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Glossary

Settlement Fund

Plain-language definition

A pool of money agreed to by a defendant to resolve claims in a mass tort, typically distributed through a points-based matrix to qualifying plaintiffs.

Legal definition

A settlement fund in a mass tort is a defined amount agreed to be paid by one or more defendants to resolve all or a defined subset of consolidated claims. Funds are typically distributed through a special master or claims administrator under a court-approved settlement agreement that includes a matrix or points schedule allocating per-plaintiff awards based on injury severity, exposure documentation, age, lost income, and other defined factors. Common-benefit assessments and lien resolution are administered through the fund.

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