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Despite his massive
number of clients, Coleman represents them in litigation in which
each has more at stake than a $1.50 movie rental. For example:
AK Steel
In 2012, AK Steel – a world leader in the production of flat-rolled carbon, stainless, and electrical steel products that operates eight steel plants in six states – unilaterally made changes to the health and welfare benefits of many of its retirees. The company’s action breached a labor agreement and violated the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act (ERISA) by its ending of no-cost medical coverage.
One result was a more than 17 percent increase in retiree premiums. Coleman’s law firm won a $15.8 million settlement from the company that ensured retirees kept their lower premiums for three more years and set aside a trust fund to continue to provide health and welfare benefits to them.
The previous year, Coleman was lead trial counsel as part of a team of attorneys who won a $178.6 million settlement against the company’s Western Pennsylvania plant in another case that involved ERISA violations.
Almost as much as the victory, Coleman is pleased to recall the words of the presiding judge in the $178.6 million settlement. Judge Black opined in his ruling that the class
has been enormously well represented by the attorneys in this complex and demanding case involving a great deal of work. He added that the “end result occurred largely, if not fully, due to the diligence, determination, and hard work of plaintiffs’ counsel, who were vigorously contested, as the company was represented by extraordinary lawyers.”
It was the largest ERISA settlement for the year.
Electrolux Home Products
More recently in 2014, as part of a $35.5 million minimum value class-action settlement with plaintiffs represented by Coleman’s firm, Electrolux Home Products was forced to reimburse consumers $1,300 each for lint-based fires that occurred because defective dryers did not properly vent clothing lint. Instead, the lint accumulated unseen around the drying element where it was prone to dangerous combustion. Besides fire damage reimbursement, the company also agreed to rebate consumers $350 (maximum) toward the purchase of replacement dryers.
Lumber Liquidators
In March Sixty Minutes aired a piece on Lumber Liquidators – “the largest and fastest-growing retailer of hardwood floors in America, with over 360 stores in 46 states and revenues of more than a billion dollars.” According to the report, the cheaper,