Class Action Deadlines, Explained

Claim deadlines, opt-out deadlines, and objection deadlines — what each one means, what happens if you miss it, and how to track them all in one place.

Three deadlines, three different consequences

Every class action settlement notice contains three deadlines. They sound similar, but they have very different legal consequences if you miss them.

1. The claim deadline

The most important date for most readers. If you want any money out of the settlement, you must submit your claim form before this date. Late claims are almost always rejected outright. There is no grace period. ClaimAlert displays the claim deadline at the top of every settlement listing.

2. The opt-out (exclusion) deadline

If you want to preserve your right to sue the company yourself — separately, in your own lawsuit — you must file an exclusion request before this date. Opting out means you receive nothing from the settlement, but you keep the right to bring your own case. Most class members never need this option. It exists primarily for people who suffered an unusually large loss.

3. The objection deadline

If you think the settlement terms are unfair (for example, the payouts are too low or the attorney's fees are too high), you can file a written objection with the court. The judge reads objections at the fairness hearing. Filing an objection does not affect your claim — you still get paid like any other class member.

What happens if you miss the claim deadline

You are no longer eligible to receive a payout from this settlement. Your legal rights, however, are still extinguished — by failing to opt out by the exclusion deadline, you released your claims against the defendant. This is the worst-case outcome and the reason ClaimAlert puts the claim deadline at the top of every listing.

What happens if you miss the opt-out deadline

You can still file a claim and receive a payout. You can no longer file your own separate lawsuit against the defendant for the conduct covered by the settlement. For nearly every consumer reading this, that is the right tradeoff.

How to track every deadline at once

Settlement administrators rarely send reminder emails. ClaimAlert's deadline tracker emails you seven days before any open settlement claim window closes. Sign up using the form on this page.

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