How settlement payouts are actually calculated

When you see a settlement described as '$725 million', that's the total fund — not what any one person receives. Your individual payout depends on several factors.

First is the claim pool. The fund is typically divided among everyone who files a valid claim, so the more claimants, the smaller each share (all else equal). Filing early doesn't increase your share, but it does make sure you don't miss out.

Second is your documented harm. Many settlements offer tiered payments — a base amount for everyone eligible, and higher amounts for claimants who can document specific losses.

Third is your usage or volume. In business settlements, payouts often scale with sales volume or ad spend during the class period. That's why accurate documentation matters so much.