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This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
UPDATE:
- The Court granted final approval to this class action settlement July 12, 2021.
- Tier 1 payments began mailing out to Class Members on Sept. 21, 2021.
- Those who filed a Tier 2 or 3 claim will receive a separate determination related to that claim; the claims review process for those tiers is expected to end in February 2022.
- Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Patients of Dr. James Heaps have reached a $73 million class action settlement to resolve claims that the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) gynecologist harassed and abused female patients.
Those who are able to benefit from this settlement are female patients who were seen for treatment by Heaps at:
- UCLA Medical Center (the current Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) between Jan. 1, 1986, and June 28, 2018
- UCLA’s student health center (the current Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center) between Jan. 1, 1983, and June 30, 2010
- Heaps’ medical office at 100 UCLA Medical Plaza between Feb. 1, 2014, and June 28, 2018
The class action lawsuit accused Heaps of assaulting, abusing, and displaying harassing and offensive behavior toward his female patients during his time working at the UCLA medical facilities. The plaintiffs also accused the board of regents of failing to respond in an appropriate way.
The defendants have denied any wrongdoing but have agreed to the settlement.
The UCLA Heaps settlement agreement includes both monetary and injunctive relief.
Two tiers of monetary relief have been established.
All Class Members are eligible for a $2,500 Tier 1 payment if confirmed as Class Members. They may also seek a Tier 2 payment for an estimated total of $12,500 or a Tier 3 payment for an estimated total between $12,500 and $250,000. These amounts are subject to pro-rata adjustment.
The amount Class Members will receive will depend on whether they file a claim and what type of claim they file.
Tier 1
Class Members who are pre-identified through UCLA records will be automatically mailed a check for $2,500 after the settlement goes into effect.
Class Members not identified through UCLA records must submit an online or written and signed Statement of Class Membership by June 7, 2021, in order to receive the $2,500 payment if they are confirmed as Class Members.
Tier 2
Class Members may submit a Tier 2 claim form describing their experience with Heaps and the emotional distress, bodily injury, or other effects the interaction had on them.
A three-person impartial panel consisting of a court-appointed Special Master, a forensic psychologist/psychiatrist, and an obstetrician/gynecologist will review all Tier 2 claims.
This panel may ask Class Members in the UCLA Heaps settlement to answer additional questions in writing. Class Members may decline to answer these questions, but doing so could affect their eligibility for a Tier 2 payment.
If the panel determines the Class Member’s Tier 2 claim is credible, and Heaps’ conduct “fell outside the scope of accepted medical standards of care applicable during the relevant time, or is otherwise actionable,” the Class Member will receive an additional $10,000, subject to pro rata adjustment, according to the settlement notice.
If the panel determines the Class Member is not eligible for a Tier 2 payment, the Class Member will still receive the Tier 1 payment.
Tier 3
Class Members submitting a Tier 3 claim must provide further evidence of conduct or statements made by Heaps and the effect those interactions had on the Class Member.
Those wishing to make a Tier 3 claim must describe their experience and its effects, plus additional evidence, such as evidence of medical expenses or previous complaints.
Tier 3 claimants will be interviewed by a neutral, trained specialist member of the Special Master’s team, who will then provide an assessment to the panel.
The interview is for the purpose of collecting information about the claim and is not a cross-examination.
The panel will determine the credibility of each Tier 3 claim and award a total payment of $12,500 to $250,000, subject to pro rata adjustment.
Additionally, $5 million of the settlement fund will be reserved for a supplemental award for “extraordinary cases” in which the panel determines more compensation is necessary for a claimant who is eligible to receive the maximum Tier 3 award.
The panel may decide to award a supplemental payment of any amount, as long as the total amount of all supplemental awards does not surpass $5 million.
If the panel determines a Class Member is not eligible for a Tier 3 payment, they will still receive the Tier 1 award.
All settlement claim form and document information can be found on the settlement website.
The regents also have agreed to ensure improved operation and oversight procedures for preventing, identifying, and reporting sexual misconduct in clinical settings, including implementing a new sexual harassment/assault investigation model; improving chaperone policies; providing training for UCLA medical facility personnel on provider-patient boundaries and conducting sensitive exams; and other measures.
If you wish to exclude yourself from or object to the UCLA Heaps class action settlement, you must do so by May 6, 2021.
The deadline to file a claim in the settlement is June 7, 2021.
A final hearing is scheduled for July 12, 2021.
Who’s Eligible
Female patients seen for treatment by Dr. James M. Heaps at:
- UCLA Medical Center (the current Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) between Jan. 1, 1986, and June 28, 2018
- UCLA’s student health center (the current Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center) between Jan. 1, 1983, and June 30, 2010
- Heaps’ medical office at 100 UCLA Medical Plaza between Feb. 1, 2014, and June 28, 2018
Potential Award
Up to $250,000.
- All Class Members are eligible for a $2,500 Tier 1 payment if confirmed as Class Members.
- They may also seek a Tier 2 payment for an estimated total of $12,500 or a Tier 3 payment for an estimated total between $12,500 and $250,000. These amounts are subject to pro rata adjustment.
- A panel may award additional amounts as it deems appropriate.
Proof of Purchase
No proof of purchase is necessary to make a claim.
However, Tier 2 claimants must describe their interactions with Heaps and the effect those interactions had on them.
