Brookdale Assisted Living Settlement, Who Qualifies for 26% Community Fee Refunds or $255 (Claim Deadline January 24, 2027)

Former and current residents of Brookdale assisted living and memory care communities in Florida and North Carolina may qualify for cash payments under a federal class action settlement. The lawsuits allege that Brookdale Senior Living Inc. understaffed its communities and did not deliver the care residents were promised. Brookdale denies the allegations, and the court has not ruled on who is right.

Residents who paid a community fee can receive 26% of that fee plus $50 per year of residence (maximum $150 extra). Certain North Carolina residents who paid no community fee can receive a flat $255. A claim form is required. Nothing is paid automatically.

The currently published claim deadline is January 24, 2027. Eligibility is narrower than “lived at Brookdale”: it depends on the state, move-in date, community fee payment, and whether the resident’s admission paperwork meets the settlement’s arbitration conditions.

Official settlement website: BrookdaleBrightClassSettlement.com | File a claim: Submit Claim Online

Brookdale Settlement Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Defendant	Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
Lawsuits	Bright v. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. and Gunza v. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (consolidated)
Case numbers	3:19-cv-00374 and 3:20-cv-00353
Court	U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
States covered	Florida and North Carolina
Payment	26% of community fee + $50 per year of residence (max. $150), or $255 (NC, no community fee)
Claim required?	Yes
Claim deadline	January 24, 2027 (online by 11:59 p.m. ET, or mailed with that postmark)
Opt-out / objection deadline	September 10, 2026 (passed)
Final approval hearing	October 26, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CT
Final approval order	Not confirmed as of November 13, 2026
Payment date	Not announced
Settlement administrator	BrownGreer PLC
Phone	1-888-745-5080
Official website	BrookdaleBrightClassSettlement.com
Claim form	Online claim form

The court granted preliminary approval on May 13, 2026. The settlement was filed on May 6, 2026, after mediation. The final approval hearing was scheduled for October 26, 2026, but a final approval order was not confirmed on the settlement website or in public docket reports we reviewed. Under the settlement agreement, the claim deadline is tied to the date of final approval, so it could change. Check the official website before you file.

Why Was Brookdale Senior Living Sued?

The lawsuit was not mainly about whether Brookdale may charge a community (move-in) fee. Residents alleged that Brookdale promised care based on each resident’s assessed needs while keeping staffing at levels that could not support those promises. They claimed staffing decisions were driven by financial targets rather than resident needs.

The plaintiffs pursued claims under state consumer protection laws and for breach of the residency agreement. The Bright case was filed in 2019 and the Gunza case in 2020. Gunza was brought by a sister acting under power of attorney for a resident of a Winston-Salem, North Carolina community. AARP Foundation Litigation and attorney Christa Collins serve as class counsel.

Brookdale denies wrongdoing, liability, and damages. The settlement is a negotiated compromise, not a finding that Brookdale violated the law.

Who Qualifies for the Brookdale Assisted Living Settlement?

The settlement covers residents of Brookdale-owned, operated, or managed assisted living and memory care communities in Florida and North Carolina who moved in during specific periods.

North Carolina

Community fee status	Qualifying move-in dates
Paid a community fee	April 24, 2016 – May 13, 2026
Did not pay a community fee	September 23, 2014 – May 13, 2026

Florida

Resident category	Qualifying move-in dates
Paid a community fee	November 10, 2019 – May 13, 2026
Earlier-period residents	May 3, 2015 – November 9, 2019, only if they opted out of the earlier Runton v. Brookdale settlement or submitted a claim there that was denied

Florida residents who did not pay a community fee are not included.

Excluded parties include Brookdale officers and directors and their immediate families, class counsel, and the presiding judges and their families.

Meeting the date and fee conditions is only the first test. You must also meet the arbitration condition below.

