Download - UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF …plumbingfittingsettlement.com/Documents/Long Form Notice.pdf · plumbing system with brass crimp (F1807) fittings/ connectors sold

QUESTIONS? CALL 877-341-4602 OR VISITWWW.PLUMBINGFITTINGSETTLEMENT.COM

PAGE 1 of 12 K7071 v.005 10.24.2012

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA

If you own or owned a home or other structure that contains a plumbing system with brass crimp (F1807) fittings/

connectors sold by Zurn, you may qualify for benefits from a class action settlement.

This Notice may affect your rights please read it carefully.

• A settlement has been reachedwithZurnPex, Inc. andZurn IndustriesLLC (“Zurn”) about brass crimpfittings/connectorsmadeofcertainyellowbrassmanufacturedand/orsoldbyZurnbetween1996and2010(“F1807Fittings”).Thesettlementcoverspossiblefittingleaks,occlusion(blockagethatreduceswaterflow)anddamagecausedbyallegedcorrosionoftheF1807Fittings.ItdoesnotcoversystemsinstalledwithZurn’spolyalloyfittings,DZRfittings,ECObrassfittings,oranythingotherthananF1807yellowbrassfittingsoldbyZurn.

• Theclaimsprocesscreatedbythesettlementprovidescertaincapsonclaimpaymentsandanaggregatecaponoverallclaimpayments;anditimposestimelimitationsforthemakingofclaimsandforthemakingofrequeststobeexcludedfromthesettlement.

• Yourlegalrightsareaffectedwhetheryouactordonotact.ReadthisNoticecarefully.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT:

Submit A ClAim Form SubmitaClaimFormseekingcashpaymentand/orotherbenefits.

ExCludE YourSElFRequesttobeexcludedandgetnobenefitsfromthesettlement.ThisistheonlyoptionthatallowsyoutostartorcontinuealawsuitagainstZurnaboutcorrosion-relatedclaimsregardingF1807Fittings.

objECt WritetotheCourtaboutwhyyoudonotlikethesettlement.

Go to A HEArinG AsktospeakinCourtaboutthefairnessofthesettlement.

do notHinGGetnobenefits.GiveupyourrightstosueZurnforlegalclaimsregardingF1807Fittings.

• Theserightsandoptions—andthedeadlinestoexercisethem—areexplainedinthisNotice.• TheCourtinchargeofthiscasestillhastodecidewhethertoapprovethesettlement.Ifitdoes,andafteranyappealsare

resolved,benefitswillbedistributedtothosewhofileavalidandtimelyClaimForm.Pleasebepatient.Itisexpectedthattheapprovalprocesswilltakemonths,anditcouldtakeayearormore.


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What This Notice Contains

BASIC INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................................................ 31. WhyisthisNoticebeingprovided?2. Whatisthislawsuitabout?3. Whyisthisaclassaction?4. Whyisthereasettlement?

WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENT .................................................................................................................................................... 35. HowdoIknowifIampartofthesettlement?6. HowdoIknowifmyplumbingsystemcontainsZurn’sF1807Fittings?7. Arethereexceptionstobeingincluded?8. WhatifIamnotsurewhetherIamincludedinthesettlement?9. Whoiseligibletoseekbenefitsunderthesettlement?

THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS—WHAT YOU GET IF YOU QUALIFY ........................................................................................... 510. Whatarethebenefitsofthesettlement?

HOW TO GET A PAYMENT OR OTHER BENEFITS ..................................................................................................................... 611. WhatdoIneedtodotoparticipateinthesettlement?12. WhatisthedeadlineforsubmittingaClaimForm?13. HowandwhenwilltheClaimsAdministratorprocessclaimsforbenefits?14. WhatamIgivinguptogetapayment?

EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT .................................................................................................................. 815. IfIexcludemyself,canIgetanythingfromthissettlement?16. IfIdonotexcludemyself,canIsuelater?17. HowdoIgetoutofthesettlement?

THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU ........................................................................................................................................ 818. DoIhavealawyerinthecase?19. WhyisClassCounselrecommendingthesettlement?20. Howwilltheadministrativecostsandattorneys’feesbepaid?

OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT ............................................................................................................................................ 921. HowdoItelltheCourtifIdonotlikethesettlement?22. Whatisthedifferencebetweenobjectingandaskingtobeexcluded?

THE COURT’S FAIRNESS HEARING ........................................................................................................................................1023. WhenandwherewilltheCourtdecidewhethertoapprovethesettlement?24. DoIhavetocometothehearing?

GETTING MORE INFORMATION ..............................................................................................................................................1125. HowdoIgetmoreinformation?


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BASIC INFORMATION

1. Why is this Notice being provided?

ACourtauthorizedthisNoticebecauseyouhavearighttoknowaboutaproposedsettlementofthisclassactionlawsuitandaboutallofyouroptionsbeforetheCourtdecideswhethertogive“finalapproval”tothesettlement.ThisNoticeexplainsthelawsuit,thesettlement,yourlegalrights,whatbenefitsareavailable,whomaybeeligibleforthosebenefits,andhowtogetthem.JudgeAnnD.MontgomeryoftheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheDistrictofMinnesota,isoverseeingthisclassaction.Thesettlementresolvesthecasestransferredtothemulti-districtlitigationknownasIn re Zurn Pex Plumbing Products Liability Litigation,CaseNo.0:08cv01958,aswellasothercasesandclaimsallegingcorrosionorpotentialcorrosionofF1807Fittings,absentrequestsforexclusionasdescribedbelow.Thepersonswhosuearecalled“Plaintiffs,”andthecompaniesbeingsued,ZurnPex,Inc.andZurnIndustriesLLC,arecalled“Zurn.”

2. What is this lawsuit about?

ThelawsuitclaimsthatZurndesignedandsolddefectiveF1807Fittingsthatprematurelydegrade,leakandcausedamageasaresultofcorrosion.ItalsoclaimsthatthewarrantyZurnprovidedwiththeseF1807Fittingsshouldpayforrepairsrelatedtotheirallegedfailures.Thelawsuitasksformoneytobepaidtopeopleandentitiesthatownhomes,buildingsandstructuresthatcontainF1807Fittings.ItalsoseekstorequireZurntohonorfuturewarrantyclaimsfordamageresultingfromtheF1807Fittings.Zurndeniestheclaimsandallegationsinthelawsuit.ZurnmaintainsthatitsF1807Fittingsarenotdefectiveandfunctionproperlyinthevastmajorityofinstallations.Zurnfurthercontendsthatwhenfailuresoccur,theymaybecausedbysuchfactorsasinstallationissuesandcorrosivewaterconditions.Zurnfurthercontendsthatclaimsinthelitigationarebarredbythetermsofitswarranty.

3. Why is this a class action?

Inaclassaction,oneormorepeoplecalled“NamedPlaintiffs”or“ClassRepresentatives”(inthiscaseBeverlyBarnesandBrianJohnston,BridgetandPaulBohn,CharlesA.Breaux,Sr.,CoppersmithPlumbing,DeniseandTerryCox,KevinandChristaHaugen,RobertandCarrieHvezeda,DarlaandAnthonyKolker,JudithNicodemus,MichelleOelfke,andJodyandBrianMinnerath,BrendaandBrianRose,DonovanandAlyssaShaughnessy,andDonVtipil)sueonbehalfofpeoplewhohavesimilarclaims.AllofthesepeopleareSettlementClassMembers.OnecourtresolvestheissuesforallSettlementClassMembers,exceptforthosewhoexcludethemselvesfromthesettlementthroughtheprocessdescribedinSection17.

4. Why is there a settlement?

TheCourtdidnotdecideinfavorofPlaintiffsorZurn.Instead,bothsidesagreedtosettlethiscasetoavoidthecostandriskofatrial.ThesettlementdoesnotmeanthatanylawwasbrokenorthatZurndidanythingwrong.Zurndeniesalllegalclaimsinthiscase.NamedPlaintiffsandtheirlawyersthinkthesettlementisbestforallSettlementClassMembers.

WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENTToseeifyouwillbeaffectedbythesettlementorifyoucangetapaymentfromit,youfirsthavetodetermineifyouareaSettlementClassMember.

5. How do I know if I am part of the settlement?

ThesettlementincludesanypersonorentitywhoownsorownedabuildingorpropertycontainingbrasscrimpfittingsandconnectorsmanufacturedtoASTMstandardF1807andwhichweremadefromatypeofbrasscommonlyknownas“yellowbrass.”PeopleandentitiesthatpaidfordamageorrepairscausedbyaleakofaZurnF1807fittingorconnectormayalsofileaclaiminthissettlement.


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TheSettlementClassasapprovedbytheCourtisformallydefinedasfollows:AllPersonsthatownorhaveownedbuildings,homes,residencesoranyotherstructureslocated in theUnitedStates that containorhaveever containedF1807Fittings. AlsoincludedinthisclassareallsuchPersons’spouses,jointowners,heirs,executors,admin-istrators,mortgagees, tenants, creditors, lenders, predecessors, successors, subsequentownersoroccupants,trustsandtrustees,attorneys,agents,andassignsandallPersonswhohavevestedlegalrightssuchthattheyhavelegalstandingandareentitledtoassertaclaimonbehalfofsuchSettlementClassMembersforLeaksorOcclusions.InsurancecarriersaremembersoftheSettlementClassforLeaksandOcclusionsiftheypaidinsur-anceclaimsforLeaksorOcclusionspriortothedateofthePreliminaryApprovalOrderandtherebyobtainedlegallyvestedsubrogationrights.PersonswhoseekcontributionorindemnityfromtheZurnDefendantsonpastsettlementsofclaimswithSettlementClassMembersinvolvingLeaksorOcclusionsaremembersoftheSettlementClassforthoseLeaksandOcclusionsiftheypaidthosesettlementspriortothedateofthePreliminaryApprovalOrderandtherebyobtainedvestedlegalrightstopursuesuchcontributionorindemnityclaims.Totheextenttheremayinthefuturebe subrogated insurancecarriersorPersonswho seekcontributionor indemnity fromtheZurnDefendantsbecauseofvestingoflegalrightsthatoccursafterthedateofthePreliminaryApprovalOrder,theyshallnotbeSettlementClassMembers,buttherightsthattheytakethroughaSettlementClassMembershallbelimitedbyalloftheterms,timeperiods,releases,caps,nodoublerecoveriesandotherprovisionsofthissettlement.

6. How do I know if my plumbing system contains Zurn’s F1807 Fittings?

Zurn’syellowbrassF1807Fittings(knownasQestPEXCrimpSystem,Qicksertfittings,andQick/Sertinsertfittings)werestampedwith“Qpex”andcanbelocatedatjointsintheplasticpipe.Thepicturesbelowillustratewhatthebrassfittingsandstampslooklike.However,notallfittingsthatlooklikethisareincluded.Pleasenotethatthefittingsatissueinthislitigationarenolongersold.ZurnstoppedsellingF1807Fittingsin2010.VisitthesettlementwebsitetolearnmoreabouttheF1807Fittings.

7. Are there exceptions to being included?

Yes.Thefollowingarenotincludedinthesettlement:allpersonwhohavepreviouslysettledF1807Fittingclaims;thepresidingjudgeandherfamily;certainentitiesrelatedtoZurnandtheiremployeesandrepresentatives;andanyonewhotimelyrequeststobeexcludedfromtheClass(see“ExcludingYourselffromtheSettlement”below).

8. What if I am not sure whether I am included in the settlement?

IfyouarenotsurewhetheryouareintheSettlementClass,orhaveanyotherquestionsaboutthesettlement,visitthesettlementwebsite at www.plumbingfittingsettlement.com or call the toll free number, 877-341-4602. Youmay alsowritewithquestionstoZurnPexClaimsAdministrator,POBox3266,Portland,OR97208-3266,[email protected].


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9. Who is eligible to seek benefits under the settlement?

Tobeeligible toseekmoneybenefitsunder thesettlement,aSettlementClassMembermustownorhaveownedrealpropertycontainingplumbingsystemsthatcontainF1807Fittings:1. ThathasexperiencedatleastoneleakinaZurnF1807Fittingduetocorrosion,or2. Beabletodemonstratebywayofaflowtestthatadifferentialinwaterflow,resultingfromcorrosionofoneormore

F1807Fittingsmanufacturedand/orsoldbyZurn,ofmorethan50%betweenthehotandcoldlinesofoneormoresystemfixtures,unlessthosesystemswerenotusedincompliancewithapplicableinstallationanduseguidelinesandthelossisaresultofsuchnon-compliance.

Persons(includinginsurers)thathavepaidforthecostofdamageorrepairsrelatedtoaneligibleleakcausedbycorrosionofZurnF1807Fittingsandthathavelegalstandingtopursuesuchclaimsarealsoeligibletosubmitclaimsintheclaimsprocess.

THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS—WHAT YOU GET IF YOU QUALIFYIfthesettlementisapprovedandbecomesfinal,itwillprovidebenefitstoqualifiedSettlementClassMembers.

10. What are the benefits of the settlement?

ThefollowingbenefitsareavailabletoSettlementClassMembers:

PAYMENT OF PROPERTY DAMAGES DUE TO LEAKS Foreligibleclaimssubmittedforleaks,eitherthathavealreadyoccurredorthatoccurduringthesevenyearclaimsperiod,theClaimsAdministratorwillpayyouforupto60%ofdocumenteddamageresultingfromeachleak,subjecttoacapofOneHundredThousandDollars($100,000)perleak.Damagepaymentsforleaksdonotincludeanyclaimedeconomiclossessuchaslossofuseorlossofvalueoftheproperty,losttime,oranyindirectorconsequentialdamages.TheclaimeddamagemustbethedirectresultofaleakcausedbycorrosionofZurnF1807Fittings,andyoumusthavetakenreasonablestepstomitigate(i.e.limitorstop)theeffectsoftheleak.YoumustprovideproofofthepresenceoftheF1807Fittingsinthesubjectpropertyanddocumentationsufficienttosupporttheclaim(photographs,invoices,video,orothersupport)andestablishthattherootcauseoftheleakwascorrosionoftheZurnF1807Fittings.Claimsfiledwithoutsupportingdocumentationmaynotbepaid.

