AMERICANS can get their hands on free cash as companies grapple with costly lawsuits, with four open settlements handing out payments worth up to $48,000.
Time is running out to get your hands on the money, with consumers facing a November 17 deadline to submit valid claim forms.
Americans can get their hands on cash from four open class action settlements[/caption]
Class action lawsuits are legal cases that one or more individuals bring to court on behalf of a large group, or “class,” who have suffered similar harm under the hands of the same defendant.
In the US, payouts from these settlements reached $42 billion last year, following a record of more than $51 billion in 2023 and $66 billion in 2022, per Forbes.
Read up on four settlements that are currently open and shelling out millions of dollars to consumers.
NEIMAN MARCUS
Due to a Neiman Marcus data breach in May last year that put shoppers’ personal information at risk, the luxury retailer agreed to shell out $3.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit.
Customers were allegedly hit with identity theft, fraud, and other issues due to the breach, arguing that the company could have prevented it via reasonable cybersecurity measures.
Class members are entitled to a cash payment of up to $2,500 for documented losses related to the data compromise, such as bank fees, communication charges, and credit expenses.
All affected shoppers can also receive two years of free credit monitoring, valued at $108 per year.
Neiman Marcus shoppers must submit a valid claim form by October 8, 2025, via the settlement website in order to receive benefits.
AETNA
Aetna has agreed to pay $3.42 million to resolve claims it wrongfully denied coverage for proton beam therapy claims for localized prostate cancer treatment.
Per the lawsuit, the healthcare company denied precertification requests and post-service benefit claims, allegedly violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA.
The settlement benefits individuals who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and were part of an ERISA-governed employee welfare benefit plan that was either administered or insured by Aetna.
The relevant period for the denials is between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2024, with two main types of denials included in the settlement.
The first is pre-certification denials, which include individuals who submitted a request for proton beam therapy before their treatment and were denied.
The other is post-service denials, in which customers who were initially approved for proton beam therapy were later denied for claims after the service was provided.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
This lawsuit alleged that Aetna improperly categorized proton beam therapy as “experimental” or “investigational” to justify denying coverage.
Class members who submit a valid claim form by October 3, 2025, can receive a minimum payment of $12,000, with the potential for up to $48,000.
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL
Americans can also score cash from a Prudential Financial settlement, with $4.75 million up for grabs.
The financial services company is seeking to resolve claims that it failed to take steps to avert a data breach last February that compromised sensitive customer information like names, Social Security numbers, and addresses.
Those hit with out-of-pocket losses due to the breach are entitled to up to $5,000 for documented losses, such as credit-related expenses, ID replacement costs, and losses from identity theft or fraud.
Prudential Financial customers whose Social Security numbers or tax identification numbers were exposed can receive an impact payment ranging between $200 and $599.
Class members in California can receive a California Consumer Privacy Act payment from $100 to $599 if their driver’s license, passport, credit card information, or health data was leaked.
Those who do not qualify for any of the previous payments are entitled to a pro rata cash payment, which will vary based on how many participating class members there are.
Class members have until November 17, 2025, to submit a valid claim form.
CAPITAL ONE
Capital One is wrapped up in a legal battle, agreeing to cough up $425 million over claims that the bank failed to raise interest rates on its 360 Savings accounts despite bumping up rates on its 360 Performance Savings accounts, per the settlement website.
The company allegedly hid this information from customers, agreeing to hand out cash payments to account holders who held a Capital One 360 Savings account between September 18, 2019, and June 16, 2025.
Eligible individuals are entitled to a benefit based on the amount of interest they would have earned had their accounts paid the higher interest rate like the 360 Performance Savings accounts.
The Capital One settlement also includes $125 million in additional interest payments, to be paid out to those who maintain their 360 Savings accounts.
Customers who have closed their accounts or opt to shutter them prior to October 2, 2025, will not qualify to receive the additional interest payments.
Class members do not need to submit a claim form to benefit from the Capital One settlement, automatically receiving a payment if they do not exclude themselves.
Check out these three other settlements to claim with payments worth up to $6,500 before the November 11 deadline.
Plus, Americans can get checks worth $5,000 from a $1.36 million data breach settlement – to claim you need a crucial notice.
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