LHNH LaVista $8.45M Apartment Fire Class Action Settlement

Individuals who lived at The Reserve at LaVista Walk apartments in Atlanta and suffered displacement and financial losses due to the Nov. 10, 2023, fire may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

LHNH LaVista LLC and related entities agreed to pay $8.45 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it is responsible for damages and losses residents suffered after a major fire at the apartment complex on Nov. 10, 2023.

Who can file a claim?

The settlement class includes all individuals who lived at The Reserve at LaVista Walk on Nov. 10, 2023, including:

• Adults ages 18 or older who resided at the property on the date of the fire
• Minor children younger than age 18 who lived at the property on the date of the fire (a parent or legal guardian claims must file the claim)
• Assignees, subrogated insurers and successors of residents

How much can class members get?

The settlement provides compensation from a total fund of $8.45 million, which the settlement divides into two main pools after deductions for attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, settlement administration costs and taxes. It splits the remaining net settlement fund as follows:

• Displacement pool: The settlement allocates $1,300,000 to compensate adult class members for displacement. The settlement administrator will divide this pool equally among all qualifying adults.
• Property loss pool: The settlement allocates the remainder of the net settlement fund to property loss claims. Each claimant’s share is based on the recognized value of their lost or damaged property minus any insurance proceeds received. The settlement administrator will distribute this pool pro rata based on the value of all valid claims.
• Children’s award: Each eligible minor child will receive a flat $2,500 payment. This amount covers claims for both displacement and property loss for the child, and the settlement administrator will not reduce it by the number of claims or insurance proceeds.

How to claim a settlement payment

To receive compensation, class members must submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail or email it to the settlement administrator. Each adult must file a separate claim for displacement compensation. Parents or legal guardians may include claims for minor children on the same form.

Settlement administrator’s mailing address: LaVista Fire Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25191, Santa Ana, CA 92799

Settlement administrator's email address: info@lavistafiresettlement.com

The deadline to file a claim is Nov. 22, 2026.

Required proof/documentation

• Proof of residency: Claimants must provide proof of residency if their name does not appear in the property's leasing records. Acceptable proof includes rent receipts, utility bills or other reliable documentation.
• Property loss: Class members claiming property losses must provide documentation, such as receipts, invoices, photos, repair estimates or signed inventory.
• Insurance: Class members who received insurance payments must provide the carrier name, policy number, proceeds received and allocation.
• Online claims: Class members using the online claim form must provide the login ID and PIN they received in their settlement notice.

Payout options

• ACH/direct deposit
• Check by mail to the address provided

$8.45 million settlement fund breakdown

The $8,450,000 settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administration costs: Amount not specified
• Taxes: Amounts not specified
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $2,813,850
• Attorneys' expenses: To be determined
• Displacement pool: $1,300,000
• Payments to minor children: $2,500 per eligible child
• Property loss pool: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Deadline to opt out: Nov. 22, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Nov. 22, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Jan. 5, 2027

When is the LaVista fire settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members one the court has resolved any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

Residents claimed LHNH LaVista and related entities were responsible for a fire at The Reserve at LaVista Walk apartments in Atlanta and the resulting losses, including displacement and property damage.

The defendants denied all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of further litigation.

Sources

1. Claim form
2. Class notice
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement website FAQ page