RE-PLUMBS OF STRUCTURES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE LEAKSIfyouownaSmallStructureorMediumStructure thathashad twoormore leaksprior toApril1,2020,oraLargeStructurethathashadfiveormoreleakspriortoApril1,2020,whoserootcausewascorrosionofF1807Fittings,youmayrequesttohaveyourplumbingsystemreplacedbyanapprovedcontractor.TheClaimsAdministratorwillpayyouupto60%ofthere-plumbcost,withthebalancetobepaidbyyoubeforetheworkisdone.ForSmallStructuresandMediumStructures,suchpaymentbytheClaimsAdministratorwillbesubjecttoacapofSevenThousandDollars($7,000)andwithinanoverallperclaimcap(meaningthecostofre-plumbplusthecostpaidduetotheleakthatledtothere-plumb)ofOneHundredThousandDollars($100,000). ForLargeStructures, thecapwillbeOneHundredThousandDollars($100,000)includingboththeamountspaidforthere-plumbandtheamountspaidasaresultofpropertydamagefromtheleakthatledtothere-plumb.The settlement allows for an approved third-partyRemediationContractor(s) to perform the re-plumbs. A list of theapprovedRemediationContractorscanbeviewedonthesettlementwebsite.Ifpossible,theRemediationContractor(s)willperformthisworkusingcurrentZurnPexplumbingsystemswithfittingsthatarenotF1807Fittings.IftheRemediationContractor(s)isunabletoperformthere-plumb,orifyoudonotwishtousetheRemediationContractortodotheworkordonotwishthere-plumbtobedonewithaZurnPexplumbingsystem,theClaimsAdministratorwillpayacontractorofyourchoosingacashequivalentoutofthesettlementfundequaltowhattheSettlementAgreementprovideswouldhavebeenpaidtotheRemediationContractorforthework.A“SmallStructure”isdefinedas10,000squarefeetorless;a“MediumStructure”isbetween10,000and20,000squarefeet;anda“LargeStructure”ismorethan20,000squarefeet.


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OCCLUSION CLAIMS DUE TO WATER FLOW DIFFERENTIALIfyoucurrentlyownastructurethathasorhadadifferentialinwaterflowbetweenthehotandcoldwatersuppliesrunningtothesamefixture,youareeligibleforremediation(eliminationoftheflowdifferential)ofthesystemifyouareabletodemonstratebywayofaflowtestthatadifferentialinwaterflowofmorethan50%betweenthehotandcoldlinesofoneormoresystemfixtures,existsasaresultofcorrosionofoneormoreF1807Fittings.For eligible current or future occlusion claims, the Claims Administrator will pay the Remediation Contractor thereasonable costs associatedwithperforming the repair or replacementof the affectedfitting(s) andpipenecessary torestorenormalwaterflow,uptoacapforSmallorMediumStructuresofSevenThousandDollars($7,000).ForLargeStructurestheper-claimcapisOneHundredThousandDollars($100,000).Remediationwillbeginwiththereplacementoffittingsatthewaterheater.Ifthisdoesnotrestorenormalwaterflowtothesystem,youwillbeeligibletorequestare-plumb,subjecttoacapofSevenThousandDollars($7,000)forSmallandMediumStructuresandOneHundredThousandDollars($100,000)forLargeStructures.Ifsuchocclusionshavealreadybeenrepaired,ClassMembersmayclaimforupto60%oftheremediationorre-plumbcoststhatwereincurred,subjecttothesameoverallcaps.

SETTLEMENT FUND AND CLAIMS PAYMENTZurnwillfundthesettlementinanamounttotalingnomorethan$20million(“aggregatecap”)overthesevenyearclaimsperiod,withfundingcappedatpaymentsof$3millionineachofthefirst6yearsofthesettlementand$2millionintheseventhyear.Claimsmadethatexceedagivenyear’scapwillbeheldoverandpaidfirstinthenextclaimsyear.ClassCounselandcounselfortheZurnDefendantsbelievethe$20millionfundwillbesufficienttopayalleligibleclaims.However,tobesurethatallclaimantswillbetreatedsimilarly,theinitialpaymentmadeforleaksandocclusionclaimswillbe60%oftheeligibleclaim.Afterclaimshavebeenreceived,ClassCounselandcounselfortheZurnDefendantswillasktheCourttoapprovesupplementalpaymentstoSettlementClassMembersbasedonaproratacalculationoftheclaimssubmitted.Ifanunexpectedlyhighlevelofclaimsoccurs,claimpaymentsmaytotallessthan60%ofthedamagecausedbytheleakorocclusion.TheactualtotalamountpaidforaleakofocclusionclaimwillnotbeknownuntildatafromtheclaimsexperienceisavailableandtheCourtapprovesthesupplementalclaimprocess.

