Chemed Wins Appeal of Class-Action Status in Roto-Rooter Suit
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2004--Chemed Corporation (NYSE:CHE) today announced that the Eighth District Ohio Court of Appeals has decertified the class action status of a case brought by Michael Linn on behalf of a nationwide group of consumers who paid a miscellaneous parts charge to Roto-Rooter Services Company from October 1999 to July 2002.
The case had been certified by the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in February 2003. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's certification, holding common questions of fact did not predominate. The case has thus been reversed and remanded to the trial court for proceeding on Mr. Linn's individual claim.
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chemed Corporation (www.chemed.com) is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life hospice care services through its VITAS Healthcare Corporation subsidiary. Chemed also maintains a presence in the residential and commercial repair-and-maintenance industry through two subsidiaries. Roto-Rooter is North America's largest provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services. Service America Network Inc. provides major-appliance and heating/air-conditioning repair, maintenance, and replacement services.
Statements in this press release or in other Chemed communications may relate to future events or Chemed's future performance. Such statements are forward-looking statements and are based on present information Chemed has related to its existing business circumstances. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risk that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Further, investors are cautioned that Chemed does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations.
CONTACT: Chemed Corporation
David P. Williams, 513-762-6901
SOURCE: Chemed Corporation