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Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Tells Consumers to Be on Lookout for LCD Settlement Checks(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) CHARLESTON, W.Va., Oct. 30 -- The West Virginia Attorney General issued the following news release: Attorney General Patrick Morrisey today announced that West Virginia consumers who filed valid claims related to the purchase of liquid crystal display (LCD) laptops, monitors, and TVs should be on the lookout for settlement checks stemming from an antitrust price-fixing lawsuit that was resolved in 2012. Consumers who purchased products with LCD screens between Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2006, and who filled out valid claims may receive a check. According to the settlement, claimants will receive $43.49 for each computer monitor or laptop claimed and $86.98 for each LCD TV. All told, West Virginia consumers and businesses will collectively receive approximately $912,000 in settlement checks. The checks are expected to be mailed within the next few days. "These settlement checks are a long-time coming for citizens of West Virginia who may have paid higher prices for LCD screens and monitors due to alleged price fixing by some of the largest LCD manufacturers," Attorney General Morrisey said. "Regardless of their reasoning, businesses cannot work together to artificially inflate prices of any commodity. Because of actions by some manufacturers, the free market system that this nation enjoys was not able to work in the way in which it is intended." Consumers will receive different checks based on the type of claims filed. For example, a West Virginia consumer who claimed one laptop, one desktop monitor and one television would receive a check for $173.96. "Our Office was pleased to join with other state attorneys general on this case," Morrisey said. "When companies engage in price-fixing, it raises costs to consumers and creates an uneven playing field for businesses." Attorneys general representing Arkansas, California, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin joined private purchaser lawyers in a lawsuit that alleged manufacturers of thin film transistor liquid- crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels conspired to prevent competition and increase prices. The states, consumers and companies reached the $1.1 billion multi-state settlement in 2012. TNS 30TacordaCheng-141031-4920478 30TacordaCheng (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |