Clients rely on the expertise of Heffler Claims Group to deliver results. As a trusted leader in class action administration, our team of professionals offers over 45 years experience in managing the claims process, using a streamlined technology platform that enhances communications and performance. Our commitment to excellence and technical superiority is surpassed only by a lasting loyalty to our clients.
Heffler Claims Group Happenings
Meet the New Members of Our Team!
We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth ("Beth") Graham King, Esq., Mark P. Rapazzini, Esq., and James ("Jim") R. Prutsman, MBA, have joined the company as shareholders. Combined, Beth and Mark have over 50 years of experience as class action and mass tort attorneys and as settlement administration professionals. Jim has over 15 years of experience in class action settlement administration and has consulted with clients on the successful administration of some of the nation's largest class action settlements.
Testimonials
"… I’ve had them many times before me …
and I just
think they do a terrific job..."
The Honorable Stewart J.
Dalzell
Fairness Hearing
US District Court
Eastern District of PA
"... The administrator has had and has the
Court’s entire approval of its superior character and dedication.
They performed a Herculean task ably, efficiently and timely... "
The Honorable Milton Pollack
US District Court
Southern District of NY
"... To (their) significant credit, (they) rightfully
view their role as extending far beyond the clerical. They are
careful, thoughtful and honest professionals dedicated
to making sure that the rules are followed, and that all
claimants are treated fairly and forthrightly..."
Anthony J. Bolognese, Esq.
Bolognese & Associates, LLC
"... I think we’re fortunate in this district to have
them …. They’ve certainly been a great help to this judge in a
variety of contexts to say the least ..."
The Honorable Stewart J. Dalzell
Fairness Hearing
US District Court
Eastern District of PA
"... It could not have been done short of the
dedication and diligence pursued here by the administrator … they
have the Court’s entire thanks and approval."
The Honorable Milton Pollack
US District Court
Southern District of NY
"We again thank (Heffler, Radetich & Saitta’s
Litigation Support Services Group) for their exemplary and highly
cost efficient services in this matter."
The Honorable Stewart J. Dalzell
US District Court
Eastern District of PA
"... More often than not (fair and forthright treatment
of claimants) requires more that a blunt and rushed "accepted" or
"denied" stamp; it requires a close attention to detail and
understanding the demands and particulars of each case and each
claim. (Heffler) has executed that task flawlessly in all of its many
dealings with me."
Anthony J. Bolognese, Esq.
Bolognese & Associates, LLC
"We recently completed the process of overseeing restitution made to customers in a matter involving the execution of unsuitable variable annuity exchanges ... To help us make the distributions, we used as the Fund Administrator, the firm of Heffler, Radetich & Saitta, LLP…I would highly recommend that you get in touch with these individuals if you need administration services."
Howard L. Kneller, Esq.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Letter of Recommendation to Colleagues
"I was completely satisfied with the excellent work by Heffler in terms of diligence, skill levels,
efficiency, quality controls, responsiveness and
professionalism.I have used Heffler for other engagements of this type
(class action settlement administration) and have the same comments about those
engagements."
Alan M. Sandals, Esq.
Sandals & Associates, PC
"... Their work was excellent and their
service commitment first rate. On top of this, they managed
to get the job done at an extremely modest cost, which left more
money to be distributed to injured customers. It was indeed
a pleasure working with them and they were significantly
responsible for an excellent regulatory result ..."
Howard L. Kneller, Esq.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Letter of Recommendation to Colleagues
"Heffler has been an innovator and leader
among class action notice and administration firms for nearly four
decades. I have personally had the pleasure of knowing and
working with (them) for nearly 25 years. In every case,
(they) conducted themselves diligently, professionally and with the
utmost integrity, working collaboratively with me and my co-counsel
every step of the way..."
Anthony J. Bolognese, Esq.
