You and your family members who are class members have several options in connection with the settlement.
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Participate in the settlement. To get money and other benefits from the settlement, send in Claim Form #1, or notify the Court in writing that you want to participate in the settlement (deadline to be determined).
If the Judge approves the settlement, and you choose this option, then you and your children who are class members will receive Base Payments (without having to pay attorneys’ fees).
If you believe that you or your children suffered serious illness, injuries, or property damage caused by living at BRANFORD MANOR during the time period from November 23, 2019 to November 22, 2022, you may also make a claim as part of the settlement for Enhanced Payments for this kind of injury by sending in Claim Form #2 for each injured family member. (You will not have to pay attorneys’ fees, but you may have to pay government liens for public benefits or incarceration costs out of Enhanced Payments you receive.)
If you choose this option to participate in the settlement, then you will not be able to be part of any other lawsuit against the Defendants.
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Object to the settlement.
If you feel the proposed settlement is unfair, inadequate, or unreasonable, you may write to the court explaining why you object to the settlement.
Instead of or in addition to sending in a written statement, you may also ask to be heard by the judge at a hearing that will be held on JULY 2, 2024. You may hire a lawyer at your own expense to do this, or you can represent yourself. The date of this hearing may change. If you want to go the hearing, confirm the hearing date by calling the Settlement Administrator or checking the “Scheduled Court Dates” for this case on the web at https://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/CaseDetail/PublicCaseDetail.aspx?DocketNo=UWYCV226068623S.
To be valid, a written objection must:
● Be in writing;
● Be signed by you or your lawyer (if you hire one – but you aren’t required to hire a lawyer to object);
● Include your name, address, and telephone number;
● Identify this case by Docket No. and case caption;
● Say the reason for your objection;
● Say whether it applies only to you, or to a particular group of class members, or to all class members;
● Say whether you plan on personally appearing at the Final Approval Hearing;
● State the name of any and all lawyers representing, advising, or assisting you and whether the lawyer will appear on your behalf at the Final Approval Hearing;
● Mail your objection to the following address: Jonathan Stuckal, Esq.Court Officer X10, Complex Litigation Docket 400 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702.
The Court must receive your objection before JUNE 10, 2024. You can object to the settlement even if you decide to participate in the settlement.
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Exclude yourself, your minor children, and/or your award from the settlement.
You may choose not to participate in the settlement. To do that—to “Opt-Out”—you must notify the Settlement Administrator in writing by a letter or message postmarked, or received via email, no later than JUNE 10, 2024.
To be valid, your written Opt-Out Request must:
● Include your full name, address, telephone number;
● You must sign the notice;
● The notice must state the following: “I want to be excluded from the Settlement and understand that by excluding myself, I will not be able to get any money or other benefits from the settlement.”
● Your Opt-Out Request must be mailed or emailed to the Settlement Administrator at the following address:
Branford Manor Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91429
Seattle, WA 98111
info@branfordmanorsettlement.com
IMPORTANT: If you Opt-Out, you will not get any payment or other benefit from the settlement.
This is the only option that allows you to bring a separate lawsuit against the Defendants, at your own expense. If you choose to Opt-Out, you may not object to the settlement.
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Do nothing. If you do not send in Claim Form #1 (the Base Payment form) or the Opt-Out Request:
Doing nothing is different from opting out, because if you Opt-Out you may still hire a lawyer at your own expense to bring a separate lawsuit against BRANFORD MANOR. If you do nothing, you will give up all legal claims against BRANFORD MANOR for illness, injuries or property damage sustained during the Class Period and you will receive nothing from the settlement.