$42 billion paid in US class action settlements in 2024 (third consecutive year). From data breaches to defective products, you may be owed money. Learn how to find settlements, file claims, and maximize your recovery.
Get an estimate of your potential compensation
A class action lawsuit allows one or more people (class representatives) to sue on behalf of a larger group (the class) who suffered similar harm from the same defendant. Instead of thousands of individual lawsuits, one case represents everyone.
Example: Company has data breach affecting 10 million customers. Rather than 10 million separate lawsuits, a class action combines all claims into one case. If settlement is $50 million, it gets divided among eligible class members who file claims.
Several websites track open class action settlements where you can file claims right now:
Comprehensive database of active lawsuits, open settlements, breaking legal news. Searchable by category, company, deadline.
Updated daily with new settlements. October 2025 featured 10+ claimable settlements. User-friendly interface with claim links.
Tracks settlements with deadlines, eligibility, proof requirements. Many settlements require no proof - just claim form.
Companies settle class actions constantly. With 1,488 data breach filings alone in 2024 and settlements exceeding $40B, new claim opportunities arise weekly. Set calendar reminder to check monthly.
Data breach class actions exploded in 2024 with 1,488 filings (more than double 2022's 604 filings). Top 5 settlements totaled $388.95 million:
What Happened: Healthcare ransomware breach affecting 600 patients and employees.
Settlement: $65M - largest on a per-patient basis for healthcare ransomware breach.
Per Person: Approximately $108,000 per affected person (600 victims). Actual distribution depends on claim form and proof of harm.
Significance: Sets precedent for high per-capita healthcare breach settlements due to sensitive medical data exposure.
What Happened: Multi-year data breach affecting over 131 million users across multiple incidents.
Settlement: $52M settlement with 50 U.S. states.
Per Person: Approximately $0.40 per affected user if all claim. Likely $5-$50 actual payment depending on claim rate.
Lesson: Large class size dilutes per-person payment even with substantial settlement.
What Happened: Failed to prevent data breach compromising sensitive consumer information.
Settlement: $40M class action settlement.
Status: Open for claims as of October 2025 (check TopClassActions.com for current status).
What Happened: Data breach affecting sensitive ancestry and genetic data.
Settlement: $30M settlement agreement.
Concerns: Genetic data particularly sensitive - cannot be changed like passwords or credit cards.
Settlement Structure: Tiered payment system based on harm:
Lesson: Keep receipts for credit monitoring, fraud resolution time, identity theft costs - can increase payout significantly.
What Happened: Texas Attorney General sued Meta for unlawful collection and use of biometric data (facial recognition) without consent, violating Texas law.
Settlement: $1.4 billion - largest ever privacy settlement in the United States.
Significance: Shows massive liability for biometric privacy violations. Sets precedent for state enforcement of privacy laws.
Illinois BIPA is the nation's strongest biometric privacy law. Violations carry statutory damages of $1,000-$5,000 per violation.
Facebook BIPA settlement (2023): $650M settlement, paid $397 each to 1.4 million Illinois users for facial recognition violations.
Other BIPA settlements: Google, Snapchat, TikTok, and others have settled BIPA claims for hundreds of millions. If you're in Illinois and used apps with facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, check for settlements.
Top 5 employment discrimination class action settlements in 2024 totaled $141 million:
Gender discrimination and sexual harassment claims. $54M settlement for female employees and contractors. Payments vary based on employment dates and positions.
Gender pay discrimination. $25M to resolve claims that Oracle paid women less than men for substantially similar work. Demonstrates value of pay equity litigation.
Important: Many employment class actions, especially under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for wage theft, are opt-in - you must affirmatively join to participate. Unlike most consumer class actions where you're automatically included, employment actions may require you to submit consent form. Check settlement notice carefully.
Case: Walter Merricks sued Mastercard for overcharging on behalf of 46 million UK consumers who used Mastercard between 1992-2008.
Settlement: £200M approved by CAT on May 20, 2025. Only the third collective settlement approved by CAT.
Per Person: Approximately £4.35 per person if all 46M claim (£200M ÷ 46M). Actual payment depends on claim rate and distribution plan approved by CAT.
Significance: First full trial of an opt-out CPO collective action, heard January 2024 with judgment December 19, 2024 by Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Represents 2.3 million BT landline-only customers allegedly overcharged. Awaiting judgment on liability and damages.
CAT granted Collective Proceedings Order on January 14, 2025. Ad Tech Collective Action LLP appointed class representative against Alphabet and others. Case proceeding.
Trial listed to commence October 7, 2025 with five-week time estimate. Major competition law case.
You are automatically included unless you take action to remove yourself.
Most people should NOT opt out - individual lawsuits are expensive and risky. Only opt out if you have substantial individual damages and attorney willing to take your case.
You must affirmatively join to participate.
UK: Most collective actions are opt-in. Must actively join. Check settlement notice carefully for whether opt-in or opt-out.
The notice (sent by mail/email or published in newspaper/online) tells you:
With $42 billion paid in US class action settlements in 2024 and 1,488 data breach cases filed, you're likely eligible for multiple settlements right now. Most people never claim because they don't know settlements exist.
Spend 30 minutes today checking ClassAction.org. You might find $500-$2,000 in unclaimed settlements waiting for you.
Use our calculator above to estimate what you might receive from a class action settlement based on settlement size, class size, and your damages. Get guidance on whether to participate.