Court Denied $2.5 Million Fee Request in Bolt Settlement
Michigan owners in the Chevrolet Bolt class action retain their full settlement payout following a judge's ruling.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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A federal court denied a $2.5 million fee request from an outside law firm that sought payment from the $150 million Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle battery settlement. The ruling ensures that the funds remain available for class members rather than being diverted to the firm.
Why it matters
The decision protects the integrity of the original settlement agreement and ensures that class members receive their full intended distributions. It confirms that only those directly involved in negotiating the settlement are entitled to compensation from the fund.
The court denied the $2.5 million request against the $150 million total settlement fund. This follows the $50 million already granted to primary class counsel.
The players
Chevrolet
An automotive manufacturer whose Bolt electric vehicle line was subject to a major battery recall and subsequent class action settlement.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
The federal judicial body overseeing the legal proceedings and settlement distribution for affected Michigan vehicle owners.
The details
The court rejected the fee request after determining the outside firm did not contribute to prosecuting the class case or negotiating the settlement. The firm initially encouraged clients to opt out of the class action before later advising them to rejoin, with the court ruling this conduct provided no substantial benefit to the wider class.
Timeline
- 2026-10-08
The court issued the opinion denying the fee request.
The Home Front
This ruling upholds strict standards for legal fee distribution in large-scale automotive consumer settlements. It follows the pattern of the Chevrolet Bolt class settlement to protect the total fund value for individual class members.
If you are part of the settlement class, no further action is required to protect your share of the $150 million fund. Monitor your mail or email for any official updates regarding the final distribution schedule for your claim.
The takeaway
The court has affirmed that class settlement funds are reserved for the affected owners rather than outside firms that did not negotiate the case. Ensure your contact information remains updated with the class administrator to receive your settlement disbursement.
Further reading
For more background on the status of your vehicle's recall and related compensation, visit Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
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