A class action complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey claims Nestle Waters North America Inc. breaches its contracts with water delivery customers nationwide by assessing late fees on their accounts during a grace period even when customers have made timely payments, and charging an excessive late fee. The plaintiff is seeking an award in excess of $50 million in damages and costs for the class. Steven L. Wittels, a founder and partner of Sanford Wittels & Heisler LLP, a law firm with offices in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco, Calif., is lead attorney for the plaintiffs and the class.
A spokesperson for Nestle Waters North America told VendingMarketWatch the company is reviewing the case and plans to defend its policies through the legal process.
