HillRom - The Vest Company's Law Suit

[Landy]

Here's just "my opinion" on the Vest from the get go.
There is no way in he** that it costs them $15,000 or whatever the going rate is now for an air compressor & some vacuum hose that often times don't even stay connected (from what I've heard). Maybe this law suit will be good for them and force them to bring the price down to a reasonable amount. Granted, I don't want them to go out of business or anything, but they need to be reasonable.
They probably are making money hand over fist on these things and that's why they can give free ones out & mail them overseas, etc. I'm glad that they do provide free ones to folks w/CF that can't afford one or don't have insurance, but I still wonder how much gross profit they are making from the sales of the vest even taking into consideration the freebies they give out??
Again, just my opinion.

 

[Landy]

Here's just "my opinion" on the Vest from the get go.
There is no way in he** that it costs them $15,000 or whatever the going rate is now for an air compressor & some vacuum hose that often times don't even stay connected (from what I've heard). Maybe this law suit will be good for them and force them to bring the price down to a reasonable amount. Granted, I don't want them to go out of business or anything, but they need to be reasonable.
They probably are making money hand over fist on these things and that's why they can give free ones out & mail them overseas, etc. I'm glad that they do provide free ones to folks w/CF that can't afford one or don't have insurance, but I still wonder how much gross profit they are making from the sales of the vest even taking into consideration the freebies they give out??
Again, just my opinion.

 

[NoExcuses]

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[NoExcuses]

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[2005CFmom]

My understanding of class action lawsuits is that usually only the lawyers win. The people effected by it get some token of award and the lawyers get millions. The company losses millions and guess what.........we end up paying for it again.
A couple years ago I remember being sent a class action letter about my cell phone company and did nothing, so I guess I ended up being a part of the suit. Well, we did win, the lawyers recieved millions, we recieved a coupon for 25% off the purchase of accessories! So unless you feel that you have a reason, I would suggest not being a part of it.
Sorry to any lawyers out there, I know you all aren't like this.

 

[2005CFmom]

My understanding of class action lawsuits is that usually only the lawyers win. The people effected by it get some token of award and the lawyers get millions. The company losses millions and guess what.........we end up paying for it again.
A couple years ago I remember being sent a class action letter about my cell phone company and did nothing, so I guess I ended up being a part of the suit. Well, we did win, the lawyers recieved millions, we recieved a coupon for 25% off the purchase of accessories! So unless you feel that you have a reason, I would suggest not being a part of it.
Sorry to any lawyers out there, I know you all aren't like this.

 

[CowTown]

Hi Teri,

I see your point in this and because I don't feel effected by what happened I'm open to thinking about not being a part of it. The only thing with that though is that if there are say 1 million people in the Class as a group and all drop out, then that leaves 100% of the monetary settlement to go straight to the lawyers. The sound of that is pretty sickening to me too, because although they may be making the whole legality of this happen for the better (or worse), lawsuits are suppose to be all about the people or the effected. Anyways...........my thought is that whether people object to being part of this or not, there will be an amount paid out if they're found guilt and this is approved. Whether 1 million people stay involved or if they all object, the outcome will be the same. It's way above of us. I would never want a company that has been super to us as a CF group to suddenly become timid of further our therapy needs. Apparently, what they've done has already been seen as potentially illegal and the judgements will be made in June. I don't see how our opinions of this company has anything to do with their outcome. Just a thought.

 

[CowTown]

Hi Teri,

I see your point in this and because I don't feel effected by what happened I'm open to thinking about not being a part of it. The only thing with that though is that if there are say 1 million people in the Class as a group and all drop out, then that leaves 100% of the monetary settlement to go straight to the lawyers. The sound of that is pretty sickening to me too, because although they may be making the whole legality of this happen for the better (or worse), lawsuits are suppose to be all about the people or the effected. Anyways...........my thought is that whether people object to being part of this or not, there will be an amount paid out if they're found guilt and this is approved. Whether 1 million people stay involved or if they all object, the outcome will be the same. It's way above of us. I would never want a company that has been super to us as a CF group to suddenly become timid of further our therapy needs. Apparently, what they've done has already been seen as potentially illegal and the judgements will be made in June. I don't see how our opinions of this company has anything to do with their outcome. Just a thought.