Bolognese & Associates, LLC
Copyright 2013
Heffler Claims Group LLC. All Rights Reserved
CURRENCY CONVERSION FEE ANTITRUST LITIGATION
M 21-95, MDL NO. 1409
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Honorable Judge William H. Pauley III
Heffler Claims Group is engaged as Claims
and
Tax Administrator of the Currency Conversion Fee Antitrust
Litigation. The firm established a settlement escrow fund at the
direction of class counsel for the $336 million paid by the
defendants. The firm assisted Class Counsel in developing a Notice
and Proof of Claim form in two languages, which was mailed to over
40 million potential class members. A custom Website was developed
in two languages, to explain the litigation, to answer questions,
to provide copies of various documents and to allow claimants to
file their claims electronically via the internet. In addition,
Heffler Claims Group maintained a toll-free number that
provided answers to Frequently Asked Questions and provided access
to live, multilingual operators to assist with any questions or to
log a request for document copies during the filing period. The
firm worked with a media company to release the summary notice in
various print and electronic media with daily circulations of over
7.5 million. A total in excess of 10.2 million claims were filed in
this matter. The firm undertook an extensive audit program to test
the validity of various claims. Distribution is tentatively
scheduled for the end of calendar year 2011.
NASDAQ MARKET-MAKERS ANTITRUST LITIGATION
94 CIV. 3996, MDL NO. 1023
In the United States District Court for
the Southern
District of New York
Honorable Judge Robert W. Sweet
Heffler Claims Group was engaged as joint
Claims
Administrator of the NASDAQ Market-Makers Antitrust
Litigation. The
firm assisted counsel and a number of state
Attorneys General in
the development of the Plan of Allocation and
the Proof of Claim
form. This case required claimants to provide
transaction
information for many different securities and the firm
worked with
Class Counsel and an outside development team to create
an
electronic claim form to be used by those entities with large
amounts of transactions. Over 10 million Notices and Proof of
Claims were mailed to potential claimants and the firm received
more than 1.5 million claims. Because of the magnitude of this
litigation and its impact on the public, the firm utilized
state-of-the-art computer equipment and technologies in the
fulfillment of claim requests, processing of the claims,
calculation of the claims, and responses to correspondence and
telephone calls. This enabled the firm to mail distribution checks
to approved claimants on December 23, 2000, after having a
claim-filing deadline of December 8, 1999.
DOMESTIC AIR TRANSPORTATION ANTITRUST LITIGATION
MASTER FILE NO. 1:90-cv-2485,
MDL NO. 861
In the United States District Court
Northern District of
Georgia - Atlanta Division
Honorable Judge Marvin H. Shoob
Heffler Claims Group was hired to
administer the claims process and distribution of coupons in the
Airlines Antitrust Litigation shortly after the Notice and Proof of
Claim Forms were mailed to over 15 million potential class members.
The firm assisted Class Counsel in setting up a claims process that
allowed claimants to fill out three different types of Proofs of
Claim. Heffler Claims Group processed more than 4.2
million proof of claim forms received, using specially designed
detailed procedures to control how each of the three types of
claims (Claim Form Postcard A-fewer than five round trip tickets,
Claim Form Postcard B-at least five round trip tickets and Long
Claim Form C) were entered, processed and reviewed. In addition,
for Claim Form C the firm set up specific audit procedures to audit
the larger claims. Each of the audited claims
was
sent a letter requesting documentation. Documentation was
received,
evaluated, applicable claim adjustments were made and
claimants were
advised of adjusted claim amounts. The distribution
was in coupons,
not cash. Heffler Claims Group worked
closely with the
printers in the design and printing of the
certificate
booklets - booklets contained multiple number of
certificates based on
the claim value. In addition single
certificates were printed. Over
4 million coupon packets were
mailed. The firm also monitored the
printing to assure only
authorized certificates were issued.
Detailed procedures were
set-up and implemented on the processing of
coupon packets returned
as undeliverable.
LINERBOARD ANTITRUST LITIGATION
MDL DOCKET NO. 1261
In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Honorable Judge Jan E. Dubois
Heffler Claims Group was engaged as Claims
Administrator of the Linerboard Antitrust Litigation for both
notification and claims administration services. This matter
required the mailing of two notices prior to the final Notice and
Proof of Claim. At the appropriate time, the firm assisted counsel
in the preparation of the Proof of Claim form to properly capture
pertinent claimant information and class purchases. The Notice and
Proof of Claim form were sent to over 90,000 entities. The firm
received over 3,700 Proof of Claim forms, involving purchases from
nine separate defendants, and over 3600 claimants received a
recovery from the fund.
CENDANT CORPORATION LITIGATION
MASTER FILE NO. 98-1664
In The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Honorable Judge William H. Walls
The Cendant Corporation Securities Litigation was one
of
the largest dollar settlements in securities class actions to
date
and has one of the most complicated Plans of Allocation and
Proof
of Claim form processes. Heffler Claims Group
received in
excess of 122,000 Proof of Claim forms. Loss Amounts
were
calculated for common stock, merger shares, subordinated
debentures
and options using a formula requiring a separate
calculation for
every transaction, based on whether a claimant held
or sold their
securities and the date they originally purchased
their securities.
The firm performed extensive audits of
institutional and other
high-end claims to verify that each
transaction was properly
reflected in the claim calculation. In
addition to the firm's
procedures, an audit was conducted on all
of
its procedures and
calculations by an independent accounting firm,
which resulted in
no significant exceptions or adjustments to the
claims calculation
algorithm.
KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION
MASTER CASE NO. 06-CV-04065 CRB
United States District Court for the
Northern District of California -
San Francisco Division
The Honorable Charles R. Breyer
Heffler Claims Group was engaged as the
claims administrator in
the KLA-Tencor Securities Litigation for
both the notification and
claims administration process. The
settlement provided a cash
settlement fund of $65,000,000 for the
benefit of investors of
common stock and call options, who suffered
a Recognized Loss
during the Class Period. Heffler Claims
Administration arranged to
have over 381,000 Notices mailed to
potential class members and
received in excess of 60,000 Proofs of
Claim (over 48,000 of which
were filed electronically by large
institutions or nominees).
The settlement involved a complex Plan of
Allocation, where Recognized
Loss amounts were based on the
sub-periods in which the securities
were purchased and whether the
securities were sold during one of
the sub-periods or held until the
end of the class period. The Heffler
Claims Administration
worked with claimants to
ensure claims were filed properly and
supporting documentation was
supplied. Valid claims represented
total Recognized Losses of over
$344 million and pro rata payments
were made to over 11,600
claimants.
SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION SECURITIES LITIGATION
MASTER FILE NO.
01-CV-0829(KSH/MF)
In The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
The Honorable Katherine S. Hayden
The Schering Plough Securities Litigation settlement
provides a
$165,000,000 cash settlement fund for the benefit of
investors who
purchased shares of Schering-Plough Corporation common
stock from
May 9, 2000, through February 15, 2001. Heffler Claims
Administration received in excess of 71,000 Proofs of Claim (over
57,500 of which were filed electronically by large institutions or
nominees). The matter involves a complex Plan of Allocation and
Proof of Claim form processes, where Recognized Claim amounts were
calculated for common stock purchased during the class period. It
includes using a formula and algorithm that requires a separate
calculation and comparison for each transaction matched on a
first-in, first-out basis, whether a claimant held or sold their
shares, and the date they purchased (and, if applicable, sold)
their shares. Extensive audits of institutional and other high-end
claims were conducted to verify that each claim was calculated
properly.
AMERICAN BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
NOTEHOLDERS LITIGATION
MASTER FILE NO. 05-232
In the United States District Court for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Honorable Thomas N. O'Neill, Jr.
Heffler Claims Group was engaged as the
claims administrator in
the ABFS Noteholders Litigation for both the
Notification and
Claims Administration processes. This Settlement
provided a fund of
$16.7 million to pay claims of persons who,
during the Class
Period, bought or rolled over Notes issued by ABFS.
ABFS filed for
Bankruptcy owing Noteholders the principal and
interest on their
Notes. The firm assisted in the preparation and
arranged for the
printing of the Summary Notice and assisted in the
preparation and
mailing of the Notice and the Claim Form. Notice and
Claim Forms
were mailed to over 29,000 potential class members and
the firm
received over 14,500 claims. The firm reviewed each claim
filed to
ensure the accuracy of the claimed amounts, reviewed
supporting
documentation and defendants records, and calculated an
allowed
amount for each claim. A distribution was made to class
members
totaling over $11.8 million, which represented $365 million
in
principal and interest on outstanding Notes.
BELLIFEMINE, et al. v. SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
C.A. NO. 07-2207
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of NY
Heffler Claims Group is currently engaged as
Claims Administrator
for the Bellifemine, et al. v. Sanofi-Aventis
U.S. LLC settlement.
