Screenwriters Age Discrimination Lawsuit Settled for $70 Million

Posted on January 25, 2010

A settlement has finally been reached in the age discrimination class action lawsuit filed years ago by 165 writers against a number of networks, production studios and talent agencies. The settlement is worth $70 million. The Hollywood Reporter reports that is remains to be seen how much of this money will reach the 165 plaintiffs. Some of the writer plaintiffs joined the lawsuit later than others.

Sources close to the situation calculate that those who joined the class action early are eligible for amounts ranging from $70,000-$140,000, and in some cases more. Those who joined later could get about 40% less, and a minimum amount has been set at $250.
The proposed formula for determining how much each plaintiff gets already is drawing heat, though the details of that formula are still being ironed out. One issue involves how much the latecomers -- those who might have joined the lawsuit just a year ago -- will receive.
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Of the $70 million, $43 million will be used to pay the class members and taxes on their awards, to fund required reserves and to "activities beneficial to the settlement class members." Two-thirds of the settlement will be paid by insurance companies.

Age discrimination in Hollywood is not limited to actresses who are considered over the hill at 30. Writers and other behind the scenes employees have reported numerous instances of age discrimination.