N.D. Ill. · No. 1:26-cv-12573
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| Matter | Type | Practice area | Court | Date | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Kroger Co.source ↗ filed by Laukaitis Law LLC · Judge John F. Kness · No. 1:26-cv-12573 · 28:1332 Diversity-Other Contract · view case timeline → Comparable settlements $200M–$688M ▾Cetorelli affirms deceptive-practices liability and fee-shifting under consumer-protection statutes, supporting plaintiff theories, but Guthrie affirms denial of class cert on individualized reliance/communications grounds and Citizens of Humanity shows 'Made in USA'-type false-ad claims can fail for lack of probable cause/merit. No N.D. Ill.-specific false-advertising comparable exists in this set. Comparable settlements $200M–$688M median $237.50M · n=10 Merck & Co. Inc. a $688M · Toyota Industries $436M · Toyota Industries $299.50M Per member (realized): ~$2,500 median · $2,500–$2,500 (n=1) Comparable verdict: Papaya $420M · VPX, Inc. $293M Key precedent: Kirkbride v. Kroger ($17M settlement) shows Kroger's own pattern of settling consumer claims rather than litigating to judgment, suggesting similar resolution path here. Main risk: Class certification denial for individualized reliance/exposure issues, as in Guthrie v. Transamerica (UCL claim denied cert on same theory) This defendant: Prior Kroger settlement (Kirkbride, $17M) suggests willingness to settle consumer claims rather than try them. Rough EV model (wide — class size is the big unknown, not a prediction): $500K–$112.50M Single realized per-member data point ($2,500) comes from an unrelated high-value durable-goods case; true grocery false-ad recoveries are likely far lower, and class size/scope are speculative absent complaint specifics. · grounded in 10 rulings, 10 settlements, 9 verdicts | Filing | False Advertising | N.D. Ill. | 2026-10-14 | $200M–$688M comparable settlements |