How to Claim Your Share of Apple’s $20 Million Watch Compensation
If you owned an Apple Watch between 2015 and February last year, chances are the company owes you a small payment. This is thanks to a recent $20 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over swollen batteries.
Apple denies all wrongdoing , saying in a statement sent to Lifehacker sister publication CNET that “we strongly disagree with the claims made against these early generation Apple Watch models.” However, rather than continue to pay legal fees, the company simply chooses to pay a lump sum and be done with it. Given that the lawsuit, Smith et al. The case against Apple Inc. lasted more than five years, this is understandable.
However, getting your part of the settlement may not be so easy. To qualify, you must have already taken action by reporting battery swelling to Apple on first-generation, Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3 Apple Watch models between April 24, 2015 and February 6, 2024. If this sounds like you, you don’t have to file a claim, but there are several steps you can take to ensure payment.
First, keep an eye out for an email or postcard notifying you of your right to payment. There will be a notification ID or confirmation code which you will then need to enter into the checkout website to update your payment information. You’ll have until April 10 to submit this information, and if you feel you should qualify but haven’t received notification, you can also call the settlement administrator’s toll-free number or address to get started. according to section 7 of the frequently asked questions on the calculation site .
Alternatively, if you would prefer to opt out of the settlement, which would preserve your right to file your own claim against Apple, you can do so by following the same process. Once the dust settles, class members can expect a payout of about $20 per affected watch, although details may vary depending on the number of people who update their payment information, with a maximum of $50 per affected watch.