The public can also go directly to the court and perform records searches at the clerk's office. Performing an internet search for the court where the case is located is a starting point to look for records. The court's website will provide contact information as well as links to online court records, if available.
Full Answer
How do I get my share of a class action lawsuit settlement?
If you a current or former customer or stockholder in a company named in a class action lawsuit, you must file a claim with the court or claims administrator to receive your share. Settlement payments to class members will not show up in a state unclaimed property search, and legal notices in newspapers are...
How do you find information about lawsuits?
Lawsuits are public record, and anyone can find information about lawsuits by searching the court's docket, either online or in person at the county clerk's office. If the lawsuit is a federal lawsuit, a person can go to the courthouse, or search the court's electronic filing system for a fee. The filings in most lawsuits are public record.
How do I find unclaimed settlement checks?
If you search in a specific state, you'll see any unclaimed property, bank accounts or other assets reported in that state only. If you've lived in multiple states, go to each state website to run a search. The claim process varies by state, but you'll generally just need to produce proof of identity for an unclaimed settlement check.
How do lawyers get paid when a case settles?
When a case settles, the attorneys who handled the case will collect a percentage of the settlement or receive a fee award separate from the settlement. The lawyers get paid, and so should you.
How do you find settlements in Westlaw?
To access these databases, click Dockets, Trial Filings, and Jury Verdicts at the top of the page, then click a link, e.g., National Jury Verdicts, in the Jury Verdicts section.
What is the largest amount ever awarded in a US civil case?
$206 billionThe Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA): $206 billion The Tobacco MSA was entered into during November of 1998, and is the largest settlement in history.
How do you do a verdict search on Lexis?
To access it, click the menu button in the top left corner of the screen. Then select Verdict & Settlement Analyzer. You can search everything or narrow by jurisdiction, practice area, and date.
What is jury verdict Research?
Jury Verdicts/Settlements Verdict, as defined by Black's Law Dictionary, is "a jury's finding or decisions on the factual issue of a case. Loosely, in a nonjury trial, a judge and resolution of the issue of a case." (8th edition)
What happens if you win a civil suit?
When you "win" a civil case in court, the jury or judge may award you money damages. In some situations the losing party against whom there is a judgment (also known as a debtor), either refuses to follow the court order or cannot afford to pay the amount of the judgment.
What is the largest punitive damages ever awarded?
This award is historically significant for several reasons First, as already stated, the $28 billion in damages was the largest ever awarded to an individual plaintiff (in 2000, $145 billion in punitive damages was awarded by a Florida jury, but the case was a class-action with over 500,000 plaintiffs).
Is LexisNexis available to the public?
LexisNexis provides its customers with access to a variety of publicly available information, public records, and non-public information.
What is LexisNexis used for?
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions provides customers with solutions and decision tools that combine public and industry specific content with advanced technology and analytics to assist them in evaluating and predicting risk and enhancing operational efficiency.
What is LexisNexis used for in law?
LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world.
Why do juries give large awards?
It concluded that “jury verdicts influence the behavior of users of the civil justice system by helping to value future disputes and creating legal precedents … Juries decide cases totaling billions of dollars annually, and jury decisions set standards that influence social behavior.”
What does a quick jury verdict usually mean?
Quick verdicts generally favor the defendant. As hours stretch on, it signals that jurors are taking evidence seriously and consider the evidence to have at least some validity. This deep study of verdicts says the reason that convictions often take longer is that the burden of proof is on the prosecution.
Is the jury's verdict final?
Criminal law In U.S. legal nomenclature, the verdict is the finding of the jury on the questions of fact submitted to it. Once the court (the judge) receives the verdict, the judge enters judgment on the verdict. The judgment of the court is the final order in the case.
What's the largest lawsuit settlement ever?
A List of The Biggest class action settlementsTobacco settlements for $206 billion [The Largest Ever] ... BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill $20 billion. ... Volkswagen emissions scandal $14.7 billion. ... Enron securities fraud $7.2 billion. ... WorldCom accounting scandal $6.1 billion. ... Fen-Phen diet drugs $3.8 billion.More items...•
What is the most expensive court case in US history?
