Ginger Ale Lawsuit — How the Claim Form Works (clear, practical guide)

Over recent years consumers have brought class-action lawsuits against major ginger-ale makers (most notably Keurig Dr Pepper’s Canada Dry and Schweppes brands) alleging misleading labels such as “Made from Real Ginger” or “Naturally flavored.” When those suits settle, affected purchasers can file a claim form to request payment or other relief. This article explains — in plain U.S. English — what a claim form is, which ginger-ale cases have (or had) claim forms, how to fill one out, what proof you’ll typically need, deadlines and common pitfalls, and where to find the official documents.

What is a claim form (and why it matters)?

A claim form is the official form the court-appointed claims administrator uses to verify you are a member of the settlement class and to calculate any refund or benefit you’re entitled to. If a class-action settlement is approved, a claims administrator posts the claim form online and notifies consumers how to submit it (by mail or online). Only timely, valid claim forms get paid. For the Canada Dry-style settlements, administrators required one claim per person and limited maximum awards per claimant.

Which ginger-ale cases have had claim forms?

• Canada Dry “Made from Real Ginger” settlement (U.S. / Missouri / related multi-jurisdiction matters): Past settlements led to a claims program and a claims website where consumers could submit forms and receive modest cash refunds or store credits (some settlements capped payments at a small dollar amount per claimant). See the archived Canada Dry settlement site for program rules.
• Quebec / Canadian settlement: A Canada Dry settlement program in Canada (separate from U.S. action) also provided an online claim form for Quebec purchasers (example: up to about CAD$7.50 under certain rules).
• Newer “Naturally flavored” suits (Schweppes / Canada Dry – 2024): These suits (e.g., Elliot v. Keurig Dr Pepper, filed Oct. 29, 2024) are recent and—if they settle—will publish claim forms at the settlement administrator’s website. As of the complaint filing, no claim form exists because the case is still pending. (If a settlement is reached, expect a claims portal and a published deadline.)

Step-by-step: How to complete a typical ginger-ale claim form

1. Confirm you’re in the class. Read the class definition in the settlement notice: it will list dates and geographic limits (for example, “purchased in the U.S. between X and Y dates”). Only people who meet that definition can file.
2. Choose online or mail submission. Most administrators provide both an online claim portal (faster) and a mail-in option. Use the official settlement site listed in the court notice (not random lawyer blogs).
3. Fill in personal info accurately. Typical fields: full name, current mailing address, email, phone, and a signed declaration under penalty of perjury that your statements are true.
4. Provide proof of purchase if required. Some settlements accept a simple attestation (I purchased X cans on Y date); others require a receipt, photo of the UPC, or proof you bought “five or more” units during the class period. Read the form’s evidence rules carefully — many programs accept bank/credit card statements, photos, or product photos with UPC codes.
5. Count your purchases correctly. Settlements often cap the per-person payout (e.g., a maximum of $7.50 or similar). Don’t invent purchases — false claims can be denied and may have penalties.
6. Sign and date. Most claim forms require a signature (electronic signature accepted online) and date; unsigned claims are often rejected.
7. Submit before the deadline. Late claims are usually barred. The settlement notice and claim form will state the postmark or online submission cut-off.

Typical documents or evidence you may be asked to provide

• Receipt(s) for the product(s) purchased (preferred).
• Photograph of UPC or product label showing brand and date code (if receipt isn’t available).
• Bank/credit card statement line item showing the purchase (redact unrelated info).
• Short written attestation explaining approximate purchase date and store if no receipt exists — some administrators accept this but it’s less strong.
  Read the settlement FAQ to learn which of the above is acceptable — rules vary by case.

Deadlines, timing, and payout expectations

• Deadlines: Settlement notices always include a claim-submission deadline and the date of the final fairness hearing. Missing the deadline normally forfeits your ability to get money. Always use the deadline on the official notice/claim form.
• Payout size: Ginger-ale settlements historically have offered small individual payments (for example, under $10 per claimant in some programs) because the class size is large and the settlement fund is spread across many people. Don’t expect large amounts unless the settlement announces otherwise.
• Processing time: After the claims deadline, the administrator validates claims, resolves disputes, and issues payments. This can take months. The official settlement site will show status updates.

Common pitfalls — avoid these mistakes

• Using unofficial sites: Only submit claims through the official settlement website named in the court notice (fraudulent “claims” sites sometimes pop up). Confirm the administrator name (e.g., Heffler Claims Group or another administrator) in the official press release or court docket.
• Missing the deadline: No extensions except in rare court-ordered circumstances.
• Submitting multiple claims: Most settlements permit one claim per person. Duplicate submissions can be rejected.
• Insufficient proof: If the notice requires a UPC or receipt and you submit only an attestation, your claim could be denied or reduced. Provide the strongest reasonable proof you have.

Where to find the official claim form and help

• Official settlement website referenced in the court notice — this is the primary source. (Past Canada Dry programs posted at CDGAsettlement.com / canadadrysettlement.ca.)
• Court docket / PACER — you can find the settlement agreement and the claims administrator’s identity on the federal or state court docket.
• Class-action trackers (TopClassActions, ClassAction.org, TruthInAdvertising) will publish summaries and links to claim forms when settlements are live. Use those only to find the official claim site — then go there.

FAQ

Q: I drank Canada Dry ginger ale in 2019 — can I file a claim now?
A: Only if the settlement’s class period covers that purchase and the claims deadline hasn’t passed. Check the specific settlement notice and claim-deadline. Past settlements had defined class periods and time-limited claim windows.

Q: Do I need a receipt?
A: It depends. Receipts or UPC photos are ideal; some administrators accept reasonable attestation or bank statements if a receipt is unavailable. Read the form instructions.

Q: Who is the claims administrator?
A: The settlement notice names the claims administrator (examples in past matters include Heffler Claims Group or other court-appointed firms). Use the contact info on the official settlement site.

Bottom line

If you think you’re part of a ginger-ale settlement class, act promptly: read the official settlement notice, collect receipts or UPC photos, and submit the official claim form before the posted deadline. Expect modest payments in many consumer beverage settlements — but don’t miss your chance if you qualify. For authoritative next steps, go to the settlement administrator’s official website listed in the court notice.