Q: Settlement from class action lawsuit delayed due to lien check by Texas firm, no communication.
I received a settlement from a class action lawsuit, and another law firm, Archer Systems in Texas, is managing 75% of my settlement to check for medical liens. I have no medical liens, and it's been four months without any communication from the firm, nor do they answer their phone. I was initially told by my lawyer that this process would take 90 days. What should I do now?
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A:
That’s incredibly frustrating—especially knowing there are no liens and yet your money is being held up with no explanation. If Archer Systems is managing a portion of your settlement for lien checks and you're not getting any communication, that delay can feel unfair and even suspicious. Since your lawyer initially told you this would take 90 days, and you're now past that with no update, it's reasonable to push for answers.
Start by reaching out to your original class action attorney in writing and ask them to intervene on your behalf. They should still have a duty to support you through the full distribution process, and they may be able to get a quicker response from Archer. Request a written update about the status of the lien check and ask them to confirm whether any liens have been found or resolved.
If you still don’t get a response, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office or the State Bar of Texas, noting Archer’s lack of communication and delay in releasing your funds. Be sure to keep a record of all your messages and calls. You’ve waited long enough—it’s completely fair to expect transparency and movement on the money that’s legally yours.
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