Tier 3 claimants must submit additional evidence, such as documentation of prior complaints or evidence of medical expenses.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
06/07/2021
Case Name
A.B., et al. v. Regents of the University of California, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-09555-RGK-E in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Final Hearing
07/12/2021
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
UCLA Heaps Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91386
Seattle, WA 98111-9333
1-888-921-0726
info@UCLAHeapsSettlement.com
Class Counsel
Daniel C. Girard
GIRARD SHARP LLP
Amy M. Zeman
GIBBS LAW GROUP LLP
Julie C. Erickson
ERICKSON KRAMER OSBORNE LLP
Defense Counsel
Catherine A. Conway
Debra Wong Yang
Jesse A. Cripps Jr.
Matthew Allan Hoffman
GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
119 thoughts onUCLA Regents Gynecologist Abuse $73M Class Action Settlement
Any new updates? Any successful stories of document submission?
I submitted documentation (proof of address) as requested 5 weeks ago and haven’t heard anything back yet.
Thanks for this information because I thought that all documents were due in December. Did they specifically reach out to you and ask you for your proof of address, or is that what you decided to send? I know that someone on facebook posted that she hadn’t heard from them but I don’t know if she actually reached out or just made a general comment.
Same. Finally
Got a reply.
Now to wait for distribution.
What all did you say? I wrote them an email explaining that it was 16 years ago so there is no way to get proof. They just said they would add this info to my case and make a final claim determination after Jan 17.
They sent more tier 1 checks on december 30 or 31. People received them last week.
Bless you so much for this information! Just little curious why hand written? I mean what difference would it have made if computer typed? Also would thank you from the bottom of my heart if you could post pic of your documentation… ofcourse please hide all personal details. Thanks!
This is the email that I just received. Thank you for your email. We have reviewed the requested information that you submitted, and you will be included in one of our upcoming Tier 1 distributions. The date for the distribution has not yet been set.
Sincerely,
Settlement Administrator
UCLA Heaps Settlement
What documentation did you submit when they asked for proof? Or how did you reply.
Right?? I’m happy that someone is getting a check!! But plsss let us know how you did this?? So crazy how difficult they are being with me… I simply asked what is sufficient if my records are destroyed since it’s been over a decade? They literally wrote me back and said “We will be finalizing your claim with proof on the 20th” which basically means denying it. I’m so upset… I feel like I cannot do anything about it..
Just received letter stating I need to provide proof. Not sure how that’s possible since it was over 10 years ago. They basically lied and wasted our time saying that no proof was needed. My mother was treated at the same place about 17 years ago and she received hers with no proof.
They don’t seem to have an answer for that… I got the same response as you. I told them that I personally called UCLA who says if the records are over 10 years that they don’t exist any longer. I also mentioned that people who were seen in the 80s did not need to provide anything and were just mailed a check… They literally answered me “Send in documentation or on the 20th we will finalize your claim” which means deny it. This is insane. I wish there was something more we could do. This is so wrong.
Finally got my letter .. Basically I’m being denied unless I show proof somehow.. which is BS as the settlement said tier 1 did not need it. Nobody that got checks on 9/21 had to provide any proof what so ever… I called UCLA and because it was over 10 years ago, my records are gone. How is this fair?
You filed a Statement of Class Membership in the UCLA Heaps Settlement (A.B. et al. v. Regents of the University of California et al., No. 2:20-CV-09555-RGK (C.D. Cal.)).
The court-approved notice defines the class as patients seen for treatment by Dr. Heaps: (1) at UCLA Medical Center (currently known as Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) from January 1, 1986 to June 28, 2018; (2) at UCLA’s student health center (currently known as Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center) from January 1, 1983 to June 30, 2010; or (3) at Dr. Heaps’s medical offices at 100 UCLA Medical Plaza from February 1, 2014 to June 28, 2018.
Based on our records and the information you provided, we have determined you are not a member of the Class.
If you believe this determination was reached in error, and that you are member of the Class as defined above, you must provide documentation showing you were treated by Dr. Heaps, including the location and approximate date of the appointment. Your response can be returned by mail using the pre-paid envelope you receive by mail or by email to this email address.
If we do not receive the required documentation by December 20, 2021, you will be ineligible and no further processing will occur.
Nice!! What is the website they have you go too to give the this information? If it’s a private link obviously I don’t expect you to share this lol.. but can you please share if it’s just a regular site that we may need to login too or something? Thank you for the update!!
Right?? Glad that someone is finally getting a letter!!
So Dec 7th and still no letter or email stating why we didn’t get our check yet. I’m not sure how they can request proof and deny without it when proof wasn’t required for tier 1. My claim is from 2005 or 2006, I can’t remember which year- but either way that was 15-16 years ago so how would I have proof? Not okay.
It’s total crap and we should all be upset and letting these administrators know this. If you read on the settlement site it clearly says that’s tier 1 doesn’t say a single thing about needing this proof. Only the upper tiers. Which is exactly why most of us chose the tier 1. So we do not need to relive this situation and deal with this BS. If they ask me for records I will go off and demand a higher tier. This is so wrong. Especially because a crap ton of people that claimed the tier 1 got a check on Sept 21st if they said they saw the Dr in the 80s or 90s. No questions asked. This is not right and we all should not be being this patient. When are these illusive “near future” letters going to start coming??? Not a single person has received a letter yet. It’s December. If you ask what this letter is about they won’t give you any information about what this letter is about.. this is crap and I will continue emailing this settlement every single week until I see this crap letter they are referring too. I’m so done with this settlement.