The following information describes the U.S. settlement regarding Philips CPAP machines litigation and it has a lot in common to the ongoing European class action proceedings which are being heard by the tribunal in Milan.

Key Updates on the U.S. Settlement:

Settlement Amount: Philips has agreed to a total settlement of $1.050 billion to resolve personal injury claims linked to its recalled respiration and sleep apnea machines. This settlement was announced on April 29, 2024.

Another 25 million $ are also established in a fund whose aim is to investigate the effects of the exposure on patients: it is called medical monitoring and it has been settled by Philips, too.

Scope of Claims: the settlement specifically addresses personal injury claims arising from the recall of millions of devices sold in the USA, primarily due to health hazards associated with degraded foam that users could inhale. It does not cover economic loss claims, which were previously settled for $494 million.

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the settlement, claimants must be U.S. citizens who have suffered health issues related to their use of the recalled devices. “Qualifying injuries” are those personal injuries out of a list of 31, that Philips is compensating.

Payout Timeline: Philips is expected to begin disbursing settlement funds in 2025, with specific amounts awarded based on individual claims and a certain number of general variables applied.

Creation of the Respironics Settlement Website: The Respironics Settlement Website was established to provide comprehensive information regarding the settlement process, including updates on eligibility, claim forms, and important dates.

The website serves as a resource for claimants and their lawyers to access relevant medical information and guidance about rights and options.

No Admission of Liability: as part of the settlement agreement, Philips does not admit any fault or liability for the reported injuries associated with its devices. This does not mean that there is no causation or liability: it is a standard practice in any settlement, small or big it may be.

This information is crucial for understanding the scope and implications of the U.S. settlement, particularly as it provides strong insights into the similarities we might expect in the European legal proceedings.