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The class action settlement check you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. But when you open the envelope, you’re disappointed to see that the amount is significantly less than the estimated payout that was posted on the settlement website. No, you’re not getting ripped off and the attorneys aren’t getting the money you were supposed to get.
The most common reason class action settlement payouts are less than expected is because an unexpectedly large number of Class Members submitted claims. There are several factors that may play into this, including:
- If the settlement involves an extremely popular product, such as milk or canned tuna, there will be more eligible Class Members who have purchased those products and who may file claims.
- Settlements that do not require claimants to submit proof of purchase or any other form of documentation tend to get a larger number of claims.
In addition, if you’ve been a reader of Top Class Actions for a while, you’ve probably noticed that many class action settlement payouts are distributed on a pro rata basis. This means that the funds will be distributed in proportion to the number of claims that are filed. If a large number of claims are filed, the amount each claimant receives will be reduced proportionally.
When asking a judge to approve a class action settlement, Class Counsel often calculates an estimated range of payments that Class Members can expect to receive. This helps the judge determine whether the settlement is fair to the Class Members. Although the attorneys do their best to predict how many Class Members are likely to file claims, sometimes an unexpected number of claims are filed.
This begs the question: Do sites like TopClassActions.com, which report on class action settlements, dilute the pool of money available for claimants by getting more qualified people to submit claims? The answer is: NO!
As more and more consumers participate in settlements that they qualify for, settlement awards will continue to increase. In the past, some defendants have relied on the fact that most consumers will never see or may even ignore a settlement notice. This allowed them to get away with paying smaller settlements. But as sites like TopClassActions.com increase the number of valid claims being submitted, judges will have no choice but to require defendants to pay larger settlements that will accommodate a large number of claimants.
In fact, so far in 2016 due to the high number of valid claims submitted by TopClassActions.com viewers, multiple settlements have gone BACK to the courts to increase the award amount. Your legitimate claims are having a positive impact on changing the way class action settlements are paid out and managed! In 2016, our viewers reported that they received huge payouts from a number of class action settlements, including up to $148 from iHeartMedia, $180 from Sprint, and as much as $2,00 from Ocwen!
How Can I Maximize My Payout?
Some class action settlements provide benefit options for Class Members. In some cases, Class Members may have the option to submit proof of purchase for a settlement. Generally, claimants who provide proof of purchase will be entitled to a higher payout than claimants who do not. If you hold on to receipts or have other documentation of your purchase, it’s probably worth your time to send it in with your Claim Form.
Top Class Actions reports on every open settlement that we find. We help thousands of consumers become aware of class action settlements they qualify for. To find out which settlements are currently accepting claims, visit our Open Settlements section.
Related FAQ Articles:
Why Haven’t I Received My Settlement Check Yet?
17 thoughts onWhy Was My Class Action Settlement Payout Smaller Than Expected?
I can’t believe all I received is $24.82 from a $43.000.000 settlement
Is that the one filed by Pendley Baudin & Coffin Law Firm for usage of Olmesartan? If so just got something today. Waited all that time for such a small amount.
I cannot believe all this this company can do and I receive $14.39. The rich keep getting richer at our expense
I can’t believe all I received is $24.82 from a $43.000.000 settlement
just wondering has anyone received payment from the Benicar Case?
Is that the one filed by Pendley Baudin & Coffin Law Firm for usage of Olmesartan? If so just got something today. Waited all that time for such a small amount.
I am a member of an MDL lawsuit. From the beginning I had problems with my Attorney communicating with me. As my emails went unanswered. Important medical records were not submitted to the Special Administrator. Into the second year I sent an email saying that if they were to busy to communicate with me to send my file to me and I would look further. Holy cow I got a phone call. My Attorney had already exhausted 2 appeals and didn’t understand my case involved Malabsorption. If he had communicated with me he would have known and my medical reports would not have been left out. Needless to say when my Attorney gave me an estimate of what I would be receiving I felt completely hung out to dry. Do I have to accept this ridiculously unfair amount? Do I have any recourse? In case you are wondering this is pertaining to the Benicar MDL. Thanks for listening.
I am part of a class action lawsuit for faulty windshield on a popular car brand they want me to appear in court there are only 15 claimants in my suit. What are my estimated winnings? I am being asked to miss work to appear in another county for the case. The law firm wont say how much winnings could be is it worth my lost earnings at work?
I filled in a form I thought was the claim enrollment online for Wells Fargo. I contacted them about my claim, because my brother received a notification. They told me the form I filled in was just to receive notice to file a claim. I have a very severe case of abuse against them. Now everything is closed, can I still file an appeal or what can I do?
Please email us at Questions@TopClassActions.com with the settlement name. We’ll search up contact information for class counsel for you.
I didn’t get my I heart tcpa check. What do I do? I got a denial letter awhile back but shortly after that I got another letter saying disregard the denial letter. I can’t find anything out cuz the settlement administrator number doesn’t let you talk to a human.
You can always try contacting the settlement administrator through their corporate office. You can also try contacting class counsel with your concerns. Contact information for both can usually be found online. Good luck!
Well I thank you guys for my iHeartRadio check Haines celestial,etc they are all blessings from the Lord up above I’m still waiting on my every.vs Citi Bank check they said no proof necessary just as long as u answer yes to both?’s some people may have proof of 2013 but some people lost they personal items in storage back then I’ve since then moved to NEVADA did a change of address with Post office and the Citi Bank lady that approved my claim told me that she didn’t need anymore information I was approved now because she’s updated my new address in the Citi Bank system to my new address so I can get my check at my new address now Citi Bank trying to say my claim is deemed to be invalid that’s what I’m angry about everyone don’t have proof way from 2013 & some people do but. One who doesn’t and on top of all this the boss is still out of the country he’s the only one who can change it smh but other than that u guys top class action lawsuit are a blessing cause without u guys we wouldn’t know about being cheated and lied to
You’ll need to contact the Citibank settlement administrator with any questions about your claim, and your change of address information. Good luck!
Filed on EVERY case? What are the odds that you and these ladies are victims in EVERY single settlement case? Could it be that you are all serial fraud filers? You do realize that it’s people like you that cause these payouts to be smaller because you’re lowering the pro rata and are ultimately taking money out of the hands of the actual victims. Maybe you didn’t get paid because the Claims Administrators caught on to you with your serial filings and have added you to their fraud filer list.