The firm assisted Defendant's Counsel in
the
mailing of the Notice
of Class Action Settlement to women who are
or
were employed as
sales professionals or district sales managers
for
Sanofi-Aventis
in the United States from May 12, 2005 through
March
23, 2010. With
over 5,200 Class Members in this settlement, the
firm
is handling
correspondence, change of address requests and other
questions and
concerns. Heffler Claims Group will
distribute over $8.1
million to Class Members based upon a Base Pay
Regression Analysis
and the Claim Form Discrimination Component. The
firm will also
calculate the applicable federal and state employment
taxes on the
distributions and send applicable W-2 forms to the
payees.
MACHADO et al., v. G&G POULTRY, INC., et al.
Heffler Claims Group is engaged as Claims
Administrator for the
Machado et al., v. G&G Poultry, Inc.
settlement of unpaid minimum
wage class action. The firm assisted
Defendant's Counsel in the set
up of a disbursing agent (bank)
to
disburse the qualified
settlement fund to Class Members. Heffler
Claims Administration
will calculate, withhold and deposit to all
authorities the
appropriate payroll taxes for each Class Member
receiving a
distribution check from the Settlement Fund.
JAMES A. MEHLING, et al., v. NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE
CO., et al.
Heffler Claims Group is engaged as Claims
Administrator for the
New York Life Insurance Co. 401(k) and Pension
Plans settlement
litigation. The team assisted Class Counsel in the
mailing of
Notices and Claim Forms to current or former employees
who lost
money in their retirement accounts held by NYLIC. With over
45,000
potential Class Members in this settlement, the firm handled
opt-
outs, objections, correspondence, change of address requests
and
all questions and concerns, including telephone calls, Emails
and
letters via mail and fax. The firm calculated distributions to
current and former employees and agents, and worked with NYLIC to
facilitate payments to 14,995 current 401(k) participant accounts,
along with a payment notification to each current participant.
Checks to 5,276 former 401(k) participants were distributed,
including an option to rollover distributions to a different
retirement account. The firm also coordinated with NYLIC federal
and state tax payments and reporting specific to the 401(k)
settlement distributions.
WARREN F. REINHART, et al., v. LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES
INC., et al.
Heffler Claims Group was engaged as Claims
Administrator for the
Lucent ERISA settlement litigation. The team
assisted Class Counsel
in the mailing of Notices to current or
former employees who lost
money in their retirement accounts held by
Lucent through Fidelity
Investments. The firm worked exclusively
with them on numerous
questions concerning their options. With over
135,000 Class Members
in this settlement, the firm handled
correspondence, change of
address requests and all
questions/concerns: over 8,700 telephone
calls, over 1,000 e-mails
and over 200 through letters via mail and
fax. Heffler Claims
Administration worked with Fidelity in
distributing funds to
employees and assisting with responses to
inquiries from employees
concerning settlement amounts.
PET FOOD PRODUCTS LIABILTY LITIGATION
CIVIL ACTION NO. 07-2867 (NLH) (All Cases), MDL NO. 1850
In the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Honorable Judge Noel L. Hillman
In the United States District Court for the District
of New Jersey
Heffler Claims Group is engaged as Claims
Administrator of
the Pet Food Products Liability Litigation for both
Notification
and Claims Administration services, involving a
settlement fund of
$24 million to reimburse class members for the
out-of-pocket
expenses they incurred as a result of the alleged
contamination of
certain recalled pet food products. The Settlement
was approved in
the United States Court, as well as nine provincial
Courts
throughout Canada.
The firm coordinated publication of a
Summary Notice in print and
electronic media in various publications
through the United States
and Canada, and printed and mailed over
34,000 Notices and Proofs
of Claim to potential class members
throughout the United States
and Canada. The firm's Technology
Services Group created a Website
dedicated to the litigation, which
is available in English, Spanish
and French Canadian. The website
provides all relevant documents,
FAQs and allows for class members
to submit claims and requests for
information through the Website.
Class Members were requested to
complete the claim form identifying
all expenses incurred relating
to the purchase of recalled pet
foods, the medical expenses
incurred to treat their affected pets,
and any additional economic
damages they incurred as a direct result
of the alleged
contaminated foods. The firm received 25,590 claim
forms.
Distribution checks were printed and mailed to 19,994
approved
claimants.
