Thu Oct 24 08:00:00 UTC 2024: **Summary of the Article:**
– **Background**: Drewe Raimi filed a class-action lawsuit against Juul, the e-cigarette manufacturer, in fall 2021, influenced by social media discussions. Many of her friends also filed claims.
– **Unexpected Payments**: On a recent Monday, Raimi received nearly $3,500 via Venmo from “Juul Labs, Inc. Settlement Administrator,” prompting her to share her excitement on TikTok.
– **TikTok Trend**: Following her post, several TikTok users began sharing their own experiences of receiving similar payouts, while others lamented missing the opportunity to file claims.
– **Lawsuit Details**: The lawsuit accused Juul of misleading consumers about the addiction potential and risks of its products, particularly targeting youth. A federal judge approved a $45 million settlement from Altria, which previously owned a stake in Juul, along with Juul’s separate $255 million settlement.
– **Settlement Terms**: Claimants without purchase receipts received a maximum payment of $300.
– **Individual Stories**:
– **Kevin Lanning**, 39, received $1,093.74 and shared on TikTok about his addiction to vaping and how he left Google to start a podcast focused on overcoming adversity.
– Both Lanning and Raimi have quit vaping, reflecting on their past habits.
– **Future Plans for Funds**: Raimi is undecided on how to spend her settlement money, weighing between a designer purse or investing in stocks.
– **Correction Notice**: The article also included a correction regarding Altria’s ownership of Juul, clarifying that Altria used to own a stake but does not currently.
This summary captures the key points of the article and distills the important elements related to the lawsuit, individual cases, and reactions on social media.
First Piper 