Who is included in this settlement?
- The class covers people whose information was affected by the February 2024 cybersecurity incident.
- It does not include the defendants and their officers, directors, or related companies; people who validly opt out; the judge and the judge’s family and staff; or anyone who carried out the incident.
- The notice says that people who received a postcard are listed in the company’s records as class members. It also identifies certain third-party trucking or delivery workers as possible class members even if they did not receive a postcard.
How does the cash payment work for class members who are not Non-Employees?
- Most class members do not need to submit a claim form to receive cash compensation.
- If you were a California resident in February 2024, the starting cash amount is estimated at $45. Class members from other states have a starting amount of $15.
- If the mailing address on the class list is outside California but you lived in California when the incident occurred, submit a claim form with your California address at that time and attest that you were a California resident to seek the California-level payment.
- These are estimates, not guaranteed final amounts.
What must a Non-Employee do to receive benefits?
- A Non-Employee is someone employed by a third party who provided trucking or delivery services for The Merchant of Tennis at or before the incident.
- Non-Employees must submit a timely claim form to receive any settlement benefit or payment.
- The starting cash amount is $45 for a Non-Employee who was a California resident when the incident occurred, and $15 for other Non-Employees. A person seeking the California amount must provide their California address from that time and attest to California residency on the claim form.
Why could the final cash payment be different from $45 or $15?
- The final cash amounts depend on the money left in the settlement fund after approved loss claims, credit-monitoring services, court-approved fees and costs, the service award, and notice and administration expenses are paid.
- The $45 group will receive three times the amount paid to the $15 group.
- The calculation is to be made after final approval and before payments are issued.
What credit-monitoring service is available?
- All class members may enroll in two years of CyEx Identity Defense.
- The service includes $1 million in financial fraud insurance, monitoring for listed identity-theft and financial-transaction concerns, and access to a fraud-resolution agent if suspicious activity occurs.
- A claim form is required if you want credit monitoring.
What losses can be reimbursed, and what proof is needed?
- You may seek up to $2,000 for actual, documented out-of-pocket losses caused by the cybersecurity incident that occurred from February 1, 2024 through January 27, 2027.
- Examples include identity-theft or fraud losses, certain credit-reporting or credit-freeze fees, ID-replacement costs, and postage used to contact banks.
- Send records such as bank statements or receipts showing the amount and connection to the incident. Personal notes may support other evidence but cannot establish a valid claim by themselves.
- Do not include expenses already reimbursed by another party.
How and when do I submit a claim form?
- Submit the form online by January 27, 2027, or mail a completed and signed form, including supporting documents, postmarked by that date.
- You can submit online, download a form to mail, or request a paper form by phone, email, or mail.
What happens if I do nothing?
- If you are not a Non-Employee, doing nothing means you will automatically receive cash compensation if you remain in the class.
- If you are a Non-Employee, doing nothing means you will not receive a settlement benefit.
- In either case, if you do not opt out, you give up the rights covered by the settlement’s release, including the ability to bring or continue another lawsuit against the defendants about the incident.
How do I opt out of the settlement?
- Opting out means leaving the settlement. You will not receive settlement benefits or payment, but you keep any rights you may have to sue The Merchant of Tennis on your own about the legal issues in this case.
- Mail a signed exclusion request with the case name and number, your full name and mailing address, and either the words “Request for Exclusion” or a clear statement that you do not want to participate.
- The request must be postmarked by December 28, 2026. You may opt out only for yourself.
Can I object to the settlement?
- You may object if you stay in the settlement; you cannot object if you opt out.
- To have a written objection considered by the court, submit it to the Settlement Administrator by December 28, 2026.
- The notice also says you may appear at the hearing to object even without submitting a written objection.
When will the court decide, and when could benefits be issued?
- The final approval hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2027, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time in Department 12 of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012.
- The court will decide whether to approve the settlement and will consider objections. You do not have to attend.
- Payments will be distributed only if the court grants final approval and after any appeals are resolved. The notice does not give a specific payment date.
Other Important Dates
- Exclusion deadline: 2026-12-28
- Objection deadline: 2026-12-28
- Final approval hearing: March 30, 2027, at 10:30am Pacific Time
- Hearing location: Department 12, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Case Details
- Total settlement fund: $685,000.00
- Case name: Victor Estrada v. The Merchant of Tennis, Inc. et al.
- Case number: 24STCV09656
- Court: Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California
- Official Settlement Website: https://www.USMsettlement.com
Sources
Official Settlement Website
Claim form, FAQ, deadlines, administrator information
Visit Site →Claim form, FAQ, deadlines, administrator information
Official Settlement Notice (PDF)
Court-approved notice describing eligibility and benefits
Open PDF →Court-approved notice describing eligibility and benefits