If 2008's figures on ERISA and FLSA lawsuits are any indication, employers can expect even more legal filings this year, as employees continue to lose their jobs in the economic recession, predicts international law firm Seyfarth Shaw.
According the 5th Annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report compiled by Seyfarth Shaw, the top 10 ERISA class action settlements entered into or paid in 2008 totaled $17.7 billion, up from the $1.818 billion settlement tally of the previous year.
The firm attributed the exponential increase to more "stock drop suits," where the retirement plan participants challenge the perceived lack of employer stock as an investment option, and "plan administration" suits challenging excessive advisory fees and other mechanics of the plan.
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