Human Interest

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Owners of residential furnaces manufactured before 2001 are urged to check whether they are covered by a proposed class action settlement that covers more than one million furnaces with faulty burners, heat exchangers, and/or expansion joints. The defects create a serious risk of fire and/or carbon monoxide leaks.

The settlement covers furnaces manufactured by Consolidated Industries under dozens of well-known brand/trade names. For details, including a list of furnaces covered by the settlement, visit http://www.consolidatedfurnacesettlement.com. For more information, call 1-888-286-8201.

As part of a $51.8 million nationwide class action settlement, qualifying current and former owners of covered furnaces (and other persons and companies with claims regarding these furnaces) may be eligible to receive a free or discounted inspection, a rebate on the purchase of a qualifying replacement furnace, a partial reimbursement for a prior replacement, and other potential benefits.

To request benefits under the settlement, complete a claim form (available at http://www.consolidatedfurnacesettlement.com) and return it by August 1, 2009.

An Indiana state court preliminarily approved the class action settlement. Because Consolidated Industries is in bankruptcy, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana conducted a two-day evidentiary hearing and also approved this settlement. The settlement fund and the potential settlement benefits are subject to available assets in the Consolidated bankruptcy estate.

The Tippecanoe County Superior Court for the State of Indiana will hold a final approval hearing on March 26, 2009.

SOURCE John G. Crabtree and Jeffrey L. Richardson