The Marsh & McLennan companies have reached a settlement agreement in a class action relating to allegations of improper “contingent commissions.” The proposed settlement is described in a Memorandum of Law in support of the preliminary approval of the proposed settlement. The court has entered an Order of preliminary approval, setting a a hearing on the final approval of the proposed settlement on December 15, 2008. The proposed settlement provides for a fund in the amount of $69 million, which will be distributed to class members. Marsh may use up to $5 million of the fund to resolve and settle claims of state officials representing policyholders who are potential members of the settlement class. In addition, Marsh may use up to $7 million of the fund to resolve and settle claims of individual plaintiffs in pending actions relating to the same matters that are at issue in the class action. Class counsel will apply to the court for fees and expenses of $14.5 million. In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, Case No. MDL 1663 (USDC D.N.J. Aug. 21, 2008).
This post written by Rollie Goss.