Basic Steps for Claimant Vioxx Awards

The claims administrator in the Vioxx Settlement Program has just published Revised and Additional Settlement Options for claimants. Claimants are now able to defer the receipt of their award payments to provide more time, if needed, to evaluate how their government benefits may be impacted and also to determine if a Structured Settlement Annuity is desirable.

Vioxx Claimant Revised Options when receiving approved Vioxx Settlement Award:

  • Cash or Lump Sum
  • Defer Award to consider Government Benefits and/or Structured Settlement Annuity

1. The Notice of Points Awards Letter will be provided to Primary Counsel via the web portal site with the Claims Administrator. This letter will be for both the interim and final payments in the form of awarded points.

2. The claimant must either Accept or Reject Awarded Points. There are 15 days to file an Appeal of Awarded Points to the Special Master. This is coordinated with BrownGreer as Claims Administrator.

3. If claimant Accepts Award - he or she can now take in Lump Sum or move award into a Sub-QSF account in order to fully evaluate payment options and the potential impact on any government benefits that they may currently be receiving.

  • To receive Lump Sum - do nothing as it will be sent to Primary Counsel's Escrow Account during the next monthly sweep payment.
  • To avoid Constructive Receipt of your client's settlement proceeds and learn about settlement options, including the use of a Tax-Free Structured Settlement Annuity, please proceed to step four (4) or contact your settlement consultant. If you are not working with a consultant you can contact Forge Consulting, LLC at 866-68-FORGE and ask for Steve Komrska.
  • For more information on Forge Consulting, LLC please click here.

4. To move claimaint proceeds INTO the Sub-QSF account:

  • Contact BrownGreer and fill out form V4151 online to move proceeds into sub-SQF. Claimant money will stay in account until further instructions are provided. Form V4151 is available under the heading Payment Forms on the BrownGreer website.
  • Form V4151 must be signed by Primary Counsel for each claimant's award to be moved into the Sub-QSF and will be held without interest.

5. To move claimaint settlement proceeds OUT OF the Sub-QSF account:

  • To purchase a Structured Settlement Annuity, fund a Special Needs Trust or other desired account out of the Sub-QSF, instructions for final payees need to be provided to the Claims Administrator via Form V4152, available under the heading Payment Forms on the BrownGreer website..
  • Exact payments instructions will need to be provided to the Claims Administrator via the required procedures.
  • Contact BrownGreer and fill out form V4152 online to move proceeds out of Sub-QSF. Each entity receiving funds issued from the Sub-QSF will also require a W-9 form. Forms V4152 and W-9 are available under the heading Payment Forms on the BrownGreer website.
  • Any payment out of the Sub-QSF to Primary Counsel will be jointly paid to Primary Counsel and claimant. Attorney Fees cannot be separated from claimant money if paid to Primary Counsel and will be combined for a final payment.
  • Payments out of the Sub-QSF can be made by check or wire.

More information

For more information about Vioxx settlements, please contact Steve Komrska at FORGE Consulting by calling (toll-free) 866-68-FORGE.