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This settlement is closed!
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Massachusetts agreed to pay $55 million to resolve class action lawsuit claims that negligence at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home caused residents to die from COVID-19.
The settlement benefits two classes of veterans.
Class A includes veterans who lived in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, tested positive for COVID-19 between March 1 and June 23, 2020, but did not die before June 23, 2020.
Class B includes the estates of veterans who lived at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home between March 1 and June 23, 2020, and died during this time period as a result of COVID-19.
The settlement also benefits estate representatives of these individuals, either living or deceased.
Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is a long-term health care facility run by the state of Massachusetts. Veterans in Massachusetts are eligible for health care, hospice care, full-time residence and other services from Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
In July 2020, the estate of a deceased veteran filed a $176 million civil rights class action lawsuit against the health care facility challenging its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of filing, the facility’s actions and inactions allegedly caused 76 deaths and an additional 84 COVID-19 infections.
According to the COVID-19 class action lawsuit, Holyoke Soldiers’ Home failed to isolate veterans who tested positive, resulting in the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the facility. Additionally, staff at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home were allegedly discouraged from using protective equipment such as masks.
Massachusetts Gov. Chris Maker commissioned an independent investigation into the facility, which revealed shocking levels of negligence and unethical behavior. One staff member interviewed for the report said she felt the staff was “moving the concentration camp — we are moving these unknowing veterans off to die.”
“I will never get those images out of my mind — what we did, what was done to those veterans,” the staff member said.
The state of Massachusetts agreed to pay $56 million to resolve these allegations.
Under the terms of the settlement, members of both classes will receive substantial cash payments.
Members of class A will receive at least $10,000, though the settlement website anticipates average payments of $20,000 for class A Members.
Members of class B will receive at least $400,000, though payments are estimated to be around $510,000.
The settlement administrator has the discretion to award additional funds to members of both classes.
The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 16, 2022.
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2022.
In order to receive a payment from the settlement, class members and representatives must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 16, 2022.
Who’s Eligible
The settlement benefits two classes of veterans.
Class A includes veterans who lived in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, tested positive for COVID-19 between March 1 and June 23, 2020, but did not die before June 23, 2020.
Class B includes the estates of veterans who lived at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home between March 1 and June 23, 2020, and died during this time period as a result of COVID-19.
Potential Award
Varies
Proof of Purchase
For deceased claimants their representative should provide Power of Attorney or Letter of Authority
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
08/16/2022
Case Name
Sniadach et al. v. Walsh et al., Case No. 20-CV-30115-MGM, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts in Springfield
Final Hearing
11/14/2022
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 961987
Boston, MA 02196
HSHClaims@affiliatedmonitors.com
617-807-1128
Class Counsel
Thomas Lesser Esq
Michael Aleo Esq
LESSER NEWMAN ALEO & NASSER LLP
Defense Counsel
John P Bueker
James P Dowden
ROPES & GRAY LLP
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