Big Ass Fans Settles for $450,000 Over False COVID-19 Claims
Big Ass Fans, a Kentucky-based manufacturer, has agreed to pay $450,000 in penalties and restitution to settle allegations of false advertising related to its “clean air products.” These products were marketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as capable of eliminating 99.99% of the virus that causes COVID-19 within 20 to 60 minutes. The settlement was announced by district attorneys from 11 California counties, including Monterey and Santa Cruz. countyofmonterey.gov
The company claimed that its ceiling fan attachments, utilizing ultraviolet germicidal irradiation or ionization technology, could effectively neutralize pathogens in both air and on surfaces. However, investigations reportedly found insufficient evidence to support these claims, deeming them unachievable in real-world scenarios. As part of the settlement, Big Ass Fans is prohibited from making false or misleading marketing claims in the future. ksbw.com
Consumers who purchased these “clean air products” in California on or before April 24, 2021, will receive a combined total of over $220,000 in restitution. Those who bought the products after that date through the date of judgment will receive a combined total of over $102,000. countyofmonterey.gov
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that while technologies like bipolar ionization are marketed to help remove viruses from the air or disinfect surfaces, they are considered emerging technologies with limited research available outside of laboratory conditions. countyofmonterey.gov
Call to Action
If you purchased Big Ass Fans’ “clean air products” based on their advertised claims, you might be entitled to restitution or other legal remedies. Our law firm is dedicated to protecting consumers from deceptive marketing practices. Contact us today to discuss your rights and potential compensation.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you purchased Big Ass Fans’ “clean air products” based on their advertised claims, you can contact the attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page.