HOW TO GET A PAYMENT OR OTHER BENEFITS

11. What do I need to do to participate in the settlement?

ToobtainanymoneybenefitsfromZurn,youmustfollowtheinstructionsontheClaimForm.AllClaimForms,togetherwithsupportingdocumentationor information,asapplicable,mustbemailedbyfirst-classUnitedStatesMail,postageprepaid,totheClaimsAdministrator:

ZurnPexClaimsAdministratorPOBox3266

PortlandOR97208-3266

YoucannotsubmityourClaimFormandaccompanyingmaterialsbytelephoneorontheInternet. IfyouchangeyouraddressandwanttoreceiveaClaimFormoranypaymentowedtoyoubyZurnatyournewaddress,youshouldnotifytheClaimsAdministratorofyournewaddressbyeither(i)visitingwww.plumbingfittingsettlement.comandprovidingyournewaddressor(ii)sendingwrittennoticeofyourchangeofaddresstotheClaimsAdministratorattheaddressabove.If you did not receive a Claim Form by mail, or if you need to obtain one or more additional Claim Forms, youcan get one in any of the following ways: (1) by downloading a Claim Form at the Claims Administrator’s website,www.plumbingfittingsettlement.com;(2)byrequestingaClaimFormbemailedtoyoubycallingtheClaimsAdministrator’stoll-freetelephonenumber,877-341-4602;or(3)byrequestingaClaimFormbemailedtoyoubywritingtotheZurnPexClaimsAdministrator,POBox3266,PortlandOR97208-3266.InsigningtheClaimForm,yousubmitunderpenaltyofperjury,whichmeansthatyouareswearingunderoaththatthestatementsyoumakeinyourformaretrue.Thesubmissionofafalseclaimmaybeacriminaloffense.


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12. What is the deadline for submitting a Claim Form?

ForaleakorocclusionthatoccursonorbeforeApril1,2013,SettlementClassMembersmustcompleteandsubmitaClaimFormnolaterthanApril1,2014(the“PastClaimsDeadline”).ForaleakorocclusionthatoccursafterApril1,2013,SettlementClassMembersmustcompleteandsubmitaClaimFormnolaterthantwelvemonthsafteraneligibleleakorocclusionoccurs.However,nofurtherclaimswillbeallowedafterApril1,2020(the“FutureClaimsDeadline”).

13. How and when will the Claims Administrator process claims for benefits?

Validation of Claims for Benefits. ForClaimFormssubmittedwithintheappropriateclaimsperiodsasnotedinparagraph12above,theClaimsAdministratorwillbeginreviewingallsuchClaimFormsandrequiredsupportingdocumentationif,followingtheFairnessHearing,theCourtgrantsfinalapprovaloftheClassSettlementand,afterentrybytheCourtoftheFinalApprovalOrderandtheJudgmenttherein,noNoticeofAppealoftheJudgmentoranyorderintheActionhasbeenfiled,thetimeprovidedforintheFederalRulesofAppellateProceduretotakeanysuchappealhasexpired,andanyrighttotakeanysuchappealhasbeenwaivedorotherwiselost,oreachsuchappealthathasbeentakenhasbeenfinallyadjudi-catedandtheJudgmentandFinalApprovalOrderhavebeenupheldinallrespectsbyeachsuchfinaladjudication.IfyoutimelysubmitaClaimForm,theClaimsAdministratorwillevaluateitbasedonalltheinformationanddocumentationyouhaveprovided.Ifyoufailtoprovideallinformation,documents,orphotographsrequiredbytheClaimForm,theClaimsAdministratorwillnotifyyouinwritingofyourfailuretodoso.Themissinginformation,documents,orphotographsmustbereceivedbytheClaimsAdministrator(orpostmarked)within30daysfromthepostmarkeddateofthatwrittennoticeofyourfailuretoprovideallnecessaryinformation,documents,orphotographs.Failuretocomplywillresultinadenialofyourclaim.Denial of Claims for Benefits. IfyourClaimFormandaccompanyingmaterialsdonotmeetalloftherequirementsofthesettlement,yourclaimwillbedeemedinvalid,theClaimsAdministratorwilldenyyourclaim,youwillnotreceiveanypayment,andyouwillbeinformedinwritingofthatdecision.DecisionsastowhethercorrosionwastherootcauseofaleakorocclusionmaybereferredtoanIndependentEngineeringConsultant,thecostofwhichwillbepaidbyZurn.A SpecialMaster will be available for a Settlement ClassMember to appeal a denial by the Claims Administrator.InstructionsforappealingadecisionoftheClaimsAdministratorwillbeprovidedwithalldeniedclaims.Payment of Validated Claims for Benefits.IfyousubmitaClaimFormseekingbenefitsunderthesettlement,andtheClaimsAdministratordeterminesthatyourClaimFormandaccompanyingmaterialspresentavalidclaimandsatisfytheeligibilitycriteriaoftheAgreement,theClaimsAdministratorwillissueapaymenttotheSettlementClassMember,ifappropriate,and/orwillarrangeforaRemediationContractortoremediateorre-plumbthePEXsystemifappropriateunderthetermsofthesettlement.Zurnreservestherighttoappealallclaimsvalidatedforpayment/re-plumb/remediationbytheClaimsAdministratortotheSpecialMaster.No Payment Until Appeal Exhaustion.IfanyNoticeofAppealfromtheFinalApprovalOrderortheJudgmentprovidedthereinistimelyfiledbyanyparty,objector,claimant,orotherperson,thesettlementwillnotbeorbecomefinaloreffective,ZurnwillhavenoobligationtomakeanypaymenttoanySettlementClassMember,andtheClaimsAdministratorwillmakenopaymenttoanySettlementClassMember,unlessanduntileachsuchappealhasbeenfinallyadjudicatedandtheFinalApprovalOrder,includingtheJudgmenttherein,hasbeenupheldinallrespectsbyeachsuchfinaladjudication.

