Class Action FAQs

The first step in a class action is for the court to decide which law firm is allowed to proceed. This is called “carriage”. This step can be avoided if all of the law firms agree to work together. We are at this step. We had agreed to work with all of the firms that filed when the recall happened. Unfortunately, another firm decided to file several months after that, and will not cooperate with us, so we have to argue carriage.

The next step is for the court to decide whether we are allowed to represent the entire class. This is called “certification”. To succeed at this stage, we will have to show that our claims have merit, and that each class member’s situation is similar enough that they can all be decided together.

The next step is to either negotiate a settlement and get it approved by the court, or proceed to a common issues trial. If we get a settlement or a judgment in our favour at a common issues trial, then we will reach out to class members to let them know how they can claim their portion of the amount recovered.

Unfortunately, class actions move at a glacial pace. We will do everything we can to push this case forward as fast as possible, but it will likely take us many years to get you the compensation you deserve.

Class members do not pay us anything directly. Rather, if we succeed, we will seek a fraction of the settlement amount or damages awarded. That amount will have to be approved by the court. If we fail, then we get nothing.

Philips has announced that it will replace the recalled devices by the end of 2023. The announcement is available at this link (Philips Announcement). This is way too long and unfair to class members, but there is nothing that we can do to make Philips speed up the process.

Some retailers have already started offering replacement devices to select customers.

If Philips or your dealer offers you a replacement device, feel free to take it. Receiving a replacement device, in and of itself, will not disqualify you from participating in the class action. However, if you accept a replacement device, ensure that:

• You do not sign a release of your claims;
• You keep the tubing of your old device; and
• You keep the memory card of your old device.

For instructions on how to remove the memory device, follow this link (Memory Card Instructions). Failure to do any of those could prevent you from recovering the maximum damages available to you.

Send us the release they want you to sign. We will advise you on how to proceed.

You are a class member if:

• You live anywhere in Canada; and
• You purchased or used one of the recalled devices, or your relative passed away from using one of the recalled devices.

The list of recalled devices is on Our Homepage.

Sorry for your loss. If the deceased lived in Canada and passed away because they used a recalled device, then yes, the estate is a class member.

We are seeking all types of damages, including:

• Emotional distress
• Financial harms (medical expenses, purchase price of the device and accessories, price of replacements)
• Health harms (health consequences, loss of income from health consequences, reduced life expectancy)
• Lack of access to a device while waiting for a replacement

First, sign up for our mailing list at this link. We will send out updates as we get them to people who have signed up.

Second, find and store in a safe place:

• Any receipts for the recalled devices
• Any receipts for devices you purchase to replace a recalled device
• Any receipts for medical services that you had to pay for out-of-pocket as a result of using the recalled devices

Please do not send those to us. We do not need that information until after we have won a common issues trial or gotten a settlement approved by the court.

Besides those two things, there is nothing else you can do while waiting

No. Please do not send us your medical information. We do not need that information until after we have won a common issues trial or gotten a settlement approved by the court.

The science with respect to the recalled devices is evolving, so we do not know for sure which symptoms are caused by the recalled devices. At present, there is some indication that the following health issues may be related to the recalled devices:

• Cancer (blood, lung, lymph node, thyroid)
• Damage to organs (liver, lung, kidney)
• Digestive problems (nausea, vomiting)
• Eye problems (burning, irritation, itchiness, redness)
• Mental problems (dizziness, headaches, hypersensitivity, vertigo)
• Respiratory problems (acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, chest pressure, coughing, irregular breathing, nose irritation, pleural effusion, reactive airway disease, respiratory failure, shortness of breath, sinus infections, throat irritation)
• Skin problems (irritation, itchiness, lesions)

Concerns have been raised recently about the DreamStation 2. See this ProPublica article for more details. It is unclear at this time whether they are safe.

This is a medical question that we are not qualified to answer. Talk to a medical professional.