The McMartin Preschool Abuse Trial, the longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history, should serve as a cautionary tale. When it was all over, the government had spent seven years and $15 million dollars investigating and prosecuting a case that led to no convictions.
What is the largest personal injury settlement ever?
Here are the Largest Personal Injury Settlements in US History$150 Billion For The Family of Robert Middleton. ... $4.9 Billion For The Anderson Family From General Motors. ... Gas Station Manager Awarded $60 Million After Suffering Brain Injuries Caused by Derailed Train. ... Ford Motor Co.More items...•
What is the largest punitive damage case in the US?
The class action lawsuit, originally filed by a husband and wife legal team, Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt, in 1994 on behalf of an estimated 300000-700000 smokers in Florida, created a sensation as the largest punitive damages award in US history.
How to file a claim for a settlement?
If you find a settlement you qualify for, click "file a claim" to be directed to the attorney's website handling the case. The majority of claims allow you to complete and submit the claim request online.
What to do if you think you are owed money from a settlement?
If you think you may be owed money from a settlement, you can search and track down the funds you're entitled. When property isn't claimed, it doesn't vanish. States maintain the money and wait for the rightful owners to come forward and claim it.
How long does it take for a check to be cashed?
The payments are generally issued in the form of a check. If the check isn't cashed within 90 days or is returned due to a change in address or undeliverable status, the trustee hands the funds over to the court and they become unclaimed funds. Video of the Day.
What is an unclaimed property?
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators provides access to every state's unclaimed property website. If you search in a specific state, you'll see any unclaimed property, bank accounts or other assets reported in that state only. If you've lived in multiple states, go to each state website to run a search. The claim process varies by state, but you'll generally just need to produce proof of identity for an unclaimed settlement check.
Can you get a class action settlement from a bank?
There are multiple websites that offer lists of open class action settlements you may qualify for based on services you've received or products you've purchased. You may even be eligible for class action settlements from banks, credit card companies, cell phone carriers or debt collectors. A few of the settlement resource websites include:
Can you search for unclaimed funds in bankruptcy?
If you were a debtor who filed bankruptcy, you may be owed funds leftover from liquidating assets or from a dismissed case. If you didn't receive the trustee check, you can search for unclaimed funds you may be owed. Both claimants and debtors can search for unclaimed funds in the state where the bankruptcy case was filed.
What happens to money that’s left on the table after a settlement deadline has passed?
The lawyers get paid, and so should you. Don’t leave your money on the table – it could very well be returned to the defendant, leaving little encouragement for big corporations to change their ways.
When did anyone get included in the class settlement?
Anyone is generally included in this class settlement if they own or owned buildings or residences built on or after January 1, 2002 that contain (or contained) Uponor yellow brass fittings.
What does the Dominion National settlement cover?
This settlement covers those whose personal information was stored on Dominion National’s computer network and may have been accessed during a security incident.
How many people were affected by Equifax?
If you are one of the estimated 147 million people affected by the September 2017 Equifax data breach, you may be included in the settlement.
What happens when a class action lawsuit settles?
When a class action lawsuit settles, people who could collect part of the settlement may receive a letter in the mail or an e-mail that contains instructions on how to claim their money or refunds. In some cases, however, attorneys working on the case have no way of gathering the contact information of people who could claim part of a final settlement.
When did Hyatt settle fingerprints?
This settlement covers current and former Hyatt employees who scanned their fingerprint using Hyatt’s timekeeping system as a requirement for employment between October 30, 2012 and December 16, 2018.
When will Broward County settle parking?
Anyone in the United States who purchased parking from Broward County at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at any time between June 28 and October 31, 2018, or between April 5 and 22, 2019 may be able to claim a piece of this settlement. Visit Official Settlement Website.
What is the VerdictSearch Research Group?
Our trusted VerdictSearch Research Group will help you quickly receive the case-winning information you need. Our experts are skilled in how to extract the precise information needed to give you an edge over your competition.
What makes a juror sympathetic to one plaintiff?
