Investors.com: $20 million Settlement Announced in Class Action with Shell
Posted 12 June 04
VANCOUVER, Jun 11, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- A new $20 million class action settlement has been reached with Shell Oil Company regarding Polybutylene (PB) plumbing and/or heating systems.
Canadians who own properties with PB systems may be eligible to partake in the settlement. This could include any past or present owners of a property with either a PB Plumbing System, a PB Yard Service Line, or a PB Hot Water Heating System. Another defendant, E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company previously settled.
"This has been a major problem - especially in areas like British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec," says James M. Poyner, Partner, Poyner Baxter. "Both Shell Oil Company and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company have done the right thing and put the interests of Canadian consumers first."
Canadian property owners with PB systems who may be eligible, are encouraged to participate now as a 'member of the settlement class.' A new web site has been created to facilitate this process. Legal Notice, participant directions and all relevant forms can be found at www.polypipes.ca, by calling the Claims Administrator toll-free at 1-866-348-0333 or by contacting Class Counsel as noted at the conclusion of this information release.
Claim forms with supporting documentation must be mailed to the Claims Administrator, Suite 3-505, 133 Weber Street North, Waterloo Ontario N2J 3G9, postmarked no later than June 18, 2005. Those who are members of the settlement class, but do not wish to participate may be excluded by completing the opt-out form, postmarked before August 11, 2004.
Class Counsel includes representatives from the law firms Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler LLP, Siskinds, Desmeules, Avocats and Poyner Baxter. The settlement applies to the following legal proceedings:
Furlan v. Shell Oil Company, et al., No. C967236,
in the Supreme Court of British Columbia,
Gariepy v. Shell Oil Company, et al., No. 307981/99,
Ontario Superior Court of Justice,
Couture v. Shell Oil Company, et al., No. 200 06-000001-985,
Quebec Superior Court of Justice
About Polybutylene
PB Plumbing Systems are potable water supply systems containing plastic pipes made of PB and plastic or metal fittings. When used in the underground service from the water company to a structure, it is known as PB Yard Service Lines. PB Hot Water Heating Systems are indoor space heating systems that use PB pipe through which heated water circulates.
Additional Information and Questions for Class Counsel
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Do not contact the Courts about this notice or the proceedings. Please address requests for additional information and any questions to the appropriate Class Counsel:
British Columbia Quebec
James Poyner Claude Desmeules
Poyner Baxter Siskinds, Desmeules, Avocats
408-145 Chadwick 43, rue Buade, bureau 320
Court Quebec, Quebec G1R 4A2
North Vancouver, BC
V7M 3KI Tel: (418) 694-2009
Fax: (418) 694-0281
Tel: (604) 988-6321
Fax: (604) 988-3632 claude.desmeules(at)siskindsdesmeules.com
jim(at)poynerbaxter.com
Ontario and all other Provinces & Territories
(except British Columbia and Quebec)
Vicky Theodos
Siskind, Cromarty, Ivey & Dowler LLP
680 Waterloo Street
London, Ontario N6A 3V8
Tel: (519) 672-2121 ext.385
Fax: (519) 672-6065
For further information: All media inquiries should be directed to James
Poyner, Poyner Baxter, (604) 988-6321
Copyright (C) 2004 CNW, All rights reserved
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