Esslinger v HSBC
CASE NO. 2:10-CV-03213
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Honorable Berle M. Schiller
Heffler is working in conjunction with eleven Plaintiff's firms as claims are received in this current case. Heffler successfully completed the printing and mailing of 16.4 million postcards over a two week period. We designed and implemented a website to provide important case documents to class members, to allow downloading of claim forms and to allow for filing of claims online. Heffler staffed a call center which provided claimants access to an IVR system which provided automated responses to frequently asked questions, as well as access to live operators to address more specific claimant inquiries including requests for claim forms. Our call center flexibility allows us to monitor staffing levels to properly address call volumes on a day-to-day basis and we adjusted the number of operators in response to demand and reported waiting times.
KARDONICK, et al. v. JP MORGAN CHASE CO. et al.
CASE NUMBER 1:10-cv-23235-WMH
In The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida Miami Division
Honorable Senior Judge William M. Hoeveler
In 2010, Heffler Claims Group was hired to administer the claims process and distribution in the Kardonick v. JP Morgan Chase matter. Notice and Proof of Claim forms were mailed to approximately 15 million potential class members. The settlement was for $20 million to cover all administration expenses, fees and awards and the distribution to valid claimants. As part of the administration the firm established a website that allowed class members to obtain documentation regarding the settlement, submit questions, obtain a copy of the claim form and file claims electronically. The firm also established and maintained a toll-free number that provided information and allowed the caller to speak with an operator. In excess of 200,000 claims have been filed in this matter.
Kazemi v. National Apparel Retailer
CASE NO. CV09-5142 EMC
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Honorable Edward M. Chen
Heffler was engaged by Defendants to administer this class action settlement. The lawsuit alleged that a National Apparel Retailer, in violation of a federal statute, sent unwanted and unsolicited text messages to cell phone subscribers promoting the Retailer's products between October 29, 2005 and October 4, 2010. The Complaint alleged that the National Apparel Retailer had violated certain federal statutes and regulations requiring, among other things, companies not to send text messages to customers who had asked to be placed on the company's Do-Not-Call list. Class Members were required to submit a timely, truthful, accurate, and properly completed Claim Form in order to receive a single use merchandise certificate worth $25. Heffler worked with Defendant's and Plaintiffs' Counsel and an advertising agent to send notice of the settlement to over 1.8 million e-mail addresses. We also created a settlement website, which provided complete information regarding the case - including documents which could be viewed or downloaded, the opportunity to file a claim form electronically on-line, answers to frequently-asked questions, and a contact form for inquiries. Additionally, Heffler created a toll-free telephone IVR system providing recorded information regarding the case and the claim filing process. Heffler received and processed over 22,000 claim forms and assisted in the design of the merchandise certificates and implementation of a system to record and track the certificates' use in the Defendant's retail stores. If approved, claimants supplied an e-mail address on their claim form and the certificate was e-mailed to them. If they did not supply an e-mail address, the certificate was printed and mailed to them.
SEC v. SPECIALIST FIRMS
Administrative Proceedings
3-11445, 3-11446, 3-11447,
3-11448, 3-11449, 3-11558 & 3-11559
Heffler Claims Group is involved in a case
initiated by the SEC and NYSE against seven specialist firms. The
firm was appointed Fund Administrator of the seven distribution
funds. The seven funds combined, which included disgorgement funds
and civil penalties one entity also paid post-judgment interest),
exceeded $247 million. The firm worked with the NYSE, Clearing
Member firms and various Nominees to identify and attempt to
receive, the class member information for approximately 2.6 million
damaged transactions resulting from the Specialist firms'
alleged
trading violations. A total of six distributions have
occurred to
date totaling over $141 million of disgorgement and
interest to
harmed investors.
The SEC also engaged Heffler Claims
Administration
as the Tax Administrator for these matters. They
involved seven
separate entities and the firm has and continues to
prepare
quarterly tax estimates and file the annual tax returns for
the
funds, and for submitting a quarterly fund analysis to the
Commission. In addition, the Firm has and continues to coordinate
the investments with the escrow agents to prepare for any potential
future distributions, tax and expense payments that may arise from
the fund.
