Securities Class Action Lawsuits & Settlements

(1) LP Pending - Class action lawsuits require a lead plaintiff ('LP'), which is person or entity is responsible for consulting with and overseeing lead counsel for the class, approving filings, approving any settlements that may come about, and generally acting in the best interests of all class members. A status of 'LP Pending' indicates that the lead plaintiff has not yet been selected by the court.

(2) Active - After the court selects a lead plaintiff, a case is considered 'Active' in that litigation regarding the allegations contained in the complaint is ongoing.

(3) Motion to Dismiss Denied - After reviewing motions filed by the parties in the action, the judge has determined that plaintiffs have adequately alleged some or all of their claims. The judge has therefore denied the motion to dismiss filed by defendants, and the case will proceed with parties litigating the claims that adequately alleged.

(4) Motion to Dismiss Filed - After reviewing the complaint(s) filed by plaintiffs, defendants have filed a motion requesting that the court dismiss some or all of the plaintiffs' claims. In a motion to dismiss, defendants might challenge the validity of plaintiffs' claims or adequacy of plaintiffs' pleadings. Once a motion to dismiss is filed, the judge will make a decision on whether part or all of the case should be dismissed or the case can proceed as alleged.

(5) Motion to Dismiss Granted - After reviewing motions filed by the parties in the action, the judge has determined that the case should not proceed. The judge has therefore granted the motion to dismiss filed by defendants, and the case will usually be closed. Plaintiffs have a period of time in which they may amend their complaint or appeal the court's decision to dismiss the complaint. If plaintiffs appeal, the case will be transferred to an appellate court, where the decision will either be upheld or reversed.

(6) SJ Filed - A motion for summary judgment is typically filed when a party in the action claims that there is no real dispute about material facts on either the merits of an entire case or on discrete issues in that case, and asks the judge to make a determination on those claims without a trial.

(7) SJ Granted - Summary judgment is a judgment entered by a court for one party and against another party without a full trial. Summary judgment is typically granted when there are no material facts being contested and the judge is able to make a determination on some or all claims without a trial.

(8) SJ Denied - Summary judgment is denied when a judge determines that sufficient questions of fact exist to proceed to trial on some or all of the claims alleged in the complaint.

(9) Class Certified - The court has determined that a class action is the appropriate method to bring the claims by class members. Usually, when a class is certified, the judge will also affirm an individual or entity to represent the class and finalize a class definition (i.e.: who is represented in the lawsuit).

(10) On Appeal - A litigant has asked a higher court to review a decision by the judge. The case will be transferred to an appellate court, where the decision will either be upheld or reversed.

(11) Settlement Pending - Parties have reached a settlement and submitted it to the court for consideration, but the court has not yet approved the settlement.

(12) Closed $ - The case has concluded in a monetary recovery for shareholders.

(13) Closed - The case has concluded without monetary recovery for shareholders.