Champlain Towers South collapse $1B class action settlement

Survivors and bereaved family members secured a settlement of over $1 billion in their class action lawsuit over the 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South.

The class action settlement benefits a large group of individuals affected by the Champlain Towers South collapse. This includes unit owners, residents, anyone who was present at the time of the collapse, those injured in the collapse (physically or emotionally), those who suffered personal property damage and those who suffered economic damages from the collapse. The class also includes representatives of these individuals, including surviving family members of deceased victims.

On June 24, 2021, a 12-floor condominium in Surfside, Florida, collapsed in the early hours of the morning, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The condominium, called Champlain Towers South, collapsed suddenly and resulted in the deaths of 98 people. The NIST is investigating the cause behind the collapse.

Although the NIST investigation may take years, Champlain Towers residents and bereaved family members took quick legal action and filed a lawsuit against the condominium’s operators. 

According to plaintiffs in the consolidated multidistrict litigation, the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association knew the building needed serious repairs but failed to spend the money or evacuate residents. Additionally, the residents contend, irresponsible construction in a luxury high-rise next door caused daily tremors that further destabilized Champlain Towers South.

Building developers, condominium managers, insurance companies and other defendants haven’t admitted any wrongdoing in the consolidated class action lawsuit. However, the companies agreed to a settlement of $1.02 billion  to resolve these allegations, NPR reported.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive compensation for wrongful death, personal injury and loss of personal property. Claims for real property damages were settled in a separate settlement and are not covered by this deal.

Class members can have two options in the settlement: either file a simple claim form or go through the full claims process. 

Filing the personal injury simple claim form allows class members to make claims for pre-set damages. 

In contrast, the full claim form is much longer and requires class members to detail the amount they claim for damages and provide detailed documentation for each claim. Although this process is more involved, a full claim form may result in higher payments for class members.

Full claim forms are available for personal injury, personal property and unit contents, and wrongful death.

The deadline for exclusion and objection in the Champlain Towers class action lawsuit settlement is June 16, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the deal is scheduled for June 23, 2022.

The deadline to submit a valid claim form (either simple or full) with the settlement is July 18, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits a large group of individuals affected by the Champlain Towers South collapse. This includes unit owners, residents, anyone who was present at the time of the collapse, those injured in the collapse (physically or emotionally), those who suffered personal property damage and those who suffered economic damages from the collapse. The class also includes representatives of these individuals, including surviving family members of deceased victims.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

The full claim form requires class members to detail the amount they claim for damages and provide detailed documentation for each claim.

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

07/18/2022

Case Name

In Re: Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation, Case No: 2021-015089-CA-01, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-dade County, Florida

Final Hearing

06/23/2022

Settlement Website

CTSReceivership.com

Claims Administrator

MICHAEL I. GOLDBERG, RECEIVER
Receiver for Champlain Towers South Condominium Association, Inc.
The Main Las Olas
201 East Las Olas Boulevard
Suite 1800
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
954-331-4190
954-463-2224 (Fax)
CTSReceivership@akerman.com

Class Counsel

KOZYAK TROPIN & THROCKMORTON LLP

GROSSMAN ROTH YAFFA COHEN PA

PODHURST ORSECK PA

THE MOSKOWITZ LAW FIRM PLLC

COLSON HICKS EIDSON PA

SEARCY DENNEY SCAROLA BARNHART & SHIPLEY PA

SALTZ MONGELUZZI & BENDESKY

PITA WEBER & DEL PRADO

SILVA & SILVA PA

GARY WILLIAMS PARENTI WATSON & GARY PLLC

GONZALO R DORTA PA

GOLDBERG & ROSEN PA

LIPPSMITH LLP

HEISE SUAREZ MELVILLE PA

MSP RECOVERY LAW FIRM

MERLIN LAW GROUP

THE BRAD SOHN LAW FIRM

Defense Counsel

WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN PL

JOHNSON ANSELMO MURDOCH BURKE PIPER & HOCHMAN PA

BOWMAN AND BROOKE LLP

PHELPS DUNBAR LLP

KLEIN PARK & LOWE

WEINBERG WHEELER HUDGINS GUNN & DIAL

ZETLIN & DE CHIARA LLP

COLE SCOTT & KISSANE PA

GUNSTER YOAKLEY & STEWART PA

HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP

FALK WAAS HERNANDEZ SOLOMON MENDLESTEIN & DAVIS PA

GREENBERG TRAURIG PA

COFFEY BURLINGTON PL

FERENCIK LABINOFF BRANDT BUSTAMANTE AND GOLDSTEIN PA

HIGHTOWER STRATTON NOVIGROD & KANTOR

MCFARLANE FERGUSON & MCMULLEN

WRIGHT FULFORD MOORHEAD & BROWN

LUKS SANTANIELLO PETRILLO COHEN & PETERFRIEND

BUTLER WEIHMULLER KATZ CRAIG LLP

RITTER CHUSID LLP

WILLIAM E STACEY JR PA

LLOYD GRAY WHITEHEAD & MONROE

WARD DAMON PL

TORRESVICTOR

KUBICKI DRAPER

RESNICK & LOUIS PC

DERREVERE STEVENS BLACK & COZAD