposed settlement between Verizon Wireless and class action lawyers who’ve been suing over its billing practices. Consumers would receive two coupons: the first “could be redeemed for a choice of immediate bill credit of $15 on a new or renewed one-year service contract, $30 off of a two-year contract, $24 off an existing contract over a two-year period, $15 off a purchase of Verizon merchandise, a free 120-minute long distance calling card, or 1,500 free text messages over a six-month period. The second coupon would entitle consumers to an ‘earbud’ for handsfree use of their phone or $15 off of a similar accessory.” Consumers Union, which objected to an earlier settlement, says it likes this one, but an objecting lawyer says that “the ear accessory described as having a ‘retail value of $15’ can be bought for $3 or $4 at discount stores. The wholesale cost to Verizon must be even lower, Mr. Tusa said.” (Josh Gerstein, “Settlement Looms for Verizon Wireless”, New York Sun, Apr. 30).

Filed under: class actions, San Diego