Malkinson & Halpern, P.C. announced that a federal Court in Toledo, Ohio has granted final approval of additional class action partial settlements totaling $147.8 million to by paid by manufacturers of polyurethane foam on behalf of direct purchasers of their products. The settling defendants, Leggett & Platt, Inc. and Carpenter, collectively controlled a 38% share of the U.S. polyurethane foam market during the relevant period of 1999-2010.

The suit alleges that the defendant foam manufacturers conspired to allocate customers among themselves and to fix, raise and maintain the price of foam sold to direct purchasers. Polyurethane Foam is used as cushioning material in such products as furniture, bedding, packaging, and as carpet padding. The Court previously granted the plaintiffs class action status, enabling them to proceed on behalf of all direct purchasers nationwide.

Malkinson & Halpern, P.C. has had substantial participation in the prosecution of the lawsuit and its client, Adams Foam Rubber Co. of Chicago, IL, purchased over $20 million dollars of polyurethane foam during the relevant class period. The suit alleges that direct purchasers of polyurethane foam were overcharged due to the conspiracy. Trial is set to begin on March 31, 2015 against all remaining defendants.

Please contact Malkinson & Halpern, P.C. with any questions about the polyurethane foam litigation or if you wish to confidentially discuss information concerning other possible antitrust violations on products sold in the United States.