Opinion ID: 804783
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Objections and Final Approval Hearing

Text: Appellant Sandra Pack and ten other claimants filed timely written objections to the proposed class action settlement. At a September 26, 2011 fairness hearing, counsel for Appellant Pack appeared and reiterated her written objections. At the end of the fairness hearing, the district court overruled all of the objections and approved the settlement, as follows: The Court has reviewed the stipulation of settlement, the objections that were filed, the arguments of counsel here this morning. In addition, the Court has considered the six relevant factors set forth in [Bennett v. Behring Corp., 737 F.2d 982, 986 (11th Cir. 1984)]. And the Court finds that the settlement achieved in this multidistrict litigation case is fair, reasonable, and adequate and is not the product of collusion. The Court respectfully overrules each of the objections raised by each of the objectors. There is a strong judicial policy favoring settlement as a 6 Case: 11-15956 Date Filed: 07/20/2012 Page: 7 of 12 realization that compromise is the essence of settlement. Counsel for all parties appear to have performed their duties diligently. The parties’ extensive submissions are highly detailed and demonstrate why the settlement is fair and reasonable.