Q: What is the EQSF? Is the EQSF affiliated with Exxon Corporation?
A: The "EQSF" is the Exxon Qualified Settlement Fund. It was established to distribute any settlement monies received by All Plaintiffs from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill litigation. The EQSF is NOT affiliated with Exxon Corporation. Judge Holland approved All Plaintiffs' request to establish the EQSF as a means of distributing to plaintiffs monies recovered in the litigation from Exxon. Judge Holland appointed plaintiffs’ attorney Lynn Lincoln Sarko, of the Keller Rohrback L.L.P. law firm of Seattle, as the Administrator of the EQSF.
Q: How were individual claimant shares determined? Can those shares be changed?
A: Shares are calculated within each claim category pursuant to the Plans of Distribution approved by Judge Holland. The Plans of Distribution are final orders that cannot be changed. As claims are processed, each claimant receives a final percent share letter explaining how the claimant's share was calculated and setting forth rights of appeal. Once those rights of appeal have been exercised or expire, final percent shares cannot be changed.
Q: How do I know if my claims have been included on an application for distribution that has been filed with the court?
A: All applications for distribution are summarized and available for online viewing here.
Q: How does the EQSF make distributions?
A: The EQSF will issue checks, unless a claimant has elected to receive his or her award by direct deposit to a checking or savings account. To learn more about the EQSF's direct deposit program, click here.
Q: Why have I not received confirmation of my direct deposit status?
A: Direct deposit forms are processed on a rolling basis as we receive them. Please note, however, that we “freeze” the processing of new direct deposit forms sufficiently in advance of a payment distribution to ensure that we have enough time to complete the process of testing each direct deposit account. Thus, it is important that claimants not wait until the last minute to send in their direct deposit forms, as we cannot guarantee that we will have sufficient time to complete and test new direct deposit accounts in advance of issuing payments. Claimants who have submitted a direct deposit request that cannot be processed and tested in time to make a direct deposit distribution will, instead, receive their claim payment via a mailed, paper check.
Q: Are punitive damages taxable?
A: Yes. The EQSF cannot give tax advice. However, the EQSF has been advised that the entire amount of your punitive damage award must be reported as taxable to the IRS. You should check with your accountant or tax adviser.
Q: Why have I not received any recent mail from the EQSF?
A: Either we have had no reason to mail anything to you, or your mailing address is incorrect. If you have recently moved or changed where you receive your mail, please contact the EQSF to update your mailing.
Q: I received a check for zero dollars. Why? Does that mean I will not receive any more money?
A: Typically, checks for zero dollars are issued when a claimant has been overpaid from a prior claims distribution and/or is subject to a lien. Depending upon the degree of overpayment or the size of the lien, a claimant may or may not receive more money. Each situation is unique; please contact us if you have questions about your specific claims.
Q: Is it too late to file a claim?
A: Yes. The deadline for filing claims in each of the more than 50 claim categories has expired.
Q: What will happen to my claims if I die?
A: In general, your claims should pass to your estate. For more information on estates, click here. You are strongly encouraged to consult with an estate planning lawyer of your choice.
Q: Does the EQSF require documentation to record a name change due to marriage or divorce?
A: Yes, for information on how to change your name, click here.