Monterey County Jail $2.47M Class Action Settlement

Individuals incarcerated as an adult at Monterey County Jail at any time between May 27, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2025, may be eligible to submit a claim to receive an estimated $110 or more from a class action settlement.

California Forensic Medical Group Inc. agreed to pay $2.47 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it violated court orders regarding medical, mental health and dental care to people incarcerated at Monterey County Jail. This settlement compensates eligible individuals for CFMG’s contempt of court related to minimum standards of care at the jail.

The settlement does not cover individual medical injuries or health issue claims.

Who can file a claim for a settlement payout?

Class members are adult individuals who were incarcerated at Monterey County Jail at any time between May 27, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2025. The class includes both current and former inmates.

How much will the settlement payments be?

• Pro rata cash payment: Class members can submit a claim to receive a pro rata cash payment estimated at a minimum of $110. The settlement administrator will determine the payment amount by the total number of valid claims filed and the length of each claimant’s incarceration.
• Claimants who were incarcerated for 10 days or less during the settlement period will receive the minimum payment.
• Claimants who were incarcerated for more than 10 days will receive the minimum payment plus an additional amount for each day over 10 days.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, claimants can file a claim online or print the PDF claim form to complete and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Hernandez v. County of Monterey, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391

Individuals who are currently incarcerated may be able to submit a claim form on their tablet or request a paper claim form from custody staff.

Each housing unit will collect the paper claim forms. Inmates who are able to submit a claim online do not need to submit a paper form.

The claim deadline is April 20, 2026.

Required claim information

Class members must provide one or more of the following details on the claim form:

• Booking number
• Year of most recent release from Monterey County Jail
• Approximate number of days incarcerated at the Monterey County Jail between May 27, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Currently incarcerated inmates who wish to designate another person to receive their settlement funds must provide the designated payee's name and address.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will mail paper checks to the address the class member provides on the claim form.

$2.47 million settlement fund breakdown

The $2,470,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Estimated at $112,094
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds

California Forensic Medical Group Inc. will pay attorneys' fees and expenses, along with any award to the class representatives, separately from the settlement fund.

Important dates

• Final approval hearing: March 26, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: April 20, 2026

When is the Hernandez v. County of Monterey payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments after the final approval hearing and once the settlement administrator reviews and approved all claims.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The court found California Forensic Medical Group Inc., the health care provider at Monterey County Jail, in contempt for failing to comply with court orders regarding the provision of medical, mental health and dental care to inmates. The court determined CFMG violated minimum standards of care, leading to the settlement to compensate affected individuals.

The settlement resolves CFMG’s liability for contempt but does not address individual medical claims or injuries.

Sources

1. Official settlement website
2. Class notice
3. Settlement claim form