How Do I Submit a Claim for a Class Action Settlement?

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If you find out you’re a class member in a settlement, that means you’re entitled to benefits of some sort. What you’re able to claim depends on the type of class action settlement and the terms of the deal.

Do all settlements accept claims?

No. In some cases, only injunctive relief is provided and there is no monetary compensation to class members. Injunctive relief means the defendant has agreed to change its behavior in some way, such as improving policies, engaging in a corrective advertising campaign or agreeing not to engage in the problematic behavior over a certain period. These types of settlements typically do not involve claim forms because the settlement benefits are automatically granted to consumers.

Other types of settlements may involve wage or other labor-related claims for current and former employees of a defendant company. Often in these cases, the settlement administrator will use the company’s internal records as documentation for calculating a class member’s award, and the class member will receive their payment without having to take any action — unless they choose to opt out of the settlement.

Most class action settlements that offer compensation often require class members to submit claim forms in order to receive the benefits.

Because every class action settlement is unique, it is important to follow the instructions provided by the settlement administrator. In some cases, claim forms will be mailed directly to class members. In other cases, class members must contact the settlement administrator to obtain a claim form, or file a claim on a settlement website.

Read the instructions carefully

Before you begin filling out the claim form, make sure you read the directions carefully.

Failure to properly fill out the claim form may cause your claim to be denied. Take a look at the claim deadline to ensure the settlement administrator is still accepting claims.

Provide all required information when you submit a claim

Fill out all the required fields and make sure the information you provide is true and accurate. The settlement administrator will rely on the contact information you submit in order to communicate with you. If you submit an incorrect address or phone number, you may not be able to receive the benefits for which you’re entitled.

In addition, some settlements require claimants to submit documentation that supports their claim. Read the instructions carefully to make sure you understand what type of documentation you need to submit in order to receive compensation. You may be asked to provide receipts, invoices, bank statements, serial numbers or other information to support your claim. [Related: Do I Need Proof of Purchase to File a Settlement Claim?]

DO NOT SUBMIT A FALSE CLAIM. If you did not purchase the product or did not use the service covered by the settlement, do not submit a claim. Doing so could put you in legal trouble and negatively affect the award disbursement to qualified class members.

Is it worth it to submit a claim?

Many people are unfamiliar with class action settlements and believe it is too much trouble to submit a claim in order to receive a tiny payout.

They don’t realize it typically only takes a few minutes to submit a claim and that some settlements offer substantial payouts. There’s really nothing to lose by filing a claim.

How do I know if I qualify for settlement benefits?

Keep an eye on your mailbox and email account for notice of any class action settlements, as these forms of communication are popular methods of notifying class members about settlements.

If you receive notice of a settlement, it means that your legal rights are affected by it and you might just be entitled to submit a claim for compensation. Read the notice carefully to find out what steps you need to take to get your settlement benefits.

Class action settlement notices are also frequently posted in newspapers, magazines and online. These notices will often direct you to a settlement website that has lots of information about the settlement, including claim forms, court documents and filing deadlines.

Top Class Actions is an excellent resource to find out about open settlements that are accepting claims. We provide all of the information you need to get connected to settlements that just might offer you significant compensation.

You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest updates about class action lawsuits and settlements.

Related FAQ Articles:

Can I Be Legally Bound by a Class Action Settlement?

What is an Open Settlement?

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