"The vast majority of consumers will get absolutely nothing, and a very small percentage will get next to nothing." Most cases are settled rather than go to trialĭozens of Sheehan's cases have been "voluntarily dismissed" this year, meaning Sheehan requested the judge dismiss the case. "Generally, the plaintiff's attorney will be taking home between 25 and 33%," said Patten of Truth In Advertising. "Sometimes people may get back $5, $10, $20."īy contrast, as the plaintiffs' attorney, Sheehan is able to take home a significant chunk of any winnings or settlement. "We have to accept, for better or worse, that yes, in these types of cases - the money that they get back is - they're not going to be able to retire," Sheehan said. While the total is high, the alleged damage to individuals is small - perhaps a dollar or even less for each product purchased - meaning any potential payouts to consumers would be tiny, Sheehan acknowledged. He often claims at least $5 million in total damages to consumers nationwide. What does real milk on the label promise? Perkins Coie says several dozen lawsuits focused on products that are marketed as vanilla in the past two years were overwhelmingly filed by Sheehan. He has filed cases targeting vanilla products of all kinds - soda, soy milk, yogurt, ice cream - all of which use synthetic vanilla or other flavors alongside or in place of the more expensive natural vanilla. 01:41 July 7, 2023, 1:52 PM UTC By Joseph Lamour Pop-Tarts may have taken away many flavors from us in the past like Peach Cobbler but this time, it's giving us something back.
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Sheehan's most visible work is his series of lawsuits about vanilla, which have been covered by the Wall Street Journal and Business Insider. He really doesn't like false labeling of vanilla The firm has previously represented General Mills and Molson Coors - two companies currently facing lawsuits from Sheehan. Sheehan," said Tobin, who has represented companies in litigation brought by Sheehan, as have other lawyers at Perkins Coie. This year could set a record for suits against food companiesĬlass action suits against food and beverage companies have spiked dramatically in recent years, rising from 19 in 2008 to more than 200 last year in spite of a pandemic-related dip in other areas of civil litigation, according to Perkins Coie, a law firm that tracks such cases and represents corporations in litigation.Ģ021 is on track to shatter that record, with more than 280 total suits filed to date, according to Tommy Tobin, a lawyer with the firm. Though Sheehan has dabbled in other areas like T-shirts and bike helmets, the vast majority of his suits concern food and drinks. "Sitting here today and seeing all the press that has been given to this issue, knowing that education is the best way to help consumers not be deceived – I think he's done an amazing job at spreading the word." "I think there is some merit to his work," said Bonnie Patten, the executive director of Truth In Advertising, an organization dedicated to consumer education about deceptive marketing.
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