SEC v. FIRST JERSEY SECURITIES, INC. AND ROBERT E. BRENNAN
CASE NO. 85 CIV 8585 (RO)
United States District Court for the
Southern District of
New York
Heffler Claims Group is currently engaged as the Claims Agent to distribute the disgorged funds resulting from the SEC vs. First Jersey Securities, Inc. and Robert E. Brennan litigation. The firm has maintained a database with the claimants' investment information from the Spatola, et al. vs. First Jersey Securities, Inc., et al., civil action No. 85-6059. On December 3, 2004, Heffler Claims Group assisted in and oversaw the mailing of the Notice of Distribution Plan for Disgorged Funds (the "Notice") approved by the Court on November 15, 2004, to over 82,871 names and addresses from the Spatola action. This claimant database along with additional records from claims filed from the Notice is also being used in distributing the Disgorged Funds collected by the SEC. Heffler Claims Group has assisted the SEC in developing a Plan of Distribution of Disgorged Funds (the "Plan of Distribution" or the "Plan"). On October 16, 2006, the firm issued Initial Pro Rata Distribution checks to 53,880 Recognized Claimants, totaling over $28 million, who had Class A and/or Class C securities only as defined in the Spatola action and as approved in the Plan of Distribution.
The approved Plan allows for Subsequent Pro-Rata Distributions from unclaimed and/or additional funds. On December 28, 2007, in the First Subsequent Pro Rata Distribution, Heffler Claims Group issued 33,874 checks totaling over $5.6 million to claimants who had Class A, Class B and Class C securities. In July 2011,the firm issued the second subsequent Pro-Rata Distribution, totaling over $370,000 to more than 2,900 claimants.
SEC v. KNIGHT SECURITIES L.P.
Administrative Proceeding No.
3-11771
Heffler Claims Group is currently engaged as
the Independent Distribution Consultant and has been appointed
as
the Tax Administrator in a case initiated by the US Securities
and
Exchange Commission against Knight Securities, L.P. The total
disgorgement funds, prejudgment interest and civil penalties placed
in escrow exceed $66,800,000. The firm reviewed various documents
and records supplied by Knight Securities to determine
the identity
of the appropriate institutional customers damaged by
the firm's
alleged violations. The Plan of Distribution has been
submitted to
the SEC, and distributions have been made to the
identified
institutions.
SEC v. SAM M. ANTAR, et al.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 93-3988 (HAA)
United States District Court for the
Southern District of
New York
Heffler Claims Group was appointed as the
Distribution Agent in the SEC v Sam M. Antar, et al. Civil Action
No. 93-3988 (HAA) in the United States District Court for New
Jersey. On October 21, 2005, Heffler Claims Group
distributed $6 million to over 7,700 class members. On March 18,
2009, the firm distributed over $6.75 million to over 7,500 class
members in a subsequent distribution of both unclaimed and
additional Disgorgement Funds. These distributions were based on
claimants who filed in the following two actions:
Heffler Claims
Administration was appointed to facilitate the Proof of
Claim
calculation and distribution of the Securities and Exchange
Commission v. Eddie Antar, et al. Civil Action No. 89-3773 (JCL) in
1997 and 1998. The two distributions from this litigation entailed
over 10,700 claimants receiving distributions with the total
combined check amounts of over $55 million. In April, 1993, Heffler
Claims Administration mailed approximately 54,000 Notices and Proof
of Claim forms to class members in the In Re Crazy Eddie Securities
Litigation Action, 87 CIV. 0033 (EHN). The firm received 13,608
claim forms and distributed 11,093 checks to court approved
claimants in 1996.
ASBESTOS SCHOOL LITIGATION
MASTER FILE NO. 83-0268
In the United States District Court for
the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania
Honorable Chief Judge James T. Giles
Heffler Claims Group employed the use of
Internet claim filing to make it more convenient for claimants to
file long, complicated claim forms. The Asbestos School Litigation
claim form required the claimant to provide detailed information on
their expenditures of asbestos abatement, encapsulation and
monitoring, along with costs of certain defendant products that
were installed. The filing of claims through the Internet and by
computer diskette provided the claimant with instructions and the
format to file a completed claim. Since the claimant could not
upload the claim to the firm's database unless it was
completed,
this eliminated numerous pieces of written
correspondence, reduced
the deficiencies on the claim and therefore
reduced administration
time. Through the firm's Website, Heffler
Claims Administration was
able to respond through e-mail on a daily
basis, to all class
members' questions concerning the Notice,
Claim
Form and
settlements. Finally, due to this mode of claim
filing, the
firm's
review and/or audit of the completed claims
were started upon
receipt.
