FitBit Responds To Class Action Lawsuit: This Case Has No Merit

Fitbit Inc FIT ran into a bit of legal trouble earlier this week.

Consumers from California, Colorado and Wisconsin filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against Fitbit, alleging that its Charge HR and Surge heart rate monitors do not and cannot consistently record accurate heart rates during the intense physical activity for which the company markets the devices in widespread advertising.

According to a press release, "The suit contends—and expert testing confirms—that the Heart Rate Monitors consistently mis-record heart rates by a significant margin, particularly during intense exercise. Not only are accurate heart readings important for those engaging in fitness, they can be critical to the health and well-being of people whose medical conditions require them to maintain (or not exceed) a certain heart rate."

Related Link: Analysts At Odds With Market Over Fitbit

The company has responded to the allegations.

"We do not believe this case has merit," a Fitbit spokesperson told Benzinga in an email. "Fitbit stands behind our heart rate technology and strongly disagrees with the statements made in the complaint and plans to vigorously defend the lawsuit. Fitbit is committed to making the best clip and wrist-based activity trackers on the market. Our team has performed and continues to perform internal studies to validate our products' performance."

The statement continued, "PurePulse provides better overall heart rate tracking than cardio machines at the gym, as it tracks your heart rate continuously -- even while you're not at the gym or working out. But it's also important to note that Fitbit trackers are designed to provide meaningful data to our users to help them reach their health and fitness goals, and are not intended to be scientific or medical devices."

Shares of Fitbit have sold off this week, as the company's new Blaze watch did not seem to excite investors. The stock recently traded at $21.60 after trading above $30 to start the new year.