 

[NoExcuses]

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[NoExcuses]

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[AmyKins]

I got one too, but I didnt pay a cent for my vest my insurance did, so I don't think it would effect me, but I did get the letter.

 

[AmyKins]

I got one too, but I didnt pay a cent for my vest my insurance did, so I don't think it would effect me, but I did get the letter.

 

[julie]

For those of you (My husband included) who recieved the vest through insurance, I can only *think* that the reason you might be involved in the settlement would be because A. you pay a premium for your insurance (or copay or something of the like)
or B. it is a benefit of your work, for the time you put into your job and even though you may not pay premiums-you still work for your coverage.

Thanks for the website kelly, I will check it out-I am curious.

 

[julie]

For those of you (My husband included) who recieved the vest through insurance, I can only *think* that the reason you might be involved in the settlement would be because A. you pay a premium for your insurance (or copay or something of the like)
or B. it is a benefit of your work, for the time you put into your job and even though you may not pay premiums-you still work for your coverage.

Thanks for the website kelly, I will check it out-I am curious.

 

[CowTown]

Sorry Julie, but those ideas don't apply to me. I don't pay a premium for my insurance and it's not a benefit from my work. I still don't have a clue....Hmmm. Someone will figure it out I'm sure.

 

[CowTown]

Sorry Julie, but those ideas don't apply to me. I don't pay a premium for my insurance and it's not a benefit from my work. I still don't have a clue....Hmmm. Someone will figure it out I'm sure.

 

[anonymous]

Kelly,
I definately see your point. I did briefly read the settlement agreement (using the link someone from above provided) although I am in no way a legal expert (or even a novice) one thing jumped out at me. Found on page 13,"Termination by Defendents". It appears that if a certain undisclosed percentage of people "opt-out", this settlement may be terminated. Also, for every one that opts out, the settlement amount lessens. Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is what it appears to be saying. So it would be my opinion that enough people did "opt-out" it could definately save the company alot of money. So it does not appear completely out of our hands yet. I would just like to say that if you personally don't feel that you were wronged by the company, to go ahead and opt out. We don't have the vest, but are hoping to get one. I have heard nothing but good things about the company. But I just think we should support a company that is atleast doing something to help with CF.

Teri
2005CFmom (sorry not logged in)

 

[anonymous]

Kelly,
I definately see your point. I did briefly read the settlement agreement (using the link someone from above provided) although I am in no way a legal expert (or even a novice) one thing jumped out at me. Found on page 13,"Termination by Defendents". It appears that if a certain undisclosed percentage of people "opt-out", this settlement may be terminated. Also, for every one that opts out, the settlement amount lessens. Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is what it appears to be saying. So it would be my opinion that enough people did "opt-out" it could definately save the company alot of money. So it does not appear completely out of our hands yet. I would just like to say that if you personally don't feel that you were wronged by the company, to go ahead and opt out. We don't have the vest, but are hoping to get one. I have heard nothing but good things about the company. But I just think we should support a company that is atleast doing something to help with CF.

Teri
2005CFmom (sorry not logged in)

 

[mustangmousa]

Just to add my 2 cents...even if you did decide to be a member of the settlement group, like someone said before, you would probably get like 5 bucks or some infinitely small amount that would be of no big help to you financially. Also, unless you have had a problem with the Vest company, why hurt them? Yes, maybe they have overcharged for the Vest, but unless you are paying it out of your pocket, it shouldn't hurt you. I think they are an awesome company. My insurance has NEVER paid for my vest and I have had one since 1995. They even sent me the smaller one when it came out and sent me a new one when it quit working. FOR FREE. I have never paid a dime to them. If this lawsuit goes through, then I bet they won't do anything like that and it would be at a detriment to US. Just my opinion though.

 

[mustangmousa]

Just to add my 2 cents...even if you did decide to be a member of the settlement group, like someone said before, you would probably get like 5 bucks or some infinitely small amount that would be of no big help to you financially. Also, unless you have had a problem with the Vest company, why hurt them? Yes, maybe they have overcharged for the Vest, but unless you are paying it out of your pocket, it shouldn't hurt you. I think they are an awesome company. My insurance has NEVER paid for my vest and I have had one since 1995. They even sent me the smaller one when it came out and sent me a new one when it quit working. FOR FREE. I have never paid a dime to them. If this lawsuit goes through, then I bet they won't do anything like that and it would be at a detriment to US. Just my opinion though.