14. What am I giving up to get a payment?

Ifthesettlementbecomesfinal,SettlementClassMemberswhosubmitaclaimordonothingatallwillbereleasingZurnfromalloftheReleasedClaims(includingfutureclaimsinvolvingcorrosionorpotentialcorrosionoftheF1807Fittings)describedandidentifiedinparagraphs89-99oftheSettlementAgreement.ThismeansyouwillnolongerbeabletosueZurnregardinganyoftheclaimsdescribedintheSettlementAgreement.TheSettlementAgreementisavailableathttp://www.plumbingfittingsettlement.com.TheSettlementAgreementprovidesmoredetailregardingthereleaseanddescribesthereleasedclaimswithspecificdescriptionsinnecessary,accurate,legalterminology,soreaditcarefully.YoucantalktothelawfirmsrepresentingtheSettlementClasslistedinthesection“TheLawyersRepresentingYou”forfreeoryoucan,atyourownexpense,talktoyourownlawyerifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthereleasedclaimsorwhattheymean.


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EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENTIfyoudonotwanttoparticipateinthisproposedsettlementandyouwanttokeeptherighttosueZurnaboutthelegalissuesinthiscase,thenyoumusttakestepstogetoutofthesettlement.Thisiscalledaskingtobeexcludedfrom,orsometimescalled“optingout”of,theSettlementClass.

15. If I exclude myself, can I get anything from this settlement?

No.Ifyouexcludeyourself,youmaynotapplyforanybenefitsunderthesettlementandyoucannotobjecttotheproposedsettlement.Ifyouasktobeexcluded,however,youmaysueorbepartofadifferentlawsuitagainstZurninthefuture.Youwillnotbeboundbyanythingthathappensinthisclassactionsettlement.

16. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue later?

Unlessyouexcludeyourself,yougiveuptherighttosueZurnforalloftheclaimsthatthesettlementresolves.YoumustexcludeyourselffromthisSettlementClasstostartorcontinueyourownlawsuitrelatingtotheclaimsinthiscase.

17. How do I get out of the settlement?

ToexcludeyourselffromthesettlementandSettlementClass,youmustsendtheClaimsAdministratorawrittenrequestthatcontainsthefollowinginformation:1. Yourfullname,currentaddressandtelephonenumber;2. Theaddressoftheproperty(ies)thatcontainorhavecontainedtheF1807Fittings;3. Astatementorgoodfaithestimateofthesquarefootageoftheproperty(ies);4. Ageneraldescriptionofthetypeofproperty(ies),e.g.,“singlefamilyresidence,”“highrisehotel,”etc.;5. ThedateyourF1807Fittingswereinstalled;6. ThedatethebuildingcontainingyourF1807Fittingswasconstructed;7. WhethertheF1807Fittingshavealreadyleaked;8. ThedatetheF1807Fittingsleaked;9. Agoodfaithestimateoftheamountofdamages,ifany,youwillbeclaimingagainstZurn;and10. Yoursignature(evenifrepresentedbyanattorney)andthedateonwhichyousignedit.

Youmustmailyourcompletedrequestforexclusion,postmarkedbyJanuary 29, 2013to:

ZurnPexClaimsAdministratorPOBox3266

PortlandOR97208-3266

If you do not comply with these procedures and the deadline for exclusions, you will remain a Settlement Class Member and lose any opportunity to exclude yourself from the settlement, and your rights will be determined in this lawsuit by the Settlement Agreement, if it receives final judicial approval.Youcannotasktobeexcludedonthephone,byemail,oratthewebsite.

THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU

18. Do I have a lawyer in the case?

TheCourtdesignatedShawnRaiterandhislawfirmLarsonKingLLPasLeadClassCounsel.TheCourtdesignatedotherattorneystorepresentyourinterestsandafulllistofthoseattorneyscanbeviewedatwww.plumbingfittingsettlement.comYouwillnotbechargedfortheselawyers.Ifyouwanttoberepresentedbyyourownlawyerinthiscase,youmayhireoneatyourownexpense.


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IfyouchoosetoparticipateinthesettlementanddonotexcludeyourselffromtheSettlementClassinthemannerdescribedaboveinparagraph17,youwillbedeemedbytheCourttobea“SettlementClassMember.”AsaSettlementClassMemberyouwillberepresentedbyClassCounsel,butwillnotbechargedfortheservicesofClassCounsel.IfyouwishtoremainaSettlementClassMember,butyoudonotwish toberepresentedbyClassCounsel,youmayhireyourownattorneytorepresentyou,oryourmayalsoappearonyourownbehalf.Ifyouhireyourownattorney,yourattorneymustfileanappearancenolaterthanJanuary 29, 2013,withtheClerkoftheCourt,andmustsendacopy,byfirst-classUnitedStatesMail,toClassCounselandZurn’scounselattheaddressesprovidedbelow,postmarkednolaterthanJanuary 29, 2013.IfyoudonotexcludeyourselffromtheClassSettlement,youwillcontinuetobeaSettlementClassMember,evenifyouarerepresentedbyyourownattorney.Youwillberesponsibleforanyfeesandcostschargedbyyourownattorney.

19. Why is Class Counsel recommending the settlement?

ClassCounsel reached this settlementafterweighing the risksandbenefits to theSettlementClassof this settlementcomparedwiththoseofcontinuingthelitigation.ThefactorsthatClassCounselconsideredincludedtheuncertaintyanddelayassociatedwithcontinuedlitigation,atrialandappeals,andtheuncertaintyofparticularlegalissuesthathavebeen,orareyettobe,determinedbytheCourt.ClassCounselbalancedtheseandothersubstantialrisksindeterminingthatthesettlementisfair,reasonable,andadequateinlightofallcircumstancesandinthebestinterestsofmembersoftheSettlementClass.

20. How will the administrative costs and attorneys’ fees be paid?

Zurnagreedtopaythecostsofclassnoticeandclaimsadministration,includingthecostsofmailingthisNoticeandofdistributinganypaymentsowedtoSettlementClassMemberspursuanttothesettlement.IfthesettlementisapprovedbytheCourt,ClassCounselwillapplytotheCourtforreasonableattorneys’feesandexpensesofnomorethan8.5milliondollarstobeawardedbytheCourtandtobepaidbyZurn.Also,ClassRepresentativeswhoweredeposedduringthelitigationwillreceiveapaymentof$7,500eachandClassRepresentativeswhowerenotdeposedwillreceiveapayment$5,000eachfortheireffort,service,timeandexpenses.SettlementClassMemberswillnotberesponsibleforthefeesandexpensesofClassCounsel,andthepaymentofattorneys’feesandexpenseswillnotreducethebenefitstoSettlementClassMembers.Zurnwillnotberesponsibleforanycostthatmaybeincurredby,onbehalfof,oratthedirectionoftheSettlementClassMembers,theircounsel,orClassCounselin(a)respondingtoinquiresaboutthesettlement,theAgreement,orthelawsuit;(b)defendingtheAgreementorthesettlementagainstanychallengetoit;(c)defendingagainstanychallengetoanyorderorjudgmententeredpursuanttothesettlementortheAgreement;or(d)completingtheclaimsprocess.ZurnwillpaythecostsoftheSpecialMasterandIndependentEngineeringConsultant.

OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT

21. How do I tell the Court if I do not like the settlement?

If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you may, if you wish, object to the certification of theSettlementClass,tothetermsoftheproposedsettlement,ortoClassCounsel’sapplicationforanawardofattorneys’feesandexpenses.Todoso,youoryourownattorneymustprovidewrittennoticeoftheobjectionviafirstclassmailtoLeadClassCounselandZurn’scounselandpostmarkednolaterthanJanuary 29, 2013withthefollowinginformation:1. ThenameofthislawsuitIn re Zurn Pex Plumbing Products Liability Litigation,CaseNo.0:08cv01958;2. Yourfullname,currentaddressandtelephonenumber;3. Whether,onthedateofyourwrittenobjection,youownahomeorformerlyownedahomecontainingasystemwith

F1807Fittings;4. Theaddressoftheproperty(ies)thatmaycontainorhavecontainedtheF1807Fittings;5. Theexactnatureoftheobjections,thefactsunderlyingtheobjection,andwhetherornotyouintendtoappearatthe

FinalFairnessHearing;


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6. Allevidenceandsupportingpapers(including,butnotlimitedto,allbriefs,writtenevidence,anddeclarations)thatyouwanttheCourttoconsiderinsupportofyourobjection;