MCCULLOM LAKE VILLAGE (GATES v. ROHM AND HAAS, et
al.)
NO. 06-1743
In the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania Heffler Claims Group was hired as
the Claims Administrator in this action involving residents and
homeowners located in McCullom Lake Village, McHenry County,
Illinois. The lawsuit claimed that the defendant companies engaged
in activities that caused certain chemicals to be released into the
air and water. It was alleged that exposure to these chemicals
could increase the risk of brain tumors. In addition, the alleged
contamination was claimed to have caused damage to properties.
Notices and Claim Forms were mailed to potential class members who
currently owned or previously owned property in McCullom Lake
Village.
Over 390 claimants filed a property claim, in which Heffler
Claims Administration verified the ownership of properties and in
some cases split claims to a property due to more than one owner
during the specified Class Period. Property damage claimants were
paid a pro rata percentage from the Settlement Fund based on the
number of properties they owned. Over 900 claimants filed a claim
for medical monitoring reimbursement. Each medical monitoring
claimant was allowed up to a specified dollar amount that could be
used to reimburse the claimant for medical testing for the
screening of potential brain tumors. Claimants had the option to
pay their medical bills up front and be reimbursed from the
Settlement Fund or have the medical testing facility issue a bill
to the Claims Administrator for direct payment to that medical
facility.
BOGOSIAN, ET AL. v. GULF, et al.
Heffler Claims Group was engaged to
administer the Bogosian, et al. v. Gulf et al. Class Action. Over
24,000 claimants filed claims. Before the Notice could be mailed it
was necessary to create the mailing list. The firm sent teams to
various locations across the United States. These teams, enhanced
with temporary staff, searched through records in warehouses to
manually capture the information that was used to create the
mailing list. Notices were mailed to over 100,000 potential
claimants and in addition notice was published nationally in trade
journals distributed to all gas station lessee dealers. After an
analysis of all the claims that included detailed audits on large
claims, payments were made to over 18,000 claimants.
DIET DRUGS (PHENTERMINE/FENFLURAMINE/ DEXFENFLURAMIN) PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION
CIVIL ACTION NO. 99-20593, MDL NO. 1203
In the United State District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Heffler Claims Group serves as the fund administrator of the Diet Drugs Products Liability Litigation, and is responsible for the administration of claims for payment in the $1.275 billion, 7th Amendment Supplemental Class Settlement Fund. The claims administration process required the firm to procure claim forms and a medical review by a participating physician of a relevant echocardiogram, for the approximate 40,000 Category One class members who have been identified by the AHP Settlement Trust. The Firm's Technology Services Group developed both an electronic and paper Proof of Claim form giving Class Members a choice of the type of claim form to file. The Technology Services Group also designed an interactive website for Class Members to file Proofs of Claim and receive current status reports on their claims. In addition, they custom software was designed to read and collect measurements made by a participating physician from a Class Member's echocardiogram. Correspondence with either Class Members or their counsel regarding the results of Medical Reviews was handled by the Heffler Claims Group.
OXYCONTIN LITIGATION
Heffler Claims Group served as the Claims Administrator in this action involving plaintiffs who had been prescribed OxyContin Tablets and who may have incurred medical expenses that were alleged to be a result of using OxyContin. The firm received a listing of plaintiffs from Class Counsel and was instructed to mail claim packages to each plaintiff requesting that they complete the forms and return them directly to Counsel. Class Counsel notified the firm of any claims received from plaintiffs. They created a database file to store the claimants' information and to ensure that all plaintiffs had responded with a claim. At the direction of Counsel, the firm mailed reminder letters to any plaintiff who had not responded to the claim request. Over 1,100 claims were received and keyed into the database. A detailed Settlement Fund Analysis was created to assist Counsel in determining the amounts to distribute to Counsel, as well as the available amounts to distribute to claimants. Heffler Claims Group also calculated and paid any applicable taxes due from the settlement, assisted in the distribution to claimants and mailed checks to over 900 claimants in this matter.