The Arbitration Requirement: Why Your Admission Agreement Matters

Many assisted living admission agreements require disputes to go to private arbitration instead of court. The settlement is limited to residents whose paperwork shows there is no enforceable arbitration agreement, for one of two reasons:

1. The arbitration provision was crossed out or declined in writing in the resident’s admission agreement.
2. A third party signed the agreement, and the document giving that person authority (such as a power of attorney) expressly excluded authority to agree to arbitration or waive the resident’s right to a jury trial.

For example, an adult daughter who signed her father’s agreement under a limited power of attorney that excluded arbitration may satisfy the second condition. A resident who signed an arbitration clause and never declined it in writing generally does not qualify.

What if you cannot find the contract?

Do not assume you are ineligible. The administrator compares claims with Brookdale’s records. If Brookdale cannot locate the contract documents, the agreement gives the claimant 45 days after notice to submit them. Look for admission packets, scanned agreements, powers of attorney, and emails about arbitration.

How Much Money Can You Receive?

Residents who paid a community fee: 26% of the community fee actually paid (after any rebates or discounts in Brookdale’s records), plus $50 for each year of residence, capped at three years ($150).

Payment = 26% of qualifying community fee + $50 per year of residence (up to $150)

Community fee	Residence	Illustrative payment
$1,500	1 year	$440
$2,500	2 years	$750
$3,000	2 years	$880
$4,000	3 years	$1,190
$5,000	3+ years	$1,450

The $150 cap applies only to the residence add-on, not to the 26% fee refund. The published notice does not clearly explain how partial years are counted, so do not assume every fraction of a year earns $50. Ask the administrator for an individual calculation.

North Carolina residents who paid no community fee: a flat $255, regardless of length of stay. This replaces, and is not added to, the percentage formula.

Is there a limited fund that shrinks payments?

No. There is no fixed pool divided among claimants. Approved claimants are paid by formula, so payments are not reduced pro rata based on how many people file. Brookdale pays administration costs and court-awarded attorneys’ fees separately, and the agreement allows service awards of up to $5,000 for each of the four class representatives, also paid by Brookdale.

How to File a Brookdale Settlement Claim

Claims can be filed online or by mail. Deadline: January 24, 2027.

Online

1. Go to the official settlement website and select Submit a Claim.
2. Choose whether you are filing for yourself or as an authorized representative.
3. Enter the resident’s name, address, and contact details.
4. Provide the community name and approximate move-in date.
5. Answer the community fee question.
6. Identify which arbitration condition applies.
7. Upload authority documents if you are a representative.
8. Sign, submit, and save your confirmation.

Online claims must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 24, 2027.

By mail

Download the claim form from the official website (or use the one with your notice), complete it, and mail it with a postmark on or before January 24, 2027, to:

Brookdale Florida and North Carolina Settlement Program Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 25008 Richmond, VA 23260

Filing is free. You do not need a lawyer or a paid claims service. A notice ID is not required to file under the standard process, but the administrator verifies every claim against Brookdale’s records, and incomplete or ineligible claims are rejected.

Can Family Members File for Elderly or Deceased Residents?

Yes, but only if they are legally authorized. The portal has a separate authorized representative form.

• Living resident: a power of attorney or other operative authorizing document, or a notarized statement of authority.
• Deceased resident: a court order appointing the representative for the estate, or a notarized statement confirming authority.

Being an adult child or paying the bills does not by itself give you authority to file.

What If Your Claim Is Denied or Incomplete?

Brookdale may contest the move-in date, community fee payment, or arbitration condition. If the administrator makes certain preliminary findings against eligibility, you generally get 30 days to submit documents challenging them. An incomplete claim can also trigger a 30-day correction window, and a missing-contract situation can trigger the 45-day document period described above.

Useful evidence includes signed residency and arbitration agreements, powers of attorney or guardianship papers, admission letters, move-in records, receipts or statements showing the community fee, and prior correspondence. Never ignore a deficiency notice. Missing the response period can mean denial.

