Newark School System Files Class-Action Suit Against FieldTurf USA

Calhoun, GA, December 8, 2016—FieldTurf USA’s legal troubles, which we first reported on here (http://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/fieldturf-usa-accused-of-knowingly-selling-bad-fie), intensified on December 7 as the Newark, New Jersey school system filed a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging that it had defrauded more than 100 schools in the state by knowingly selling them faulty athletic fields, according to NJ.com.

“The nine-count complaint, which largely relies on NJ Advance Media's reporting, alleges FieldTurf violated the state Consumer Fraud Act by concealing knowledge of the turf's problems, and by failing to change marketing and advertising claims,” reports the site. “The suit also alleges breach of contract, negligence and unjust enrichment.”

FieldTurf officials have strongly denied allegations of fraud and say they did not hide problems with the turf from customers. What’s more, they maintain the turf's deterioration does not affect player safety.

FieldTurf has been replacing fields that fail while under warranty. 

The suit only covers New Jersey, though establishments in California, New York, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts have fields in question as well.