Velez et al v. Novartis Corporation et al, No. 1:2004cv09194 - Document 314 (S.D.N.Y. 2010)

Court Description: DECISION APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: The road to this Settlement was long, arduous, risky and expensive. The Settlement is, by all measures, excellent. For the reasons set forth in this opinion, the Court certifies the Settlement Class as fina l; approve the Settlement; awards the requested compensatory damages and service fees to the Named Plaintiffs, Testifying Witnesses and Class Member Deponents, and grants the application for attorneys' fees and expenses. I am also appointing The Hon. William B. Wetzel (ret.) as the Claims Adjudicator, and Dr. Neal A. Gelfand as the Court Monitor. Judgment is being entered simultaneously with the dissemination of this opinion (1) dismissing this action with prejudice; and (2) requiring that all materials marked as containing Confidential or Highly Confidential Information pursuant to the Protective Order entered in the Civil Action be returned to the producing party or destroyed. (Signed by Judge Colleen McMahon on 11/30/2010) (lnl)