Costa Del Mar has agreed to pay $23.9 million to settle a class action lawsuit claiming the company charged more than a “nominal fee” to repair sunglasses, despite promising otherwise on every box. The company makes sunglasses and eyewear known for polarized lenses marketed toward anglers and outdoor sports.
The lawsuit, filed by class representative Gerald E. Reed, IV, covers lenses, frames, and other sunglasses parts damaged by accident, normal wear and tear, or misuse. It also alleges customers weren’t told the real repair cost at the point of purchase, on Costa’s website, or over the phone, before mailing in their sunglasses at their own expense.
Costa denies the allegations and has raised several defenses, including that the box language was marketing rather than a binding promise, and that the fees it charged were in fact nominal. The company agreed to settle rather than continue litigating the case, which was originally filed in 2019.
A related case, Smith v. Costa Del Mar, Inc., had reached a settlement covering similar claims, but that settlement was vacated and is no longer in effect. If you received a notice about that earlier case, this settlement is the one that currently applies.
Who Qualifies for a Payment?
You may be a class member if you meet all of the following:
- You are a U.S. citizen, excluding Florida residents
- You purchased nonprescription, non-promotional Costa sunglasses before January 1, 2018
- You paid Costa a repair or replacement fee between April 3, 2015 and January 28, 2026, for damage from accident, normal wear and tear, or misuse
- That repair fee was more than $11.95
Florida residents are excluded because they are covered by a separate settlement, Haney v. Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Costa performed approximately 494,000 sunglass repairs during the class period, according to the settlement notice.
How Much Will I Get?
Eligible class members will automatically receive a pro rata cash payment for each qualifying repair. The exact per-person amount depends on the total number of qualifying repairs across all class members once the fund is divided.
Before any money goes to class members, the fund pays:
- Settlement administration costs
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses, requested at $5,736,000
Any funds left over after those costs and the class payments will go to the American Saltwater Guides Association, subject to court approval.
Do I Need to File a Claim?
No. If you’re a class member, you do not need to submit a claim form. Payment is automatic unless you opt out.
If you received a notice with a unique ID and PIN, you can log in and select how you’d like to be paid. If you do nothing at all, you’ll still receive a payment; the administrator will use the contact information from your notice to send it.
Important Dates
- Deadline to opt out or object: October 26, 2026
- Final approval hearing: December 14, 2026, before Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Payments will be sent after the settlement receives final court approval. No specific payout date has been announced.
What If I Want to Keep My Right to Sue?
If you want to preserve your own right to sue Costa over these claims, you must formally exclude yourself (opt out) in writing by October 26, 2026. You cannot opt out by phone or email. Doing nothing means staying in the settlement and giving up that right.
About This Page
RecallRefunds.com is a consumer information site. We are not the settlement administrator, a law firm, or the court, and we cannot file or process a claim on your behalf. This article summarizes publicly available settlement information and is general information rather than legal advice. Settlement terms, deadlines, and payment details can change; the official settlement website and court documents are the authoritative sources.