UGN Cleared for $299,000 Health Plan Tobacco Penalty Settlement

UGN Inc. finalized a $299,000 class settlement resolving litigation over the automobile part maker’s practice of charging tobacco-using workers an annual $1,152 penalty for health coverage.

The deal represents 36% of the workers’ estimated damages and is expected to benefit about 431 people who paid the tobacco surcharge in connection with UGN’s health plan between August 2018 and December 2024, according to court filings.

• Judge Edmond E. Chang of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted final approval to the settlement Tuesday and awarded class counsel about $125,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses
• Dozens of recent ...