Mussmann Qualified Settlement Fund Claimants

by John Darer® CLU ChFC MSSC RSP CLTC

Towards the end of January 2011, Mussmann Qualified Settlement Fund Claimants have received checks for the class action settlement that was paid into a qualified settlement fund. Although our firm was not involved in the creation of the Mussmann Qualified Settlement Fund, a number of Mussmann claimants (27 on January 31 alone!) have contacted us confused over checks "out of nowhere" in amounts mostly less than $75.

"Mussmann" was a class-action lawsuit filed in June 2001 in Clinton County, Iowa,  accusing Wal-Mart of intimidating employees into working overtime without pay. The lead plaintiffs were Sally Mussmann and Taylor Vogue, two former employees of the Wal-Mart store in Clinton.

Despite the fact that the contact information for the administrator was printed right on the benefits material that accompanied the check apparently it was insufficient for more than just a handful of claimants. While I am happy to help people get to the correct information in the shortest period of time, fund administrators must do a better job of considering the sophistication level of claimants when designing their claimant notice and other communications.

Claimants reading this may want to contact class counsel

 

 

Comments

[Mari Hickey]

I too received a w-2 form from your company for the amount of 15.77. Nor do I remember receiving a check for 15.77.
Could someone please send correspondence to the address below?. Thank you - Mari

[John Darer]

Now I know what they mean when they say no good deed goes unpunished! We have received over five hundred hits on this post and the one we posted last year to try and stave off phone calls from people who called us simply because they read our website which provided general information about qualified settlement funds, NOT about Mussman or Iliadis Qualified Settlement Funds. On January 30, 2011 and January 31, 2012 alone our phone lines were clogged all day!

If you receive a W-2, generally it is because you earned some income, in this case your share of an award for unpaid overtime from a class action suit against Walmart that was commenced in in 2001 and settled in 2011.

Checks were mailed out last year, NOT by us. It's not our gig. Not our party.Not our rodeo. If you inadvertently threw out the check envelope,moved since you, or the person you represented worked at WalMart or whatever, it is a possible explanation for why you did not receive a check.

Take the W-2 to your accountant. If you don't have an accountant and do your own taxes (1040-EZ) then you must declare the income. Most of these checks and W-2s are for amounts from $15 to $75, the taxes on which, if any , will be miniscule.

So stop running around like chickens with your heads cut off. Stop fretting. Stop calling the IRS.

And most of all, with all due respect, STOP CALLING ME about the Mussman Qualified Settlement Fund! We have absolutely nothing to do with it, never did! Read the article and read the website AGAIN!

Have a nice day!

[Sandra nunez]

I recieved a W-2 form from your company for the amount of $15.77. In 2011 I was not living at the address posted. Nor do I remember recieving a check for this amount. Could someone please call me at this number (redacted) Sandra Nunez

[Julie Richards]

I too received a w-2 form from your company for the amount of 15.77 from your company. Nor do I remember receiving a check for 15.77.
Could someone please call me 'Julie Richards' at the phone number provided or send correspondence at the address below?.
Julie Richards
(redacted) email at
(redacted)

[crystal]

I also received a w-2..... I also do not remember getting a check!