Pet food recall claims may soon be paid

April 5, 2011

After a court decision today, claims filed because of the 2007 pet food recall look as if they’re finally going to be paid. From the Veterinary Information Network:

Four years after pet food contaminated by poisonous melamine killed and sickened tens of thousands of cats and dogs in North America, a court opinion issued today may open the door at last to payment of claims by owners of affected pets.

The opinion by Judge Noel Hillman in U.S. District Court in New Jersey was the last piece of court action required to put to rest appeals of a $24-million pet food settlement approved by Hillman in October 2008.

“I am hopeful that we can begin processing claims shortly,” said Lisa Rodriguez, liaison counsel for the multiple class-action suits covered by the settlement.

According to court documents, 24,344 claims were submitted by the Nov. 24, 2008, deadline. Of those, 20,550 have been deemed payable. The average claim is about $1,283. Allowed expenses included medical attention, lost wages, property damage and the price of replacement pets. The settlement covers claims by owners in the United States and Canada.

You’ll find the rest here.

It’s to be noted, too, that VIN posted the news even before PetFoodSettlement.com, the website set up to notify pet owners about the progress of the court case.

View the original article here