Seattle and Federal Way schools Carruth data breach settlement
Fitch, et al. v. Seattle Public Schools, et al.
Also known as Federal Way Public Schools; Carruth Compliance Consulting; Carruth settlement; Fitch v. Seattle Public Schools
The lawsuit was about a December 2024 hack of Carruth, a retirement plan vendor holding district staff data.
Copied from the official notice. Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- You could get
- Cash (a share of the fund, split among everyone who files), at most $599 Up to $5,000 for losses you can show with paperwork.
Source
“A pro rata cash payment of up to $599”
From the administrator site: Official online claim form (text loaded with the Submit Claim page). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- You need
- No receipt needed Needs the code from your notice Notice ID from your mailed notice, or the name and address the notice letter was sent to Some paperwork: describes the claim form only
Source
“2A. Verification of Settlement Class Membership ... The unique identifier from the mailed Notice, or the name and physical address the July 2025 notice letter was issued to. ... Login with your Notice ID and Confirmation Code ... I did not receive a notice and need to fill out a Claim Form.”
From the administrator site: Official online claim form (text loaded with the Submit Claim page). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Who can file
- Data the Seattle or Federal Way school districts gave Carruth
Source
“The Settlement Class is defined as: all individuals whose personal information was provided by Defendants to Carruth Compliance Consulting, Inc. and was compromised in the data breach disclosed by Carruth in January 2025. ... Excluded from the Settlement Class are: (i) all persons who are directors or officers of Seattle Public Schools or Federal Way Public Schools, (ii) government entities, (iii) the Judge assigned to the Action, and that Judge’s immediate family and Court staff,”
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S.
Source
“The Settlement Class is defined as: all individuals whose personal information was provided by Defendants to Carruth Compliance Consulting, Inc. and was compromised in the data breach disclosed by Carruth in January 2025.”
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Time to file
- About 4 minutes
Source
Our estimate of how long the official claim form takes. The notice does not say.
From the official site: carruthsettlement.com. Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
Free. The official site never charges.
Quick answers
How much is the Seattle and Federal Way schools Carruth data breach settlement payout?
Cash (a share of the fund, split among everyone who files), at most $599. Up to $5,000 for losses you can show with paperwork.
Where is the Seattle and Federal Way schools Carruth data breach settlement claim form?
On the official site, www.carruthsettlement.com. Filing is free. The last day to file is Dec 2, 2026.
When will the Seattle and Federal Way schools Carruth data breach settlement pay?
Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval and any appeals are over.
The final approval hearing is set for Dec 18, 2026.
Is the Seattle and Federal Way schools Carruth data breach settlement legit?
The settlement administrator (the company that handles claims) is Angeion, and the official site is www.carruthsettlement.com. Real notices point there; if a link in a message goes anywhere else, do not use it.
The official site never asks you to pay to file.
Compare yourself to the official class definition
You may be included if Seattle or Federal Way schools gave Carruth your data and it was compromised in the breach disclosed in January 2025.
You are not included if you are a director or officer of either district, or the judge, the judge's family or court staff.
Check each condition yourself. The boxes are only for you; nothing is sent or stored.
all individuals whose personal information was provided by Defendants to Carruth Compliance Consulting, Inc. and was compromised in the data breach disclosed by Carruth in January 2025.
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site)
This checklist is for guidance only and can be wrong. Only the court's definition decides. Read the official wording before you file.
Official payout table
The amounts the settlement itself sets. We do not work out a personal amount.
| Option and condition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash payment (a share of the fund)The most one claim can get | Up to $599 |
| Out-of-pocket losses you can show with paperworkThe most one claim can get | Up to $5,000 |
The cash payment may be less than $599 depending on the number of valid claims. Losses need third-party documents. Both may be claimed.
All Settlement Class Members may elect to receive a Pro Rata Cash Fund Payment up to $599, regardless of whether they make a claim for Out-of-Pocket Losses. Depending on the number of Valid Claims submitted, the ultimate Pro Rata Cash Payment may be less than $599.
From the administrator site: Official online claim form (text loaded with the Submit Claim page)
Estimates can change with the number of valid claims and court deductions. Guidance only.
How to file
-
Find the code from your notice
- Notice ID from your mailed notice, or the name and address the notice letter was sent to
-
Gather what you need
No proof of purchase is required.
- For out-of-pocket losses: third-party documents such as receipts or statements (self-prepared papers alone are not enough)
-
File online, or by mail
At www.carruthsettlement.com, by Dec 2, 2026. Filing is free.
Or mail a paper claim form to:Fitch, et al v. Seattle Public Schools, et al., c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The deadline note says: “Online by December 2, 2026, or by mail postmarked by December 2, 2026; a mailed claim with no postmark counts if received within seven days of December 2, 2026.” -
Save your confirmation
Keep your confirmation number or email. You do not need to file again.
Confirm with the administrator before you act.
After you file
Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval and any appeals are over.
The final approval hearing is set for Dec 18, 2026.
For context: First payments were issued 52 to 875 days after final approval, based on 15 settlements. Half were paid within 119 days. 1 of the 15 waited on appeals after approval.
Also ending this week
Related settlements
Case details
- Case
- Fitch, et al. v. Seattle Public Schools, et al.
- Court
- Superior Court of the State of Washington, King County
- Case number
- 25-2-04060-7 SEA
- Administrator
- Angeion
- Official site
- www.carruthsettlement.com
- Settlement fund
- $300,000 (non-reversionary common fund)
- Full payout terms
- Up to $599 cash, plus up to $5,000 for documented lossesA pro rata cash payment of up to $599 (it may be less, depending on the number of valid claims), plus up to $5,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses (third-party documents required). Both may be claimed. Payments may be reduced pro rata so the total stays within the $300,000 fund.
- Effort
- Easy, about 4 minutes
Other dates
- Opt-out (exclusion) deadline
- (passed) source document
- Objection deadline
- (passed) source document
- Final approval hearing
- (ahead) source document
The court’s exact words
all individuals whose personal information was provided by Defendants to Carruth Compliance Consulting, Inc. and was compromised in the data breach disclosed by Carruth in January 2025.
Quoted from the official notice. Read the notice for the full definition.
Our notes: The settlement concerns a December 2024 cyber incident at Carruth Compliance Consulting, a third-party retirement plan vendor of Seattle Public Schools and Federal Way Public Schools, which the notice says may have affected the personal information of the two districts' current and former employees. Per the notice, the class is all individuals whose personal information the districts gave Carruth and which was compromised in the breach Carruth disclosed in January 2025. Excluded: directors and officers of either district, government entities, the judge and the judge's immediate family and court staff, people who opt out, and anyone found guilty of causing the incident. Read the notice for the full definition.
Sources and checks (5)
Every fact people act on was copied from the official source and compared with it. How we check
- Official settlement website home page administrator site
- Official online claim form (text loaded with the Submit Claim page) administrator site
- Official long-form notice (PDF on official site) administrator site
- Official claim form (PDF on official site) administrator site
- Preliminary Approval Order (King County Superior Court, filed August 4, 2026; PDF on official site) court record
What changedLast change Oct 27, 2026
- Page created. Claims open until December 2, 2026. source document
Questions
I already filed. What now?
Keep your confirmation number or email. You do not need to file again. Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval; once it does, the payment status page shows what is known.