Retailer TJX (Marshall’s, Bob’s, TJ Maxx, etc.), facing lawsuits following its exposure of more than 45 million customer records in a gigantic credit-card security breach, has agreed with class-action lawyers to a settlement that includes, among other concessions, the holding of “Customer Appreciation” sale events at its stores. Ten state attorneys general have now objected to the deal, pointing out that store sale events can and routinely do work to the benefit of the retailer and not just the buyer. Massachusetts AG Martha Coakley’s “objection was not so much with the sale itself, but with having it included as a part of the official settlement. The difference? If it’s in the official settlement, it increases how much money the consumer lawyers involved in the case get for their fee.” (Evan Schuman, “Massachusetts AG Slams TJX Consumer Settlement Sale”, EWeek, Nov. 19; Mark Jewell, “Coakley not excited about TJX’s plan for repayment”, AP/Worcester Telegram, Nov. 21; John O’Brien, “Ten AGs don’t want class action attorneys fees boosted by sale”, LegalNewsLine, Nov. 20; Keith Regan, “TJX to Shell Out $41M in Data Breach Settlement”, E-Commerce Times, Nov. 30).

Filed under: attorneys general, class actions, Massachusetts