Glucosamine supplements help deal with painful conditions like arthritis. Doctor’s Best is a popular brand that offers glucosamine supplements to help patients deal with such problems. However, all glucosamine supplements do not have a similar composition with glucosamine sulfate being the premier choice of glucosamine as per clinical research. A class action settlement has been reached against Doctor’s Best alleging that it falsely advertised its supplement to contain glucosamine sulfate.
The class-action lawsuit against the company claims that Doctor’s Best has intentionally misrepresented its supplements as containing glucosamine sulfate when in reality it contains fewer effective ingredients including potassium sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. The misleading advertisement caused plaintiffs to pay a higher price for the supplements which caused them financial injury. The Doctor’s Best class-action lawsuit sought relief under different consumer protection laws including the California Unfair Competition Law, California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and the California False Advertising Law.
Doctor’s Best has denied that it engaged in any wrongdoing and contended that the products were labeled properly as per the Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytic Collaboration. However, it has agreed to honor the settlement claims for resolving all allegations brought against them by the plaintiffs and avoiding the inherent uncertainty and costs of litigation. Doctor’s Best has agreed that they will not advertise their products as containing glucosamine sulfate on any marketing, labels, or other advertising material. These requirements will be followed by the company for three years.
The lawyers behind the lawsuit will ask the Court for payment as fees and expenses incurred on litigating the case, investigating the facts, and negotiating the settlement of the Doctor’s Best case. Both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and Doctor’s Best separately negotiated the amount to be awarded as attorney’s fees and other expenses after negotiating the benefits to Class members and finalizing the Settlement Agreement. Doctor’s best agrees with the fact that the Plaintiff’s Counsel is entitled to a fee award. They have agreed to honor the same by paying an amount not exceeding $475000 subject to the Court’s approval. This amount included the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the prosecution and settlement of the Action by the Plaintiff’s Counsel. The lawyers behind the lawsuit will ask for an additional award for the plaintiff Sharae Casey who brought about this lawsuit. This Incentive Award will compensate Plaintiff for risk-taking and pursuing litigation and agreeing to a broader release of claims compared to other Settlement Class Members.
Eligibility for Making Claim: The Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Settlement is expected to benefit consumers who bought the following Doctor’s Best Glucosamine supplements between 22nd July 2016 and 28th Feb 2022:
- Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Sulfate 750mg
- Vegan Glucosamine Sulfate 750mg
- Synergistic Glucosamine MSM
- Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM
- Vegan Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM
- and Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM + Hyaluronic Acid
Proof Of Purchase: Class members can send the proof of purchase (if any) along with the claim form. Here the Proof of Purchase means any itemized sales receipt generated by the seller or its digital image file or photocopy showing the date and place of purchase, the amount paid and the name of the product purchased. It also includes any document or method which evidences proof as per the Claim Administrator.
Potential Claim Amount: Class Members are eligible for partial refunds for their purchase of the Doctor’s Best glucosamine supplements belonging to the above-mentioned list. They can collect a 60% refund for each purchased product up to a maximum ceiling of 12 products per household by submitting proof of purchase. The Class Members can recover a settlement payment of $5 for each purchased product limited to five products for each household and a maximum payment of $25 if they cannot submit any proof of purchase.
Objection Deadline: Class members will have to mail their objection(s) and/or notice of intent to appear at the Final Approval Hearing so that they are received within 10th June 2022.
Exclusion Deadline: Class members are required to mail their exclusion request form so that it is received within Friday, 10th June 2022.
Deadline for Submitting Claim: To receive the benefits of this class action settlement, Class Members will have to submit a valid claim form within 14th June 2022.
Final Hearing Date: The Court will hold a final hearing on 8th July 2022, Friday to determine the following:
- If the terms of the proposed settlement are reasonable, fair, and adequate and should receive approval.
- If the costs, fees, and/or expenses brought by the Class Counsel need to be granted.
- Whether the application for paying the plaintiff who brought the lawsuit should receive approval.
Settlement Website: DoctorsBestGlucosamineSettlement.com
Claim Form: Online Claim Form (krollsettlementadministration.com)
