Class action lawsuit against Tim Hortons approved, could result in over $74K payout

A recent court decision in Canada has just greenlit a class action lawsuit against Tim Hortons, potentially resulting in significant compensation for some individuals. This lawsuit, brought forth by Montreal-based firm LPC Avocats, stems from an error during Tim Hortons’ Roll Up to Win contest in 2024. Specifically, around 500,000 people received an email from Tim Hortons in March and April 2024, indicating that they had won a powerboat and trailer combo valued at $64,000. This personalized email understandably generated excitement among recipients. However, Tim Hortons later retracted the announcement, claiming that the emails had been sent in error, and that no actual winners existed.

The Quebec Superior Court found the email misleading, as it created a false impression that the recipients had won, potentially violating the province’s Consumer Protection Act. Moreover, the lack of a consolation prize for the mistake could undermine trust in digital contests. Consequently, the judge ruled that the class action lawsuit could proceed, but only for Quebec residents due to specific consumer protection laws in the province.

The authorized class includes individuals in Quebec who received the erroneous boat-winning email in March or April 2024, excluding those who entered the contest through a mail-in essay method. The suit aims to compel Tim Hortons to provide the promised boats or pay the $64,000 cash equivalent. Additionally, each participant could be entitled to $10,000 in punitive damages, and additional compensation for the emotional distress caused by the error.

Several testimonies provided in court highlighted the emotional impact of the false win, such as one individual who excitedly planned a cruise with nurses after receiving the email. Other customers visited Tim Hortons locations to confirm the validity of the win, receiving confirmation from staff members, including managers. Moving forward, the lawsuit will progress to trial, where the court will determine whether Tim Hortons must fulfill its promises or compensate the affected individuals.

If you are part of the authorized class in Quebec, there is no immediate need to take action, but you can stay informed by signing up for updates on the class action website. Stay tuned for further developments as the case progresses through the legal system.