U.S. Apple Watch owners who filed to receive a payment from a lawsuit settlement over swollen batteries are starting to report receiving their money this week. Several Redditors report they have received notice of payment, which is in the form of a prepaid MasterCard.
Apple agreed in January of this year to pay $20 million to settle a 2021 class-action lawsuit that alleged that early Apple Watch models had a defect in their battery that caused swelling of the battery, leading to display screens to cracking or detaching completely.
The lawsuit’s plaintiffs claimed that Apple manufactured the watch in a way that allows the lithium cobalt oxide battery in the wearable to contact the watch screen. When the battery swells it can cause the display to pop up. Where the display is damaged by the battery, “razor-sharp edges” are exposed, which could lead to injury.
Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 owners had until April 10 to submit claims, but anyone who had reported a battery swelling issue to Apple was automatically eligible for a payment.
As mentioned above, payments are being distributed in the form of a prepaid Mastercard. Notice of the payment comes in the form of an email about the Smith et.al v. Apple Inc. Settlement with an included prepaid card. Apple Watch owners were supposed to receive at least $20 minimum with the possibility of receiving more based on the number of claims. One Reddit user said they received a little over $25.