Screening jurors is a delicate process that involves myriad factors. A trait that makes a juror sympathetic to one plaintiff may very well count against another plaintiff. One fairly consistent trait is economic background. Quite simply, wealthy jurors tend to favor defendants, while low-earning jurors tend to favor plaintiffs. Need specifics? The accompanying chart, based on cases reported to VerdictSearch in California, Florida, New York and Texas, shows that plaintiffs generally have the best chance of winning when their case is heard by jurors from areas in which the average annual per capita income is less than $20,000 (red bars on the a ...Show More
How to find court records?
Performing an internet search for the court where the case is located is a starting point to look for records. The court's website will provide contact information as well as links to online court records, if available. The National Center for State Court's website contains links to court records sites for every state.
What is the name of the document that is kept in court?
Court records are kept in what is called the docket, which is a list of all the documents filed in the case as well as text entries for proceedings like hearings that have been held and hearings that are scheduled.
What is civil case?
Civil proceedings are any proceedings that are not for the prosecution of a crime, such as lawsuits for personal injury and wrongful death, bankruptcy proceedings, lawsuits for breach of contract and anything else that is not criminal including divorce and family law proceedings. Criminal proceedings are also generally public record.
What are federal cases?
Federal cases include civil and criminal proceedings filed in federal district courts as well as appeals in the U.S. circuit courts of appeal and the United States Supreme Court. They also include bankruptcy filings and filings in the U.S. Tax Court. District court filings, circuit courts of appeal filings and bankruptcy court filings are all ...
Is a criminal case a public record?
Criminal proceedings are also generally public record. In civil and criminal matters, certain information may be kept confidential such as the names of parties or victims who are minors or who are victims of sexual assault. Parties to lawsuits can also request that certain sensitive records be sealed and kept private.
Can you view public court records without registering?
The U.S. Tax Court allows docket searches for the public, but no one can view the actual records without registering as either a taxpayer with a pending case or as an attorney. Read More: How to Find Public Court Records for Free Online.
Can you look up a lawsuit?
The filings in most lawsuits are public record. Exceptions exist for certain types of criminal proceedings or for cases involving minors, but for the most part, anyone can look at the court's docket and review the documents filed in a court case. All federal courts and many state courts offer online court records for a fee. Interested persons can also go directly to the courthouse or the court clerk's office and search records in person.
How much has class action settlements exceeded?
Recent class action settlements have exceeded $10 billion. More than half of those entitled to receive payment never even file a claim – because they are unaware of the lawsuit, or don’t know how to proceed.
What happens if you file a class action lawsuit?
If you a current or former customer or stockholder in a company named in a class action lawsuit, you must file a claim with the court or claims administrator to receive your share. Settlement payments to class members will not show up in a state unclaimed property search, and legal notices in newspapers are easily missed.
Can you be notified of class action claims?
Legal notice of class action claims eligibility is often buried deep in newspaper classifieds. If you’ve moved, physically hold stock certificates, or hold stock in street name and switch brokers, you may not be notified.
Where are court records transferred?
When court records and case files are eligible for permanent preservation, they are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for storage and preservation.
Is there a fee for court opinions on PACER?
Court opinions are available for free on PACER to anyone with an account. Additionally, access to court opinions from many appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts are available for no fee in a text searchable format through a partnership with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), consistent with the E-Government Act.
When is the Tula settlement due?
The company reached a settlement over allegations of falsely advertising the products as containing “probiotics.” Claim Deadline is Friday, 10 December 2021.
Who is the defendant in the TCPA case?
Defendant: Citizens for Rauner, Inc. and Bruce Rauner (TCPA) Individuals who received calls or ringless voicemail messages to their cell phone from Citizens for Rauner between March 23, 2014 and May 13, 2021 may eligible for cash payment.
What is class action database?
Consumer Action maintains this listing of notable class actions so that interested consumers can learn more, join a pending action or make a claim. You can sort the listing three ways—actions or settlements that are (1) open to claims, (2) pending or (3) closed—or use the calendar to search for upcoming claims deadlines.
