AdvoCare Class Action Settlement

Ranieri, et al. v. AdvoCare International, L.P.
Case No. 3:17-cv-00691

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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn How This Settlement Affects Your Rights and Get Answers to Your Questions About the Settlement

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Important Deadlines

Important Settlement Deadlines That Will Affect Your Rights

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Court Documents

If you were a Distributor associated with AdvoCare International, L.P. (“AdvoCare”) in the United States, you could get benefits from a class action settlement.

A settlement of the case has been proposed. Class Members may object to or opt-out of the settlement, and they may submit a claim to receive a cash payment that will be made in the event the court approves the settlement.

Your legal rights may be affected even if you do nothing.
Please read the Notice carefully.

● A former AdvoCare Distributor has brought a class action against AdvoCare alleging that AdvoCare operated a pyramid scheme contrary to federal law. AdvoCare denies the claims made in the lawsuit and denies that it violated the law or operated as a pyramid scheme. No trial has been held on the merits of any allegations against AdvoCare or AdvoCare’s defenses.

● The Court has ordered that this case proceed as a class action for the purposes of settlement. This means that Plaintiff represents a class of AdvoCare Distributors who paid fees, purchased a “distributor kit,” and/or purchased products from AdvoCare between March 9, 2013, and May 17, 2016, who lost money from their participation in the AdvoCare alleged scheme (as defined below), and whose distributorships were suspended without reinstatement or terminated (as defined below) by May 17, 2016. Distributors who meet this definition and do not opt out from membership in the Class are “Class Members” and individually each a “Class Member.” Excluded from the Class are Distributors who were not, at the time they were Distributors, residents of the United States or its territories or U.S. military stationed overseas.

● The Plaintiff has been appointed by the Court to represent the interests of the class. Certain attorneys—known as “Class Counsel”—have also been appointed by the Court to represent the class. AdvoCare and Plaintiff have recently entered into a Settlement Agreement, but the Settlement Agreement will not become effective until the Court approves it at a Fairness Hearing. The Court has scheduled the Fairness Hearing for 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) on May 21, 2021.

● At the Fairness Hearing, the Court will consider the fairness, reasonableness, and adequacy of the Settlement Agreement. The Court may also consider Class Counsel’s motion for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses and Plaintiff’s motion for a service award, which will be filed in advance of the Fairness Hearing. Class Counsel will request no more than $3,675,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses. Plaintiff will request no more than $20,000 as a service award.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT
MAIL OR EMAIL A CLAIMS FORM OR FILE A CLAIM ON THE CLASS WEBSITE This is the only way to receive any compensation. The deadline to submit a Claims Form is May 17, 2021.
EXCLUDE YOURSELF
FROM SETTLEMENT
Get no payment. This is the only option that allows you to ever be part of any other lawsuit against AdvoCare about the legal claims in this case. The postmark deadline to exclude yourself is April 30, 2021.
OBJECT Write to the Court about why you do not like the settlement. You MAY object to the Settlement Agreement and file a Claims Form. You MAY NOT object to the Settlement Agreement if you excluded yourself from the settlement. The deadline to object is April 30, 2021.
GO TO A HEARING The Court has set the Fairness Hearing on May 21, 2021 regarding the fairness of the Settlement Agreement. You may appear at the hearing, but don’t have to. You may hire your own attorney to appear for you.
DO NOTHING If the Settlement Agreement is approved and you do nothing, you will receive no compensation from the Settlement Agreement and you will be bound by the settlement terms and judgment and will not be able to later sue AdvoCare about the claims in this lawsuit. To receive payment, you must file a claim.