Do E-Mail Class Action Settlements Really Pay Out?

Have you gotten a random e-mail claiming you are part of a Class Action Settlement from a lawsuit, but aren’t sure if it’s a scam? Most likely, it’s the real deal. I just got a check today for $155 from the Phillips CPAP lawsuit, and all I did was submit the online form.

What is a Class Action Settlement and Why Did They Send You an E-mail?

A class action settlement is a legal agreement resolving a lawsuit in which a group of people, known as the “class,” collectively brings a claim against a defendant. This typically happens when a large number of individuals are affected by the same issue, such as defective products, unfair business practices, or environmental harm. Rather than each person filing a separate lawsuit, a class action allows them to combine their claims into one case.

When this happens, you usually aren’t aware of it until a mysterious e-mail shows up (sometimes there’s also a letter in the mail) letting you know you are part of the class action settlement. This means that at some point, you did business with the company and were possibly affected by the reason they are being sued.

It may go so far back or have been such a small interaction that you may not even remember doing business with the company and suspect it may be a scam to get your personal details. For that reason, many people do not respond and miss out on free money for just a few minutes of your time.

How to Tell if the Class Action Settlement is Real

With so many scams these days, it’s easy to suspect these notifications as fake. However, you can check to see if it is a real lawsuit. Just plug the lawsuit details into a search engine and see if it comes up in a search. All lawsuit details would be public.

You can also search the lawsuit on sites like ClassAction.org, which has a search bar in the upper right corner and will have lawsuit details and blog posts about the lawsuit.

Things you want watch out for:Is the lawsuit current? If it is on there, but was settled years ago, then the e-mail is a scam.Check the address and e-mails on the notice and make sure they match up to the settlement and company details.Look up the law firm and verify it is real.Requests for banking details, like account numbers. You will get a check in the mail, not a direct deposit. How Much Money Will I Get?

There won’t be a specific amount mentioned, because the amount you get depends on the amount the lawsuit is for, and how many people fill out the form. If you don’t fill out the form, you won’t get anything and won’t be part of the lawsuit.

For example, the Phillips CPAP lawsuit settled for $479 million, and we got a check for $155.63. This is actually a pretty large amount, as the average I’ve gotten is around $30. I think I got about $7 for a PayPal lawsuit once.

However, whatever the amount it, it’s not bad for just filling out a short form!

How Class Action Settlements WorkClass Certification: Before a class action can proceed, the court must certify the group as a “class.” This ensures that the legal claims of the group are sufficiently similar and that the representative plaintiff(s) can adequately represent the interests of all members.Lawsuit Process: The class action lawsuit then goes through the usual legal process, including discovery (gathering evidence), motions, and potentially a trial. Often, however, these cases end in settlement before reaching trial.Settlement Negotiation: If the parties agree to settle, they negotiate terms. The settlement may include monetary compensation, policy changes, or other forms of relief for the affected group.Court Approval: The proposed settlement must be approved by the court. The court reviews the agreement to ensure it is fair, reasonable, and adequate for all class members.Notice to Class Members: After court approval, class members are notified of the settlement, typically through mail, email, or public announcements. They are informed of the terms and how to claim their portion of the settlement or object to it.Distribution: Once the settlement is finalized, the funds or benefits are distributed to the class members. Depending on the size of the class and the settlement, payments can vary significantly, and members may need to submit a claim form to receive compensation.

The purpose of class action settlements is to help resolve widespread harm efficiently, providing relief to many people without overburdening the legal system with individual lawsuits.

Class Action Lawsuit FAQ #faqsu-faq-list { background: #F0F4F8; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px; } #faqsu-faq-list .faqsu-faq-single { background: #fff; padding: 15px 15px 20px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 10px #d1d8dd, 0px 0px 40px #ffffff; border-radius: 5px; margin-bottom: 1rem; } #faqsu-faq-list .faqsu-faq-single:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } #faqsu-faq-list .faqsu-faq-question { border-bottom: 1px solid #F0F4F8; padding-bottom: 0.825rem; margin-bottom: 0.825rem; position: relative; padding-right: 40px; } #faqsu-faq-list .faqsu-faq-question:after { content: "?"; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; width: 30px; line-height: 30px; text-align: center; color: #c6d0db; background: #F0F4F8; border-radius: 40px; font-size: 20px; } Do class action suits really send you money?

Yes! The amount will vary according to the number of people included, but you do actually get money from filling out the class action lawsuit form.

How much will I get from the class action?

The amount varies depending on how much was won, and how many people filled out the form.

How do I tell if a class action lawsuit is a scam?

One of the easiest ways is to search the lawsuit online and make sure it is current, and all details (like law firm and addresses) match up to what is in your e-mail or letter.

How do I get the money won from a class action settlement?

The money will usually be sent as a check in the mail.

What if I don't recall doing business with the company in the lawsuit?

If you got a notification, then you are connected somehow, even though it may have been a long time ago, or in a minimal way.

What will happen if I ignore the class action settlement notification?

If you ignore the notification and do not fill out the forms, then nothing will happen. You may get a follow up notification, but you will not receive any funds that were won.

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