Unexpected Windfall: Young Woman Receives $3,500 from Juul Class-Action Lawsuit

A Surprising Windfall from a Class-Action Lawsuit Against Juul

In the fall of 2021, Drewe Raimi, then a senior in college, took a step that many young people might consider a joke: she filed a claim in a class-action lawsuit against Juul, the manufacturer of the widely popular e-cigarettes. The news had been buzzing on social media, and several of Ms. Raimi’s friends also decided to join in and file claims. However, as time passed, she completely forgot about the legal proceedings.

Fast forward to Monday evening around 7 p.m., when Ms. Raimi, now 23, received an unexpected notification on her phone. A Venmo payment of nearly $3,500 appeared in her account, with the sender listed as “Juul Labs, Inc. Settlement Administrator.” In disbelief, she couldn’t resist sharing the moment. As any self-respecting member of her generation would do, she created a TikTok video capturing her excitement.

POV: you just got $3k Venmo from a class action lawsuit against JUUL you forgot you filled out as a JOKE 2 years ago in college,” read the text overlaying her celebratory video, accompanied by the uplifting tune “Life Is Worth Living” by Justin Bieber playing in the background.

Much like Ms. Raimi, numerous TikTok users have begun sharing their own stories of receiving payments from the lawsuit. A related trend has emerged from Juul users expressing regret for not having submitted their claims in time. The payments are a result of a complex lawsuit that accused Juul of misleading consumers about the addictive nature of its products and the associated health risks, alongside allegations of unlawfully targeting teenagers in its marketing efforts.

In March of this year, a federal judge approved a substantial payment of $45 million from tobacco giant Altria, which holds a 35 percent stake in Juul, to settle the lawsuit. This amount is in addition to the $255 million Juul had previously agreed to pay in a separate settlement, which received approval in January 2024. As of March, the number of claims filed had surpassed 14 million.

Under the settlement’s terms, claimants who did not provide receipts for their purchases found their recovery capped at $300, a point that raised eyebrows among many. For Kevin Lanning, a 39-year-old resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, the settlement timing was particularly fortuitous. Earlier this year, Mr. Lanning made the bold decision to leave his job at Google and launch a podcast called Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, focusing on themes of overcoming adversity, including battles with addiction.

Having struggled with vaping addiction himself after being introduced to a Juul at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Mr. Lanning reflects on his experience. “The mango pods were absolutely phenomenal; they tasted like candy,” he admitted. “I instantly became addicted to them.” On Tuesday morning, Mr. Lanning took to TikTok to explain the settlement, showcasing a screenshot of his Venmo payment amounting to $1,093.74.

For both Mr. Lanning and Ms. Raimi, this unexpected financial windfall served not only as a reminder of their past but also as a testament to their journey of overcoming a former habit. “That was college me,” Ms. Raimi remarked, signifying a clear distinction between her past and present.

As for how the plaintiffs plan to spend their newfound money, Ms. Raimi is still undecided. “I’m torn between splurging on a designer purse or investing in stocks,” she confessed. “Whether that’s a smart move or a foolish one — I haven’t quite figured out which path I’ll take yet.”

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