class-action-claim-form

name	class-action-claim-form
title	Class Action Claim Form
description	Drafts official class action claim forms balancing plain-language accessibility with FRCP 23 enforceability. Trigger when creating settlement claim forms, proof-of-claim documents, or class member claim submissions.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/class-action-claim-form
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	litigation
language	en
tags	["drafting","pleading"]

Class Action Claim Form

Draft an enforceable claim form enabling lay claimants to submit settlement claims while satisfying FRCP 23, court orders, and the settlement agreement.

Prerequisites

Gather before drafting:

1. Settlement agreement — approved or pending, with class definition, claim categories, compensation structure
2. Court orders — preliminary/final approval with any form-specific requirements
3. Class definition — precise membership criteria (dates, transactions, geography)
4. Administrator details — name, address, email, phone, website
5. Release scope — released parties, released claims, statutory waiver requirements

Quick Start

1. Confirm jurisdiction (FRCP 23 vs. state equivalent) and adapt statutory language accordingly
2. Draft each section below in order
3. Write at 8th-grade reading level — short sentences, active voice, defined terms
4. Do not simplify release or certification language to the point of unenforceability
5. Run the checks in Pitfalls before finalizing

Form Sections

1. Header & Case Identification

• Title: "OFFICIAL CLAIM FORM" — bold, prominent
• Full case caption, court name, docket number
• Administrator contact (mail, email, phone, website)
• Deadline: bold, specific date/time with timezone; state postmark vs. receipt rule
• Intro paragraph: plain-language eligibility summary, reference to settlement agreement date and approval order

2. Claimant Information

Structured fields:

• Full legal name (as during class period), current name if different
• Current address, email, phone, alternative contact
• Class-specific identifiers: purchase dates, account numbers, employment periods — explain why each is needed
• Special claimants (if applicable): deceased (executor + authority docs), minors/incapacitated (guardian + docs), entities (name + authorized rep)
• Privacy disclosure: how personal information will be used and protected

3. Claim Details & Documentation

Per claim category from the settlement:

• Checkbox, category description, applicable date range
• Fields for amount/damages, reference number, description of harm

Documentation tiers:

Claim Amount