Administration Services
Below is a brief description of DM&A’s primary class action administration services including:
- Pre-Certification and Pre-Settlement Services
- Class Notice
- Claims Processing
- Settlement Distribution
Pre-Certification and Pre-Settlement Services
The pre-certification and pre-settlement services we offer help lay the foundation for seamless post-settlement procedures. Well before a case is certified or a settlement is reached, DM&A works closely with counsel and other parties involved to determine how to best communicate with the putative class, and how to best structure a potential settlement from a claims administration perspective. Based on our years of experience, we are able to provide input on the most efficient and effective means of notifying potential class members, processing claims, and distributing settlement proceeds.
Our Pre-Certification and Pre-Settlement services include:
- Consulting with counsel on settlement terms and claims procedures.
- Developing methodologies for allocating the settlement fund to approved claimants.
- Determining timeline needed to effectively administer settlement.
- Working with counsel to develop most effective and efficient means of administering settlement.
- Conducting “Belaire-West” style privacy notice mailings to putative class members.
Class Notice
DM&A takes pride in its ability to design customized and accurate claims administration procedures and provides services beyond those offered by traditional claims administrators. We have reviewed documents archived for over 50 years to identify potential class members, uncovered fraudulent class members, assisted classes of elderly claimants, and audited claims procedures managed directly by defendants. We oversee distribution to ensure that all tax and other legal forms are prepared and filed as necessary. Throughout the process, we provide reports on the project status to the court and other interested parties as required.
Our Class Notice services include:
- Assisting with design of class notice.
- Providing translation services in connection with multi-lingual notice programs.
- Facilitating NCOA “scrub” of class member address data for accuracy.
- Managing printing and mass mailing of class notice.
- Managing online and hard copy publication of class notice.
- Facilitating media coverage of settlement.
- “Skip tracing” incorrect class member addresses.
- Creating and maintain accurate class member database.
Claims Processing
Because of their complexity, the administration of class actions involves managing extensive amounts of data and scrupulous attention to detail. Our managers are experts in database administration and use both “off-the-shelf” and proprietary software to ensure the integrity of all claims data. We can accelerate the notification and collection process by using cost effective, custom-designed programs and forms that streamline the claims process. We interact with claimants by answering their inquiries and assisting them in resolving incomplete or rejected claim applications.
Our Claims Processing services include:
- Assisting with design of claim form.
- Managing printing, mass mailing, and publication of claim form.
- Facilitating email distribution of claim form.
- Designing project-specific claims processing software.
- Implementing online claim submission protocols.
- Employing optical character recognition (OCR) software and barcode technology to enhance claims processing efficiency and accuracy.
- Monitoring and reporting on requests for exclusion.
- Monitoring, logging and proofing completed claim forms.
- Reviewing supporting documentation submitted with claim forms.
- Researching and resolving defective and disputed claims.
- Processing and distributing approval and rejection notices.
Settlement Distribution
A critical phase in claims administration is distributing the settlement. DM&A strives to accurately compute the appropriate settlement amount for each class member based upon the criteria established for that particular case. We carefully distribute settlement proceeds as well as manage necessary reporting related to distribution amounts. This includes withholding federal and state income taxes, payroll taxes, distribution of W-2 and 1099 forms, and filing tax returns.
Our Settlement Distribution services include:
- Assisting with design of distribution plan.
- Computing distribution amounts in accordance with plan.
- Processing and distributing settlement checks to approved claimants.
- Withholding, depositing and reporting on taxes related to distribution amounts.
- Processing and distributing required tax forms to claimants receiving distributions.
- Allocating and distributing fund residual to selected charities.
- Escheating unclaimed distribution amounts to governmental authorities for the benefit of specified class members.
Additional Services
DM&A has a breadth of experience in other areas of claims administration. Below is a partial list of other services offered.
Our additional services include:
- Creating and managing case-specific websites.
- Setting up and managing case-specific call centers.
- Responding to inquiries from class members.
- Managing settlement fund bank accounts.
- Preparing settlement fund income tax returns.
- Preparing status reports and attending status hearings.