Payments in class action lawsuit in Dr. Nikita Levy case revealed
Nearly four years after the allegations emerged, the victims are finally learning the amounts of their payments from a class action lawsuit in the case of Dr. Nikita Levy.
The Johns Hopkins gynecologist, who killed himself in February 2013, after being accused of secretly photographing and videotaping women during exams.
With more than 9,000 plaintiffs, it has been a long process, but it appears that work to divide up the $190 million in settlement money is complete.
A judge approved the settlement more than two years ago. WBAL-TV 11 News has learned the next phase in the process is underway as determination letters were sent to the members of the Levy Settlement Class informing each plaintiff how much she's been awarded.
There are 9,600 women in this class action case.
"We understand that everyone would like their money as soon as possible and we are trying to accommodate that," retired Judge Irma Raker, part of the allocation team, says in a website video.
The website was created to keep the class members up-to-date, the claims adjudicator -- Raker -- posted a video explaining the process and urging patience.
"You have to remember, there are 9,600 women in this class action. It's probably one of the biggest, or the biggest class action of its type in the country," Raker said in the video.
Settlement administrators and the chairman of the plaintiffs' steering committee for the class action did not return 11 News' calls and emails Thursday to confirm the amounts awarded.
But administrators had previously said the plaintiffs would be divided into four categories based on severity of injuries.
Documents obtained by 11 News, reportedly sent to plaintiffs, outline the payment allocations for members of four groups.
The amounts listed in those documents range from about $1,800 to more than $26,000.
- Category one, with 678 members, will receive $1,750
- Category two, with 2,121 members, will receive $11,629
- Category three, with 4,739 members, will receive $20,001
- Category four, with 806 members, will receive $26,048
Regardless of the final amount awarded, administrators have said all the victims will be paid at the same time.