Court Grants Motion Preliminary Approval of $5 Million Settlement HSSK Secured for Former Stone Academy Students
01/15/2025Settlement Brings Relief to Nearly 1,000 Affected Nursing Students
The Waterbury Superior Court granted preliminary approval of the $5 million settlement the HSSK team led by Partner David Slossberg successfully negotiated in the high-profile class action lawsuit. This settlement represents a significant step toward justice for nearly 1,000 former Stone Academy students. The school, which abruptly closed in 2023 after nearly 150 years of operation, left these students stranded without their nursing degrees and recourse for tuition and fees already paid.
News of the settlement garnered widespread attention from local and national media outlets, including Law360, Connecticut Law Tribune, CT Insider, CT Mirror, WFSB, WVIT, and WTNH News 8. These outlets have extensively covered the developments, underscoring the significance of this landmark settlement.
Details of the Settlement
The $5 million settlement is structured to provide financial relief to the affected students. Funds will be distributed based on a formula that considers factors such as the percentage of the nursing program completed by each student. Additionally, the settlement includes provisions for remedial education funding to help students transition into other academic programs, and the state has committed $150,000 to assist with exit exam preparation.
David Slossberg shared with the CT Law Tribune, "We have eight named plaintiffs, and they have been involved with this process at every step. They’ve worked closely with us to craft a meaningful remedy, and there’s a real sense of relief now that we're nearing finality."
Background on the Case
The class action lawsuit was filed after Stone Academy closed its doors unexpectedly in 2023, affecting nearly 1,000 students who were left without the education and credentials they had been promised. HSSK’s legal team, including attorneys Timothy Cowan and Erica Nolan, represented the students in their pursuit of justice and compensation.
For more details on the settlement, please refer to the coverage from Law360, Connecticut Law Tribune, and other major media outlets.