November 10, 2025

Updates on YDC Settlement Fund, Litigation

To Our Clients—

We continue to forge ahead on key aspects of the YDC Settlement Fund and Litigation process.

Settlement Fund

On the Settlement Fund side, we remain in a holding pattern as we work to challenge the unfair and destructive changes that the governor and attorney general made to the fund (i.e., making the fund administrator a political appointee and giving the state power to veto awards that officials deem too high). Our challenge aims to reverse these changes and restore the fairness and integrity of the process.

In a recent briefing that we attended with the judge regarding our class action lawsuit against the state, we learned that the judge has recused himself — that is, taken himself off the case. This often happens when a judge has a connection to a case that could be perceived as a conflict. Judge St. Hilaire determined that he might have a perceived conflict with this case and would feel more comfortable if another judge took his place. Our hope is that the court appoints a new judge swiftly, so we can continue moving forward with our challenge to the state and, ultimately, restore the Settlement Fund process to its former framework. We will be in touch as soon as the court tells us who the new judge will be.

Litigation — Rockingham

The state Supreme Court will hear our appeal in the David Meehan case. We are asking the court to help settle the unacceptable cap that the state imposed on the historic, $38 million settlement that jurors initially delivered to David Meehan. We have been scheduled for a hearing — called an oral argument — at the end of the month. The court will not issue a decision on that day, but will provide that decision in writing at a later date. We do not yet know when they will issue the decision, but will be sure to tell you as soon as we learn more.

Merrimack County Cases

Claims filed in Merrimack County are progressing on schedule. We recently had a status conference with the judge, and await another one this fall, to discuss the trials moving forward. We will be sure to keep you posted on the schedule of these cases.

As always, be sure to check Case Status regularly for updates.

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