Here is a list of recent Class Action Lawsuit Settlements

Google Settles AdWords Class Action for $20 Million

Two small business advertisers have won their class action against Google. The suit, filed in 2005, alleged that Google had overcharged them for Google AdWords on certain days.

The suit, brought by Minnesota-based printing company CLRB Hanson Industries and N.J.-based Howard Stern (not the radio personality) has been settled now, with a potential price tag for Google of $20 million. Each of the 2 plaintiffs will reportedly receive $20,000, and their lawyers will receive $5 million. Other members of the class action will receive AdWords credits.

APRIL-01-2009: Google Agrees to Pay $20 Million Over AdWords Class Action[WASHINGTON POST: GOOGLE SETTLES ADWORDS LAWSUIT FOR $20 MILLION ]

Philip Morris Loses Appeal, Will Pay Millions in Settlement

The Supreme Court has denied Philip Morris' last chance to overturn a $79.5 million punitive damages award, resulting from a lawsuit brought in a smoker's death.

Mayola Williams, who brought the suit on behalf of her late husband Jesse Williams, was awarded nearly $80 million dollars by the jury nearly 2 weeks ago, and following the decision today she is now able to collect her share, which will be between $60 and $65 million. The original judgement against the tobacco giant was issued in 1999 and then went to the Supreme Court in 2003 and 2007. Consequently, the money has been collecting interest and now totals more than $155 million.

Robert Peck, Williams’ lawyer, said in an earlier interview that this decision signals a willingness to allow large awards in certain circumstances. “I think we can take from this long tale that if the behavior is sufficiently reprehensible, then larger awards are merited,” Peck said.

MARCH-31-09: Philip Morris loses 10-year fight to block payout [MSNBC:PHILIP MORRIS LOSES 10-YEAR FIGHT]

Lufthansa Agrees Settlement over Cargo Price-fixing

Canadian courts have approved a C$6.7 million class action settlement from Germany’s Lufthansa. The settlement is part of a larger cargo price-fixing class-action lawsuit in the United States, and will serve as a benchmark payment for other carriers.

Lufthansa also has agreed to pay US$85 million in an American claim and to help prosecutors build their case against dozens of other international airlines that have chosen not to settle.

The class-action was filed in 2006 for Canadians who bought air cargo shipping services between 2000 and 2006.

MARCH-31-09: Lufthansa agrees cartel fine [AIRCARGO ASIA PACIFIC: LUFTHANSA AGREES CARTEL FINE]

more settlements