Mass settlement claims provide businesses with an opportunity to recover funds from class actions, antitrust lawsuits, and multidistrict litigation (MDL) settlements. These cases—often involving billions in potential compensation—help businesses recoup losses from overcharges, unfair fees, or other unlawful practices. However, filing a claim isn’t automatic, and understanding the process is key to ensuring your business receives its fair share.

This guide explains how mass settlements work, outlines the steps for filing a claim and provides insights into recent large-scale business settlements. Whether your business has received a settlement notice or is exploring potential eligibility, this resource will help you navigate the process with confidence. We also take a closer look at the Discover Card Settlement, a $1.09 billion fund for businesses that accepted Discover credit card transactions between 2007 and 2023, detailing eligibility criteria, key filing steps, and how to ensure your claim is maximized.

Understanding Mass Settlement Claims for Businesses

Mass settlement claims occur when a large group of businesses, affected by similar wrongful conduct, such as inflated fees, price-fixing, or deceptive marketing, consolidate their legal claims into a single proceeding. Instead of each company pursuing individual litigation, eligible businesses join together to secure a share of a centrally administered settlement fund. The objective is to simplify the legal process, reduce litigation costs, and ensure that businesses receive fair compensation for losses incurred. However, successful recovery depends on meeting precise eligibility criteria and often providing comprehensive financial documentation.

Key Stages:

Spotlight: The Discover Card Settlement

One of the most significant mass settlement claims in recent years is the Discover Card Settlement, valued at up to $1.09 billion. This settlement resolves allegations that Discover charged merchants excessive interchange fees when processing credit card transactions, impacting businesses across various industries. The lawsuit claimed that merchants paid higher fees than they should have due to Discover’s pricing practices, and the settlement fund is designed to compensate those affected.

Who can file a claim?

Businesses that accepted Discover credit card transactions between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2023, may be eligible for compensation. The claimant categories include:

• Retailers, restaurants, and service providers that accepted Discover cards.
• E-commerce merchants and online businesses processing Discover payments.
• Small businesses and large corporations that incurred interchange fees.
• Franchises, hospitality businesses, and professional service providers that regularly accepted Discover.

Claim Verification & Documentation

The settlement administrator will use transaction data to validate claims, but businesses should still review their eligibility and verify their records to ensure they receive the correct payout. While most claimants will not need to submit additional documentation, businesses should be prepared to provide supporting records if required, such as:

• Business details: Gathering transaction histories or financial statements across multiple years can be labor-intensive, especially if they’re spread across different platforms or bank accounts.
• Transaction records: Statements from banks, credit card processors, or financial statements to verify Discover credit card payments.

Filing Deadline

Late submissions are typically not accepted. Businesses should file as early as possible to allow time for verification and avoid potential delays if additional documentation is requested.

Filing a claim may seem straightforward, but ensuring accuracy, understanding payout calculations, and meeting documentation requirements can be complex. ClaimForge helps businesses navigate the process, ensuring their claims are properly filed and maximizing their potential recovery.

Real-World Settlements Beyond Discover

Here are some other recent examples of large settlements:

Visa/Mastercard Interchange Fee Settlement – $5.54 Billion

In December 2023, a $5.54 billion settlement was reached in the Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, addressing allegations that Visa and Mastercard engaged in anti-competitive practices by fixing interchange fees charged to merchants. This settlement is considered the largest consumer antitrust class action settlement in U.S. history.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Settlement – $2.8 Billion

In October 2024, Blue Cross Blue Shield agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims from hospital systems, physicians, and other healthcare providers who alleged they were under-compensated. This settlement, the largest in healthcare antitrust history, addressed accusations that Blue Cross affiliates divided the country into exclusive zones to avoid competition, which inflated insurance costs and reduced reimbursements.

Common Challenges in Filing Claims

Filing a mass settlement claim may seem straightforward, but businesses often encounter hurdles that can delay or reduce payouts. Understanding these challenges in advance can help ensure a smoother process and maximize recovery.

• Document Complexity: Gathering the necessary financial records—such as historical transaction data, sales records, or fee statements—can be time-consuming, especially if records span multiple years and sources. Businesses may need to compile data from banks, credit card processors, and internal accounting systems to verify their claims. An experienced advisor can help focus the research, identifying exactly which records are needed, saving time, and ensuring compliance with settlement requirements.
• Eligibility Confusion: Each settlement has specific qualification criteria, which can vary based on the type of business, transaction volume, and timeframe of the settlement. Some businesses may assume they qualify but later find out they missed key requirements—leading to claim denials or lower payouts. Carefully reviewing eligibility guidelines before filing is crucial to avoiding wasted effort or missing out on compensation.
• Deadline Sensitivity: Most settlements have strict filing deadlines, and missing the deadline can result in total forfeiture of compensation. Some settlements also have multi-stage deadlines, requiring businesses to submit additional verification documents after initial filing. It’s critical to submit claims well in advance of deadlines to allow time for review, corrections, or additional requests from the administrator.
• Data Discrepancies: Settlement administrators rely on pre-existing transaction records to validate claims, but discrepancies between their records and a business’s submitted documentation can cause delays or reductions in payouts. If the administrator’s data is incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate, claimants may need to provide additional records to reconcile differences. Working with an experienced claims service can help businesses proactively identify potential discrepancies and ensure all necessary supporting documentation is included.

By understanding these common challenges and taking proactive steps to address them, businesses can avoid unnecessary delays and ensure they receive the full compensation they are entitled to.

How ClaimForge Simplifies Business Compensation Claims

ClaimForge streamlines the entire process of filing business settlement claims, leveraging human expertise and AI-driven automation.

• Comprehensive Claim Identification: We monitor a wide range of class actions, MDLs, and antitrust lawsuits, ensuring you don’t miss valuable opportunities.
• Data Collection & Eligibility Verification: Our platform seamlessly gathers information about your business to validate your claim eligibility.
• Automated Filing & Deadline Management: We handle all the details of the claims process, from the initial filing to meeting document deadlines, allowing you to stay focused on your core business.
• Claims Support: Behind our tech is a team of technologists and legal industry veterans ready to help if a claim is challenged or if additional evidence is required.
• Maximized Recovery: Our comprehensive approach aims to secure every dollar you’re entitled to, avoiding common pitfalls that lead to underpayment or denial.
• Success-Based Payment Model: Our success-based payment model means we only get paid when you do. Our fees are based upon your recovery, so you can pursue your claim with confidence and without upfront costs.

Ready to explore your potential claim? Chat with David now to find out if you are eligible for the Discover Card Settlement and file your claim.