Whirlpool Deal’s $15 Million Fee Draws Concern at Ninth Circuit

A nearly $15 million attorneys’ fee award in a class settlement over Whirlpool dishwashers that allegedly could catch fire raised concern at a Ninth Circuit argument Thursday.

Judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit questioned attorneys about how to determine the value of the deal, which involved coupons and other relief.

Whirlpool Corp. and Sears Holding Corp. settled consumer class allegations that their Whirlpool-, KitchenAid- and Kenmore-branded dishwashers had a circuit board defect that caused the machines to emit smoke and erupt in flames.

The settlement provides full reimbursement of repair costs for class members who ...