Published
June 17, 2026
If Sarasota Memorial mailed you a letter about past-due auto-accident emergency medical debt, you may claim up to $1,000 from a $200,000 Florida settlement — the claim deadline is July 10, 2026.
What Is This Settlement About?
Sarasota County Public Hospital District, which does business as Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS), has agreed to a class action settlement resolving claims about how it billed and collected past-due emergency medical debt tied to automobile-accident injuries. The underlying lawsuit, captioned Daugherty v. Sarasota County Public Hospital District, alleged that the District's billing practices and collection letters — seeking balances that may have exceeded the amount allowed under Florida's personal injury protection (PIP) coverage limits — violated Section 559.72(9) of the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA).The parties reached the agreement after a mediation conference held on December 20, 2025. Under its terms, the District will establish a $200,000 settlement fund for eligible Florida class members and has agreed not to send billing or collection communications demanding a balance unless a contract or a specific Florida law permits collecting it. SMHCS denies that its collection attempts violated the FCCPA and maintains it did nothing wrongful or unlawful; it agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The settlement remains subject to final court approval.
Status
Claims Open
Claim Deadline
July 10, 2026
Estimated Payout
Up to $1,000
Pro rata share of a $200,000 fund · $1,000 each if fewer than 200 valid claims are filed
Proof Required
Yes
Last name + Notice ID from the mailed settlement notice required to file
Who Qualifies?
The settlement class is defined narrowly. You are a class member if you meet all of the following:- You are a consumer-patient who resided in Florida at any point from June 7, 2017 through May 6, 2026;
- SMHCS mailed you a billing letter seeking payment for emergency medical services where the injuries were caused by or related to an automobile accident;
- You had an active automobile insurance policy at the time of the accident; and
- The letter sought a balance in excess of the amount allowed under Florida law.
How Much Can You Get?
The settlement administrator will divide the $200,000 fund among all class members who submit valid and timely claims, up to a maximum of $1,000 per person. If fewer than 200 valid claims are filed, each claimant receives the full $1,000. If more than 200 valid claims come in, the fund is split equally among the claimants, so the per-person payment drops below $1,000 as participation rises.Any money left in the fund after distribution — for example, from settlement checks that go uncashed after the cashing period ends — is directed to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation as a cy pres recipient rather than reverting to the hospital district.
How to File a Claim
There are two ways to submit a claim before the July 10, 2026 deadline:- Online: File through the official settlement website. The online claim form asks for your last name and the Notice ID printed on the notice that was mailed to you.
- By mail: Complete the paper claim form included with your mailed notice and return it to the settlement administrator at the address printed on the form.
If you lived in Florida and received emergency care from Sarasota Memorial, you may also want to review our explainer on how pro rata settlement payments are calculated, since the per-person amount here depends on how many people file.
Key Deadlines
- Claim Deadline: July 10, 2026 (postmarked or submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST)
- Exclusion (Opt-Out) Deadline: June 25, 2026 (postmarked)
- Objection Deadline: June 25, 2026 (postmarked)
- Final Approval Hearing: July 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
- Class Period: June 7, 2017 – May 6, 2026
Avoid Settlement Scams
Legitimate settlement administrators never ask you to pay a fee to receive a class action payment, and they will not ask for your full Social Security number or banking login over the phone or by email. File only through the official settlement website linked on this page, and ignore any message demanding payment or sensitive information to "release" your settlement money.Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Sarasota Memorial medical debt settlement?
Florida consumer-patients who, between June 7, 2017 and May 6, 2026, were mailed a Sarasota Memorial Health Care System billing letter seeking payment for emergency medical services tied to an automobile-accident injury — where they had active auto insurance and the letter sought a balance exceeding the amount allowed under Florida law — may be eligible to file a claim.
How much can class members receive?
Each valid claimant receives a pro rata share of the $200,000 settlement fund, capped at $1,000 per person. If fewer than 200 valid claims are filed, each claimant receives $1,000; if more than 200 are filed, the fund is divided equally and the per-person amount is lower.
Do I need proof to file a claim?
Yes. To file online you must enter your last name and the Notice ID printed on the settlement notice mailed to you. Because filing is gated on an administrator-issued Notice ID, this settlement counts as proof-required even though no receipts or out-of-pocket documentation are needed.
What is the claim deadline?
The deadline to submit a claim is July 10, 2026. Claims can be filed online or by mailing the paper claim form included with the notice.
Sources
- Official Settlement Website — FL Daugherty Class Settlement
- Daugherty v. Sarasota County Public Hospital District, Case No. 2019-CA-003178-NC, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota County, Florida
Official Settlement Notice
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Settlement Amount
$200,000 fund · up to $1,000 per claimant
Case Title
Daugherty v. Sarasota County Public Hospital District
Case Number
2019-CA-003178-NC
Court
Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota County, FL
Final Approval Hearing
July 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Hon. Hunter W. Carroll · Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, Sarasota
Administrator
Atticus Administration
Official Website
FL Daugherty Class Settlement.com
