Many people don’t realize that money and class action solutions from old lawsuits can still be available for them to claim. Billions of dollars are not harvested every year because people either don’t know they are eligible and don’t file it in time or just forget the lawsuits I saw on the news a few years ago.
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Managers (NAUPA), the state government alone holds more than $50 billion in unclaimed funds, some of which stem from legal settlements and spending that many consumers ignore. The company has been resolving lawsuits, whether for defective products, unfair practices or company wrongdoing. When this happens, the money is usually in a escrow account, waiting for the legitimate claimant to move forward.
If you think you may have a stake coming, it’s time to take action. Here are seven expenses you can still get from old lawsuits and solutions, and how to check if your name is on the list.
Old lawsuits and settlements you may still benefit from
1. Review of herbicide litigation
Bayer, who acquired Monsanto (the reviewer), has paid billions of dollars in lawsuits claiming herbicides have caused cancer, especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although thousands of cases have been resolved, some cases are still being processed, especially those that have not reached an earlier deadline or have been initially rejected.
If you use the review for personal or professional use and subsequently have health problems, you may still be eligible. As new plaintiffs stepped up, some settlements remained open on a rolling basis.
Please visit the Overview Settlement Website or a trusted legal resource to determine eligibility. Don’t think it’s too late. Some situations are still being evaluated and paid.
2. Facebook data privacy solution
The Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed that Facebook unfortunately had the personal data of millions of users. Class action ultimately led to millions of dollars in settlements, with spending ranging from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars depending on the user’s account and data exposure level.
While the major claim filing period ends in 2023, some appeals and administrative claims are still open for users experiencing technical issues or misclassification of data. If you are a Facebook user between 2007 and 2022 and think you may be eligible, it is worth checking with Satement Administration.
Data privacy settlements are often extended over several years due to appeals and court rulings, so you can still get payments even if you miss the initial window.
3. Wells Fargo Unauthorized Account Settlement
If you are a Wells Fargo client between 2002 and 2017, you may be eligible to get your spending from the infamous unauthorized account scandal. The bank opened millions of accounts without the permission of the client, resulting in fraudulent fees and credit losses.
The $3 billion settlement fund provides funding for direct compensation and credit repairs. Although the main claim process ended in 2020, many affected clients have not yet realized they are eligible and some states or court orders continue to manage payments.
If you believe Wells Fargo has opened an account under your name or charged an unauthorized fee, please contact the Wells Fargo unauthorized account settlement website for potential compensation.
4. Equifax data breach settlement
When Equifax announced in 2017 that hackers had access to personal data from more than 147 million Americans, it became one of the largest data breaches in history. A $700 million settlement was subsequently reached and credit surveillance, identity theft costs, and even cash payments for the time spent dealing with violations.
Although the initial filing period ended in early 2020, the settlement administrator is still handling certain claims, especially those involving recorded losses or extended credit monitoring. If you have never filed an application but have experienced identity theft or other related damages, you are still eligible.
Please visit the Equifax settlement site to see if you can submit a claim or request a reconsideration, especially if you have proof of loss that was not originally recorded.
5. Transvaginal network lawsuit
Thousands of women sued medical device manufacturers for vaginal mesh implants that cause serious complications, including pain, infection and erosion. Settlements of major manufacturers such as Johnson and Johnson and Boston Science totaled billions of dollars.
Many of these settlements remain open due to ongoing litigation and appeals. As more women come forward, some states and law firms continue to deal with new claims. If you or someone you know has a transvaginal mesh implant and suffers complications, you may still have a chance to join the settlement fund.
Contact a prestigious law firm to specialize in medical device cases to see if you can file a later claim. Many companies offer free consultations to assess eligibility.
6. Volkswagen diesel emission settlement
Do you remember the “diesel” scandal that shocked Volkswagen a few years ago? It turns out that Volkswagen has installed software in millions of diesel vehicles, allowing them to cheat emissions tests. This has led to one of the largest class action solutions in automotive history.
Although the initial wave of claims ended in 2019, many states extended deadlines or created secondary funds to deal with later claims or cases that were still kidnapped in litigation. If you owned or rented an affected vehicle between 2009 and 2016 and did not file an application at the time, you are still eligible for compensation, repairs, or even vehicle repurchase.
Please contact the Volkswagen Settlement Site (or your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs) to see if you can still file a claim or appeal. Even if you miss the first round, some funds are still processing payments from qualified late filers.
7.401(k) Poor management litigation
Some employers face lawsuits over improperly managed employee retirement plans, including excessive expenses, investment options and conflicts of interest. Companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and others have reached settlements worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Although many courses are over, some settlements allow for delays in claims, especially if plan participants miss notifications or administrative delays. If you participated in the 401(k) program with your major employer between 2010 and 2020, please contact Satement Administration or the record keeper of your program.
It is sometimes possible to file a properly documented claim after the initial deadline, especially if there is evidence that you have not been notified or otherwise excluded from this process.
Don’t put money on the table
If you are like most people, you might think that the money in the old lawsuit is out of reach. But billions of unclaimed funds are still waiting for legitimate claimants, many of whom are not even aware of their qualifications.
Don’t put money on the table. Whether it’s a data breach, a bank scandal or a flawed product, you’re affected by at least one of these issues at some point.
Which of these settlements surprised you the most and did you file a claim?
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