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What Happens to Unclaimed Class Action Settlement Money?
In some class action settlements, not all of the money set aside for Class Members is claimed. There can be several reasons why money may be left in the settlement fund after the awards are disbursed. For example: perhaps a small number of eligible Class Members filed claims; or many Class Members could not be located; or the claims that were filed were worth less than expected.
Many readers of Top Class Actions wonder what happens to unclaimed settlement money. The answer to that question depends on the particular class action settlement, and will be found in the settlement agreement. Because it is relatively common to have leftover money in the settlement fund after claims have been paid out, the parties will typically address the issue during negotiations.
Typically, the additional settlement funds will be distributed in one of the following three ways:
- Disbursement to Class Members. In some settlements, unclaimed funds will be distributed evenly to those Class Members who filed claims. These payments often appear as a second check in the mail, and come as a happy surprise to Class Members who had previously received payment from the class action settlement.
- Cy Pres Distribution. In other settlements, the unclaimed funds will be distributed to a charity, non-profit organization or university with the purpose of furthering the policy goals of the settlement. The term cy pres may be translated as “as near as possible.” In class action lawsuits, a cy pres distribution is often seen as an option that benefits Class Members and prevents the settlement money from reverting back to the defendant.
- Reverts to Defendant. In some cases, unclaimed settlement funds will revert back to the defendant.
You can find out how the parties have agreed to address unclaimed funds in the official settlement agreement, which has to be approved by the court as fair and reasonable. If you disagree with how they propose to disburse unclaimed funds, you can file an official objection with the court. Directions for filing an objection by the deadline will be found on the settlement administrator’s website and within the settlement agreement.
What Can YOU Claim?
Top Class Actions is committed to educating consumers about all available class action settlement money so that they can claim what they are entitled to claim. Make sure you don’t miss out on any free money to which you’re entitled and sign up for our free newsletter. We’ll let you know about the latest class action settlements and any filing deadlines that are approaching. You can also check out our Open Settlements section to find out which settlements are currently accepting claims.
Related FAQ Articles:
Why Was My Class Action Settlement Payout Smaller than Expected?
Why Haven’t I Received My Settlement Check Yet?
How Do I Submit a Claim for a Class Action Settlement?
62 thoughts onWhat Happens to Unclaimed Class Action Settlement Money?
I was involved is a crash a couple a couple of years ago and people kept contacting me letting me know that I had a check waiting on me but the person who I was involved in the crash with won’t give me the information I need to know so I can speak to my attorney (that they set me up with) so I can collect my settlement.
I was also told that this person I was involved in the crash with already has my check that was in my name but I didn’t believe that because I didn’t see how that could be if it was in my name. I wanted to at least get the attorney’s information. I don’t know what insurance this person had or anything. I’m not ok with this person having my money though. I just don’t have much information about this situation. What do I do?
Hi. I was recently given an old check that was delivered to an old address, its almost 2 years old and needless to say, expired… its from the class-action lawsuit… YOUNG vs COOK COUNTY… I talked with the issuing bank and they told me to speak with whoever wrote/authorized the check… I checked on my states database but nothings there in my name,…are these funds recoupable?
I just found out (April 2020) that I qualified for the Best and Brightest Settlement 2 months after the claims deadline. The checks are not due to be mailed out until June 2020. Is it possible that I can still get a check through the settlement? If not, what can I do about making a claim myself now that I know I should have received the scholarship but was not awarded it the year I was qualified?
I was a plaintiff (employee out of 1700 employees) in a large class action age discrimination law against a very large national company. Back in 2003. I had moved numerous times and lost track of the whole law suit. I did not receive any updated information from the attorney that represented the employees. I recently found out via online research that the lawsuit was finalized and closed in 2007. The employees won the class action lawsuit and was awarded $57 million. The award to the employees averaged out to be between $5,000 and $35,000. What legal actions do I have to claim my share of the disbursed funds? I emailed the company and got not get an answer of out of them. I found the attorney that had represented us and I am also not getting any replies. What legal actions do I have to try and find and claim my share? Added note: I have all the information on the lawsuit if needed. Thank you.
Hey was it Cumberland farms in ftmyers florida I also applied and signed but was never notified
How did you find the attorney that represented you?
I was included in a class action lawsuit back in 2015. Totally forgot about it. I moved and they are saying the check went to my new house I moved to in 2018. How is this possible? It seems like the attorney sent it to my old address and is just lying. Has anyone heard of this before.
They sent me the information i filled it out return it never heard back moved a year ago
Re: Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund aka CCF Settlement
Can you, please, tell me the status of the unclaimed funds?
I received an award of over $2600.00 in 2011.
I had moved overseas and the mail was sent to a different address — It took forever to finally reach me – I couldn’t deal with it, as I was very ill.
The website is down, the tel# doesn’t work.
I contacted the bank – they told me to check with the state treasury. I had, already, checked with the unclaimed funds of PA…. but, there’s nothing.
What was the settlement agreement concerning unpaid funds for this class action? Can you tell me where I can read it?
Is there any way that I can recoup this award?
Thank you very much for your time… it’s greatly appreciated.
What do I do if I wasn’t included in a class action & I should have been? All my coworkers received checks. When reading the court documents on who is considered in the “class” I definitely am & should have received as well. Also its not an issue of opt’ing in as it was only required to opt out. I contacted the claim administrator & she couldn’t find me on the list but I 100% should have been. Who do I follow up with?
3-12-2020
What is the name of the class action suit you are referring to or what company was involved?
What is the website where you found the court documents?
This happened to me several times! Sometimes I think they keep the money for themselves.
I was abroad when I received a check and it ended up expiring 6 months before I received it. I called the number associated with the case and sent an email asking for it to be reissued, but no one answers and email goes unanswered. Is there anything I can do about this?
3-12-2020
The case is probably finished and you most likely will not be able to cash the check.
If you still have the phone number associated with the case and if you remember the name of the court case, please show that so that someone can check into it for you.
Looking for information on second payment for class action suit against WA DSHS vs
REKHTER ,
The law firm has only stated the IRS is to blame for the payments not being sent for the last 4 years. It took three years for them to disburse the first payment so they claim because they were ‘getting it right,’ then they were wrong and submitted taxes to the IRS that were not supposed to be ? So now another 4 years have passed, the lawfirm moved out of state, they won’t tell me anything? How do I find out how many people were involved in this and do I write to the attorney general? Thank You the judgement amount was 93 million. We waited forever and only received the basic what we would have been paid for our wages minus the undue taxes! How do we know thus money isn’t earning interest for the law firm?
Looking for information on close case from July 7, 2017 Alonzo Brown case In and Out Burgers?????? Have not heard or got no help to date ? Thank you ! Chris.gruse@aol.com
No new information other than what we emailed you in February when you inquiried:
It looks like the settlement was granted final approval in July 2017, and no appeals were filed, which is good news. We do not have any information on if the settlement has paid out. Unfortunately, you’ll need to try and continue to get in touch with Heffler or class counsel in order to get your questions answered. We wish you the best of luck.
https://www.hefflerclaims.com/
http://www.tidrick.com/contact.html