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What is this lawsuit about?

The Plaintiffs (the BRANFORD MANOR tenants bringing the lawsuit) claim that the Defendants (the owner and the management companies) failed, among other things, to properly maintain the tenants’ apartments at BRANFORD MANOR during the time period and, as a result, that the tenants suffered injuries and financial loss. The Defendants deny that the apartments were improperly maintained during that period and deny that tenants suffered injuries and financial loss as a result of the condition of the apartments.

What is eligible?

Any person who was listed on the rental forms at BRANFORD MANOR for some or all of the “time period” is a Class Member who can participate in the settlement. Infants born during the time period are also included even if they were not on a rental form.

What Can I Receive?

If the Judge approves the settlement, then class members who choose to participate in the settlement by sending in Claim Form #1 (the Base Payment Claim Form) will receive:

1. Base Payments. As a class member, if you choose to participate in the settlement, you and your family members who are also class members will receive Base Payments for authorized residency  – meaning you are listed on the rental forms – at Branford Manor during the Class Period of November 23, 2019 to November 22, 2022, calculated as follows, with a year defined to equal 365 days:
   • For adults with three years of residency during the Class Period, $6,000; 
   • For adults with at least two but less than three years of residency during the Class Period, $4,000; and 
   • For adults with less than two years of residency during the Class Period, $2,000.
   • For minors (birth to 18 years old) with three years of residency during the Class Period, $3,000; 
   • For minors with at least two but less than three years of residency during the Class Period, $2,000; and 
   • For minors with less than two years of residency during the Class Period, $1,000.

   • Years of residency will be calculated based on Related Management Companies’ records of authorized tenancy (with the exception for infants as described in in paragraph 22(a)(2) of the Settlement Agreement). Treatment as an adult or minor is based on age attained while residing at Branford Manor during the class period.

   • Settlement payments to children less than 18 years old may be subject to the supervision of the Probate Court.

   • Claims for now-deceased individuals must be made by a Probate Court-appointed representative.

2. Enhanced Payments. If you believe that you or your children suffered serious illness or injuries or serious property damage at BRANFORD MANOR after November 23, 2019 and before November 22, 2022, you or your family members may be eligible to receive additional money to compensate you or your family members for the injuries or property damage. If the Judge approves the settlement, then he will appoint a panel of three qualified people called “Special Masters” who will review claims for Enhanced Payments and determine the amounts, if any, that you or your family members will receive as an Enhanced Payment award.
   • In addition to Base Payments and Attorneys’ fees, nearly $4 million has been set aside for these payments and some other expenses involved in the lawsuit, so the amount each person gets will depend on how many people receive awards and how severe the Special Masters consider each person’s illness, injuries, or property damage to be.
   • In order to be eligible to receive Enhanced Payments, you must fill out and send in both Claim Form #1 (the Base Payment Claim Form) for your family, and a Claim Form #2 (the Enhanced Payment Claim Form) for EACH family member claiming these injuries.
   • You may have to pay liens for public benefits or incarceration costs out of any Payment you receive.
   • Settlement payments to children less than 18 years old may be subject to the supervision of the Probate Court. See FAQ 3 for more information.
3. The Enhanced Payments described above are not reduced by attorneys’ fees. As part of the settlement, Defendants are responsible for separately paying class members’ attorneys’ fees. The Judge will determine the amount of the payment.
   • Requirements under state law for settlement payments to children under the age of 18.

These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in the Notice. The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves the settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.