7. Yoursignature(evenifyouarerepresentedbyanattorney);and8. Thedateofyoursignature.IfyouwishtoappearattheFairnessHearing,onyourownbehalforbyyourseparatecounsel,andbeheardorally,youmaydosoonlyifyoufileaNoticeofAppearancewiththeCourtandtheClaimsAdministratorthatspecifies,indetail,thesub-jectsonwhichyouwishtobeheard,withcopiesoftheNoticeofAppearanceservedonClassCounselandZurn’scounselbyfirst-classUnitedStatesMail,postmarkednolaterthanJanuary 29, 2013.ThecopiestobeservedonClassCounselandZurn’scounselmustbemailedtothefollowingaddresses:

Class Counsel Counsel For Zurn

ShawnM.RaiterLarsonKingLLP30EastSeventhStreetSuite2800St.Paul,MN55101

JamesA.O’NealDanielJ.ConnollyAmyR.FitermanFaegreBakerDanielsLLP2200WellsFargoCenter90SouthSeventhStreetMinneapolis,MN55402

Ifyouchoosetoobjecttothesettlement,youmustalsomakeyourselfavailablefordepositionwithin21daysofserviceofyourobjectionandmakethesubjectpropertyavailableforinspection.If you do not comply with these procedures and the deadline for objections, you will lose any opportunity to have your objection considered at the Fairness Hearing or otherwise to contest the approval of the settlement or to appeal from any order or judgment entered by the Court in connection with the settlement.

22. What is the difference between objecting and asking to be excluded?

ObjectingissimplytellingtheCourtthatyoudonotlikesomethingaboutthesettlement.YoucanobjectonlyifyoustayintheSettlementClass.ExcludingyourselfistellingtheCourtthatyoudonotwanttobepartoftheSettlementClass.Ifyouexcludeyourself,youcannotobjecttothesettlementandyouwillnotbeeligibletoapplyforanybenefitsunderthesettlementbecausethecasenolongeraffectsyou.

THE COURT’S FAIRNESS HEARING

23. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the settlement?

OnFebruary 25, 2013,at9:00am,theCourtwillholdapublichearinginCourtroom13WoftheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheDistrictofMinnesota,locatedattheU.S.Courthouse,MinneapolisBuilding,300SouthFourthStreet,202U.S.Courthouse,Minneapolis,Minnesota,55415,todeterminewhethertheSettlementClasswasproperlycertifiedandwhetherthesettlementisfair,adequate,andreasonableandshouldbefinallyapproved,withjudgmententeredaccordingly.TheCourtalsowillconsiderClassCounsel’sapplicationforanawardofattorneys’feesandexpensereimbursementandanyoppositionthereto.ThishearingmaybecontinuedorrescheduledbytheCourtwithoutfurthernoticetotheSettlementClass.SettlementClassMemberswhosupportthesettlementdonotneedtoappearatthehearingortakeanyotheractiontoindicatetheirapprovalofthesettlement.SettlementClassMemberswhoobjecttothesettlementarenotrequiredtoattendtheFairnessHearing.Ifyouwanttobeheardorallyinoppositiontothesettlement,eitherpersonallyorthroughyourownseparatecounsel,youmuststateinyourwrittenobjectionyourintentiontoappearattheFairnessHearingassetforthaboveinparagraph21.


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24. Do I have to come to the hearing?

No.ClassCounselwillansweranyquestionstheCourtmayhave.However,youarewelcometoattendthehearingatyourownexpense.Ifyousendinawrittenobjection,youdonothavetocometotheFairnessHearingtotalkaboutit.Aslongasyoumailedyourwrittenobjectionontime,theCourtwillconsiderit.YoumayalsopayyourownlawyertoattendtheFairnessHearing,buttheirattendanceisnotnecessary.

GETTING MORE INFORMATION

25. How do I get more information?

ThisNoticesummarizestheproposedsettlement.MoredetailsareintheSettlementAgreement.YoucanviewacopyoftheSettlementAgreementandreadalistofFrequentlyAskedQuestionsatwww.plumbingfittingsettlement.com.YoumayalsowritewithquestionstoZurnPexClaimsAdministrator,POBox3266,PortlandOR97208-3266orsendane-mailtoinfo@plumbingfittingsettlement.com.YoucangetaClaimFormatthewebsite,orhaveaClaimFormmailedtoyoubycalling877-341-4602.IfyouwishtocommunicatedirectlywithClassCounsel,youmaycontactthemattheaddresslistedaboveinparagraph21,orbye-mailatsraiter@larsonking.com.Youmayalsoseekadviceandguidancefromyourownprivateattorneyatyourownexpense.PLEASE DO NOT WRITE OR TELEPHONE THE COURT, ZURN, OR ANY ZURN SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLASS SETTLEMENT OR THIS LAWSUIT.


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