A federal judge has preliminarily approved a $3.5 million class action lawsuit settlement affecting class members who did not opt out of an action titled Adderley v. National Football League Players Inc. These class members are eligible to receive up to $1,786 in compensation over allegations the plaintiffs’ counsel committed malpractice in the previous case.
The settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit titled Bernard Parrish, et al. v. Manatt Phelps Phillips, et al. that alleges the law firms Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and McKool Smith, P.C. committed malpractice in their representation of the plaintiffs’ class in the retired football players class action. Plaintiffs are alleging claims for Legal Malpractice and Breach of Fiduciary Duty.
The defendants deny all of the allegations and deny they engaged in any wrongdoing or have any liability whatsoever, but have agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle all claims and resolve the litigation.
Class members of the Parrish retired player class action settlement include all persons who were members of the certified class in the action styled Adderley v. National Football League Players Incorporated, et al., No. C 07-00943 WHA and who did not opt out of that class, including each of the named plaintiffs.
As a class member, you will be entitled to a portion of the $3.5 million class action settlement. The amount of money you will ultimately receive will depend on a number of factors, including which years that you participated in the NFLPA’s GLA program and the amount of attorneys’ fees, expenses, and costs approved by the Court. According to current estimates, however, you could receive as much as $1,786 or a minimum payment of $258.
In exchange for the settlement payment, class members will give up their right to sue the defendants for claims related in any way to the allegations in this case. If you do not want to remain a member of the Class and wish to retain your right to sue the defendants on your own, then you must exclude yourself from the settlement no later than April 15, 2013.
A Final Fairness Hearing is scheduled for May 30, 2013.
