Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not decided whether the Plaintiff or the Defendant should win this case. Instead, both sides agreed to a Settlement. That way, they avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation, and Class Members will get compensation sooner rather than, if at all, after the completion of a trial. WHO’S INCLUDED IN THE SETTLEMENT?
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not reached a final decision as to the Class Representatives’ claims. Instead, the Class Representatives and Defendant have agreed to the Settlement. The Settlement is the product of extensive negotiations between Class Counsel and Defendant’s counsel, an all-day session with a private mediator and six months of additional arm’s length negotiations. The parties to the Settlement have taken into account the uncertainty and risks of litigation and have concluded that it is desirable to settle on the terms and conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement. The Class Representatives and Class Counsel, who are highly experienced in this kind of matter, believe that the Settlement is best for all Class Members.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not found in favor of either Plaintiff or Defendant. Instead, both sides have agreed to a Settlement. By agreeing to the Settlement, the parties avoid the costs and uncertainty of a trial, and if the Settlement is approved by the Court, Settlement Class Members will receive the benefits described in this Notice. Hot Topic denies all legal claims in this case. Plaintiff and her lawyers think the proposed Settlement is best for everyone who is affected.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiff or the Defendants. Instead, the Plaintiff and the Defendants negotiated a Settlement that allows them to avoid the risks and cost of lengthy and uncertain litigation and the uncertainty of a trial and appeals. It also allows Settlement Class Members to be compensated without further delay. The Class Representative and her attorney think the Settlement is best for all Settlement Class Members.
Why is there a Settlement. Plaintiffs and Settlement Class Counsel believe that the members of the Settlement Class have been damaged by Defendants’ conduct, as described in the Action (including the Complaint and any amendments). Defendants believe that Plaintiffs’ claims lack merit and would have been rejected prior to trial, at trial, or on appeal. The Court has not decided which side was right or wrong or if any laws were violated. Instead, Plaintiffs and Brown University, the University of Chicago, the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Duke University, Emory University, and Yale University agreed to settle the case and avoid the delays, costs, and the risk of trial, and the appeals that would follow a trial. These Settlements are the product of extensive arm’s length negotiations, between experienced counsel. Settling this case allows members of the Settlement Class to receive cash payments (see Question 6 below). In addition, under the Settlements, Brown University, the University of Chicago, the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Duke University, Emory University, and Yale University have agreed to complete certain discovery as detailed in the Settlement Agreements. Plaintiffs, Brown University, the University of Chicago, the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Duke University, Emory University, and Yale University have agreed to settle this case after two years of extensive litigation and discovery. As part of discovery, Plaintiffs have reviewed and analyzed tens of thousands of pages of documents turned over by the Defendants in the litigation. The Settlements allow members of the Settlement Class who submit valid and timely claims to receive some compensation, rather than risk ultimately receiving nothing. Plaintiffs and Settlement Class Counsel believe the Settlements are in the best interests of all members of the Settlement Class. If the Settlements are approved, Plaintiffs and the Settlement Class will dismiss and release their claims against Brown University, the University of Chicago, the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Duke University, Emory University, and Yale University.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not reached a final decision as to the Class Representatives’ claims. Instead, the Class Representatives and Defendant have agreed to the Settlement. The Settlement is the product of extensive negotiations between Class Counsel and Defendant’s counsel over seven months, including use of a court- appointed mediator, an all-day session with a private national mediator, and additional arm’s length negotiations. The parties to the Settlement have taken into account the uncertainty and risks of litigation and have concluded that it is desirable to settle on the terms and conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement. The Class Representatives and Class Counsel, who are highly experienced in this kind of matter, believe that the Settlement is best for all Class Members.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not reached a final decision as to the Class Representative’s claims. Instead, the Class Representative and Defendants have agreed to the Settlement. The Settlement is the product of extensive negotiations between the Class Representative, Defendants, and their counsel, who were assisted in their negotiations by a neutral private mediator. The parties to the Settlement have taken into account the uncertainty and risks of litigation and have concluded that it is desirable to settle on the terms and conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement. The Class Representative and Class Counsel believe that the Settlement is best for all Class Members. Nothing in the Settlement Agreement is an admission or concession on Defendants’ part of any fault or liability whatsoever. The Settlement has been entered into to avoid the uncertainty, expense, and burden of additional litigation.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not reached a final decision as to the Class Representatives’ claims. Instead, the Class Representatives and Defendant have agreed to the Settlement. The Settlement is the product of extensive negotiations between Class Counsel and Defendant’s counsel over four months, and additional arm’s length negotiations. The parties to the Settlement have taken into account the uncertainty and risks of litigation and have concluded that it is desirable to settle on the terms and conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement. Class Counsel, who are highly experienced in this kind of matter, and the Class Representatives believe that the Settlement is best for all Class Members.
Why is there a Settlement. The Court has not decided whether the Plaintiff or Waste Management should win this case. Instead, both sides agreed to a Settlement. That way, they avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation, and Class Members will get compensation sooner rather than, if at all, after the completion of a trial. The issuance of this Notice is not an expression of the Court’s opinion on the merit or the lack of merit of the Representative Plaintiff’s claims or the defenses in the lawsuit. Both parties recognize that to resolve the issues raised in the lawsuit would be time-consuming, uncertain, and expensive. Who’s Included in the Settlement?
Why is there a Settlement. Plaintiffs believe that their case is meritorious, yet they have agreed to this Settlement because, if it is approved, it provides benefits to the Class, while avoiding risks associated with further litigation and trial. Nissan believes the lawsuit has no merit, but nevertheless is willing to enter into this Settlement as a further commitment to its customers, to provide extra peace of mind to its customers, and to end further litigation, which could be protracted, burdensome and expensive. The Court has not decided who is right or wrong in this lawsuit. This proposed Settlement is not, and should not be considered as, evidence of Nissan’s admission or concession of any fault, wrongdoing or liability whatsoever, nor a concession by Plaintiffs that their suit was meritless.