The Earlier Runton v. Brookdale Settlement

Florida has a special rule because Brookdale previously settled a similar staffing case, Runton v. Brookdale Senior Living Inc., No. 17-cv-60664 (S.D. Fla.). Florida residents who moved in between May 3, 2015 and November 9, 2019 are generally excluded from this settlement unless they opted out of Runton or submitted a Runton claim that was denied. If you already received money from Runton, do not assume you qualify again.

Laws Behind the Brookdale Lawsuits

The case involves consumer protection, contract, arbitration, assisted living regulation, and class action law.

Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (Fla. Stat. § 501.204)

Declares unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce unlawful. Florida plaintiffs alleged that Brookdale’s statements about staffing and care were deceptive. Related remedies appear in Fla. Stat. §§ 501.211 and 501.2105 (damages and attorneys’ fees).

North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1)

Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce. Remedies are in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-16 (treble damages when violations are proven) and § 75-16.1 (attorneys’ fees in certain cases). Claims generally carry a four-year limitations period under § 75-16.2.

Florida Assisted Living Facility Law (Fla. Stat. Chapter 429)

Section 429.28 sets out the Resident Bill of Rights, including dignity, safe living conditions, and freedom from abuse and neglect. Section 429.24 addresses contracts, including required disclosures about services and refund policies. Section 429.41 authorizes minimum standards for care, services, and staffing, implemented through Florida’s assisted living administrative rules (Fla. Admin. Code Chapter 59A-36), which include staffing standards. These laws are separate from the settlement formula.

North Carolina Adult Care Home Laws (N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 131D)

Section 131D-21 is the Declaration of Residents’ Rights, covering appropriate care, written information on services and charges, and freedom from abuse and neglect. Staffing and licensing rules appear in Chapter 131D and the North Carolina Administrative Code (10A NCAC 13F). These provisions operate independently of the class settlement.

Florida and North Carolina Arbitration Law

The Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 2) makes written arbitration agreements generally enforceable, subject to ordinary contract defenses. Florida’s Revised Florida Arbitration Code (Fla. Stat. Chapter 682) and North Carolina’s Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-569.1 et seq.) also apply. Whether a family member had authority to sign an arbitration clause turns on contract and agency law and on the wording of the power of attorney, which is why the settlement focuses on that paperwork.

Federal Class Action Rules

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 governs class certification, notice, and court approval of settlements. Rule 23(e) requires the court to find a settlement fair, reasonable, and adequate, and Rule 23(h) governs attorneys’ fee awards. The Class Action Fairness Act (28 U.S.C. § 1715) requires notice of proposed class settlements to state and federal officials. The court conditionally certified the settlement classes in May 2026. That is not a finding that the plaintiffs proved their allegations.

Does the Settlement Stop Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

No. The settlement expressly excludes personal injury and wrongful death claims from its release.

If you believe understaffing caused a fall, medication error, injury, or death, those claims are not released. That does not mean every such family has a winning case. A claim would still need medical evidence, proof of causation, and compliance with deadlines and arbitration rules.

Time limits can be short. In both states, wrongful death and many injury or negligence claims often carry a limitations period of about two years, with exceptions. Florida wrongful death claims are governed by Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16–768.26, and North Carolina’s by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2. A licensed attorney in the relevant state can tell you which deadline applies to your situation.

If you suspect abuse or neglect in an assisted living community, you can report it to the state licensing agency or adult protective services in the state where the community is located.

What Happens If You Do Not File a Claim?

An eligible class member who does not submit a timely, valid claim receives no payment. If the settlement becomes final, class members who did not opt out generally remain bound by the release of the covered claims, even if they never asked for money. The September 10, 2026 opt-out and objection deadlines have passed.

Related Articles on AllAboutLawyer.com

• My Parent Was Hurt in a Nursing Home: How Do I Know If It’s Abuse, and Can I Sue?
• South Carolina Appeals Court Cuts $29.5 Million Nursing Home Judgment in Mildred Watkins Elder-Neglect Case
• St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors Data Breach Settlement

When Will Brookdale Settlement Payments Be Sent?

