Structure of the Settlement
Class members are expected to recover the full amount of any improperly denied refund or retroactive charge, plus interest, plaintiffs told the court. Attorneys representing the class said they plan to request up to $100 million in legal fees as part of the agreement.
The settlement is structured as a non-reversionary fund. That means none of the $309.5 million will revert to Amazon, regardless of how many claims are filed. Under such arrangements, all awarded funds are distributed to eligible class members, rather than allowing unclaimed amounts to return to the defendant.
While the total number of anticipated claims has not been disclosed, Zigler Law Group said it interviewed 71 individuals during its initial investigation into Amazon’s return practices. Since the litigation began, interim class counsel has reported receiving regular inquiries from hundreds of additional customers who say they were affected.
“The evidence obtained by Interim Class Counsel was instrumental to the successful outcome of the litigation,” attorneys Andrew H. Schapiro and Aaron Zigler said in a declaration supporting the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval. “Amazon has committed to changing the practices challenged in the Complaint.”
