
In fact, at $1.3 billion in 2014, ERISA class-action settlements were approximately 10 times greater than in 2013, which saw $155.6 million in settlements. Furthermore, the top 10 settlements in wage & hour class actions for 2014 was $215.3 million, well below the ERISA settlement amount.
Among the top settlements in private plaintiff ERISA class-action lawsuits were $480 million against Daimler Trucks North America, LLC; $415 million against ING Life Insurance & Annuity Co; and $140 million against Nationwide Life Insurance Co. Allegations in ERISA lawsuits that received the highest settlements included “breach of fiduciary duty, use of revenue sharing agreements, reduction of retiree benefits [illegally cutting benefits], and/or investing pension or 401(k) assets into company stock.”
The report forecasts that more ERISA “stock drop” class actions are likely to be filed following a ruling in one lawsuit (Fifth Third Bancorp v. Dudenhoeffer), while a ruling in Tibble v. Edison determine vital questions concerning the statute of limitations and investments in ERISA plan lawsuits.
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ERISA is designed to protect employee benefits plans, including pension, stock and health plans, offered by private businesses. Under ERISA laws, the people responsible for running the health plans are bound by fiduciary duties. Failure to uphold those duties can result in a lawsuit being filed against the people or organizations responsible for overseeing the benefits plans.