No distribution date has been announced. Payments can begin only after the court enters a final approval order, the settlement becomes effective, and any appeals end. The court must also rule on the attorneys’ fee request. No one can honestly promise a payment month in 2027. Approved payments are issued by check.

Important Brookdale Settlement Dates

Event	Date
Bright lawsuit filed	May 3, 2019
Gunza lawsuit filed	April 24, 2020
Settlement filed	May 6, 2026
Preliminary approval granted	May 13, 2026
Opt-out and objection deadline	September 10, 2026
Final approval hearing	October 26, 2026
Final approval order	Not confirmed as of November 13, 2026
Claim deadline (as published)	January 24, 2027
Payment distribution	Not announced

Brookdale Settlement Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Brookdale assisted living settlement legitimate?

Yes. It is a federal court-supervised class action settlement, and claims are handled by the independent administrator BrownGreer PLC. Use only the official website and phone number listed in this article.

Is Brookdale paying every former resident?

No. Only Florida and North Carolina residents who meet the move-in date, community fee, and arbitration conditions qualify.

Can I qualify if I no longer live at Brookdale?

Yes. Former residents and estates can qualify if the move-in and contract conditions are met.

Do I need a notice or claim ID?

A notice ID is not required under the standard process. If you think you qualify but never received a notice, contact the administrator.

Do I need to prove I was physically harmed?

No. Eligibility depends on the class definition and your residency and contract records, not proof of injury.

What if I stayed less than a year?

The notice does not clearly say how partial years are handled. Contact the administrator for a calculation.

Can the estate of a deceased resident get paid?

Yes, if the resident qualifies and a legally authorized representative files with the required documents.

Is the payment taxable, and could it affect benefits?

Tax treatment depends on the nature of the payment and your circumstances, and the settlement documents do not set a universal rule. If the resident receives means-tested benefits such as Medicaid or SSI, ask a benefits advisor or elder law attorney whether a payment could affect eligibility. Consult a tax professional for tax questions.

What is the Brookdale settlement deadline?

The published claim deadline is January 24, 2027. Because the agreement ties the deadline to final approval, confirm the date on the official website before filing.

Should I pay anyone to file my claim?

No. Filing is free. Be cautious of anyone who charges a fee, asks for a Social Security number by phone or text, or promises a bigger payout.

Official Brookdale Settlement Contact Information

Settlement administrator: BrownGreer PLC

Official website: BrookdaleBrightClassSettlement.com

Online claim form: Submit Brookdale Claim

Phone: 1-888-745-5080

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Brookdale Florida and North Carolina Settlement Program, Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25008, Richmond, VA 23260

Bottom line: Qualifying Florida and North Carolina Brookdale residents may receive a 26% community fee refund plus up to $150, or $255 in one North Carolina category. Check your move-in date, community fee, and arbitration paperwork, then file before the published January 24, 2027 deadline and confirm that date on the official website.

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. Brookdale denies the allegations. The settlement agreement and court orders control each person’s rights and payments. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.

Sources

• Official settlement website (BrookdaleBrightClassSettlement.com), including Court-Authorized Class Notice, Class Action Settlement Agreement, Preliminary Approval Order, and claim form
• Bright v. Brookdale Senior Living Inc., No. 3:19-cv-00374, and Gunza v. Brookdale Senior Living Inc., No. 3:20-cv-00353 (M.D. Tenn.)
• AARP Foundation Litigation, case docket and background
• OpenClassActions settlement report (status as of November 3, 2026)
• Florida Statutes §§ 501.204, 501.211, 501.2105, 429.24, 429.28, 429.41, 768.16–768.26; Chapters 429 and 682; Fla. Admin. Code Ch. 59A-36
• North Carolina General Statutes §§ 75-1.1, 75-16, 75-16.1, 75-16.2, 131D-21, 28A-18-2, 1-569.1 et seq.; 10A NCAC 13F
• 9 U.S.C. § 2; Fed. R. Civ. P. 23; 28 U.S.C. § 1715