If you remain in the class, you can tell the Court you do not agree with the settlement or some part of it.
You can ask the Court to deny approval by filing an objection. You cannot ask the Court to order a different settlement; the Court can only approve or reject the settlement. If the Court denies approval, no settlement benefits will be conferred and the lawsuit will continue. If that is what you want to happen, you must object.
Any objection to the proposed settlement must be in writing. If you file a timely written objection, you may, but are not required to, appear at the Final Approval Hearing, either in person or through your own attorney. If you appear through your own attorney, you are responsible for hiring and paying that attorney.
All written objections shall be filed with the Clerk of Court either by mailing them to the Office of the Clerk, Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Room 121, 85 Marconi Boulevard, Columbus Ohio 43215, or by filing them in person at any location of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and must be filed or postmarked on or before March 4, 2021.
All written objections must include:
- the case name and number;
- the name, address, telephone number of the Settlement Class Member objecting and, if represented by counsel, of his/her counsel;
- the basis for objection; and
- a statement of whether he/she intends to appear at the Final Approval Hearing, either with or without counsel.