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Florida residents who received a collection letter from Sarasota County Public Hospital District, d/b/a Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, about past-due emergency medical debt related to an automobile accident may be eligible to claim up to $1,000 from a class action settlement.
Sarasota County Public Hospital District agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging violations of the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act regarding its billing and collection practices for emergency medical services following auto accidents. The settlement also provides for changes in SMHCS’s billing practices.
Who can file a claim?
Individuals must meet all of the following criteria:
- They reside in the state of Florida.
- They received emergency medical services related to injuries caused by or associated with an automobile accident.
- They held an active automobile insurance policy at the time of the accident.
- They received at least one collection or billing letter from SMHCS seeking payment for emergency medical services.
- The billing letter from SMHCS sought payment for an amount that exceeded the amount permitted under Florida law (specifically, above the personal injury protection coverage limitations).
- SMHCS contacted them between June 7, 2017, and May 6, 2026.
The class is estimated to include approximately 3,585 individuals based on SMHCS’s records. Those who received a notice about this settlement are most likely class members.
How much can class members get?
Pro rata payment: Each eligible class member who submits a valid and timely claim will receive a pro rata share of the $200,000 settlement payment fund. The maximum payment per class member is $1,000.
The actual amount each class member receives depends on the number of valid claims submitted. The settlement administrator will divide the $200,000 fund equally among all valid claimants. If class members submit less than 200 valid claims, each claimant will receive $1,000. If they submit more than 200 valid claims, the administrator will divide the fund equally among all claimants, resulting in a lower payment per person.
The settlement administrator will donate any funds remaining after 60 days (for example, from uncashed checks) to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation as a cy pres award.
How to claim a settlement payment
Class members can file an online claim form or complete the claim form included in their mailed notice and send it to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Daugherty Class Action ,c/o Atticus Administration, PO Box 64053, St. Paul, MN 55164
The claim deadline is July 10, 2026.
Required information
To file an online claim, class members must provide their last name and the notice ID from the settlement notice they received.
Payout options
The settlement administrator will mail paper checks to class members. They must cash the check within 60 days of issuance. If the check returns as undeliverable, the administrator will attempt to find a valid address and resend the payment.
Settlement fund breakdown
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys’ fees and costs: Up to $495,000
- Service award to class representative: Up to $1,000
- Payments to class members: Up to $200,000
Important dates
- Deadline to request exclusion (opt out): June 25, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: July 10, 2026
- Final approval (fairness) hearing: July 29, 2026
When is the Daugherty v. Sarasota County Public Hospital District payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.
Why is there a class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleged SMHCS sent billing and collection letters to Florida patients for emergency medical services after auto accidents, seeking amounts above what is allowed under Florida law. The plaintiff claimed this violated Section 559.72(9) of the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act.
SMHCS denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs and risks.
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