Just4Veterans Settlement: $750,000 for Veterans Charged VA Claim Fees
Questions about this case?
AI Legal Assistant · free · answers in seconds · general information, not legal advice
Just4Veterans LLC, a Maryland VA disability claims consultancy, settled a class action alleging it charged veterans unlawful fees. The fund is $750,000. The deadline to file a claim was October 5, 2026, and it has passed. The court's final approval hearing is set for October 14, 2026. Veterans who were billed but never paid do not need to do anything — their balance is wiped out if the settlement is approved.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Just4Veterans Lawsuit Alleged
Just4Veterans is a Clarksburg, Maryland-based disability claims consultancy that worked with veterans nationally. The Just4Veterans lawsuit alleges it charged unlawful fees to veterans for help with VA disability claims, in violation of Maryland law and federal rules on who may charge for that work. Capital News Service reported in October 2023 that the company was accused of operating without the required VA accreditation and imposing excessive consulting fees.
According to that report, the lead plaintiff, an Air Force veteran, was charged a fee of more than $7,000 — five times the increase in his monthly disability benefits. The company's contract stated that it did not prepare or present the veteran's claim and that the client would file it himself.
The defendants — Just4Veterans LLC and its owner — deny all wrongdoing and deny that they violated any law. The court never decided who was right.
Case Details
The case is Gallagher, et al. v. Just4Veterans LLC, et al., Case No. C-15-CV-23-003578, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland — a state court, not a federal one. It was filed on September 20, 2023. An amended complaint adding a second named plaintiff followed on May 17, 2024. On February 13, 2025 the court certified a class under Maryland Rule 2-231. The parties signed a settlement agreement dated May 22, 2026, and the court granted preliminary approval. Official documents are on the official settlement website.
Status: Claims Closed, Final Approval Pending
No payment date has been announced. Under the settlement agreement, money goes out only after the court enters a final approval order and the time for any appeal has run out. The administrator is RG/2 Claims Administration LLC (toll-free 844-951-2349, J4VSettlement@rg2claims.com).
Who Is in the Just4Veterans Class Action
The Just4Veterans class action covers veterans who paid or were charged a fee by Just4Veterans LLC in connection with a VA disability claim on or after September 20, 2020. J4V officers, owners, employees and contractors, people who opted out, and court staff are excluded.
If you paid a fee: you needed to file a claim form by October 5, 2026 to get money. The online form required the Unique ID and Password from the email notice.
If you were billed but never paid: you did not need to file anything. If the settlement is approved, any claimed balance is discharged and J4V may not pursue collections or litigation for those fees.
How Much the Settlement Pays
What is left is split pro rata by the amount each claimant paid J4V, and no one receives more than they actually paid. No per-person figure has been published. J4V's own rough estimate in the settlement agreement is that the class includes approximately 2,338 persons, but how many will file valid claims is unknown, so any estimate would be a guess. Non-cash relief: unpaid invoices are forgiven, and J4V will permanently stop accepting new VA-related clients.
Just4Veterans Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
September 20, 2023 — Lawsuit Filed
A veteran files a proposed class action in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, alleging unlawful fees for VA disability claim help.
- 2
May 17, 2024 — Amended Complaint
The complaint is amended to add a second named plaintiff and expand the factual allegations.
- 3
February 13, 2025 — Class Certified
The court certifies a class of all veterans charged a fee by J4V in connection with a VA disability claim.
- 4
May 22, 2026 — Settlement Agreement
The parties sign a $750,000 settlement with fee forgiveness and a permanent stop on new VA-related clients. The court later grants preliminary approval.
- 5
September 3 and October 5, 2026 — Deadlines Close
The opt-out and objection deadline was September 3, 2026. The claim form deadline was October 5, 2026.
- 6
October 14, 2026 — Final Fairness Hearing
The court is scheduled to decide whether to grant final approval, approve the plan of allocation and award attorneys' fees. Payments follow only after final approval and any appeals.
Three Things to Watch For
Veterans are a heavily targeted group, and a closed claim window with checks still to come gives imposters an opening:
“Late claim” offers for a fee
The claim deadline was October 5, 2026. Anyone charging you to “still get in” on the Just4Veterans settlement is not the administrator. Questions about a claim you filed go to RG/2 at 844-951-2349.
Messages asking for your Unique ID or bank details
The real notice came by email with a Unique ID and Password for the official site. A message that asks you to send those credentials, your VA login or your full Social Security number to an unfamiliar address should be checked against the contact details on j4vsettlement.com first.
Another “claim coach” pitch
The case was about paying an unaccredited company for VA claim help. According to the VA, accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives help with claims for free. Before signing a new “coaching” contract, check whether the person is VA-accredited.
Just4Veterans Settlement — Questions Veterans Ask
What is the Just4Veterans lawsuit about?
It alleges that Just4Veterans LLC charged veterans unlawful fees for help with VA disability claims. The case is Gallagher v. Just4Veterans LLC, No. C-15-CV-23-003578, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. The defendants deny wrongdoing and settled to avoid further litigation.
Can I still file a Just4Veterans settlement claim?
No. The deadline to submit a claim form online or by mail was October 5, 2026. If you filed one, you do not need to do anything else; the administrator, RG/2 Claims Administration, handles payment after final approval.
How much will I get?
Unknown. The $750,000 fund, minus court-approved fees and service awards, is divided pro rata by what each claimant paid J4V, capped at the amount you paid. No per-person estimate has been published.
When will payments be sent?
No date is set. The final approval hearing is scheduled for October 14, 2026. Payments go out only after the court grants final approval and the time for appeals expires or any appeal is resolved.
J4V billed me but I never paid. Do I still owe them?
If the settlement receives final approval and you did not opt out, the alleged debt is discharged, J4V waives any right to collect it, and it may not pursue collections or litigation for those fees. You did not need to file a claim form for this.
I paid J4V but never got a notice. What can I do?
Contact the administrator at 844-951-2349 or J4VSettlement@rg2claims.com. The claim deadline has passed, so the administrator and the court decide whether anything can still be done; this page cannot promise that.
Is Just4Veterans still taking clients?
Under the settlement, J4V agreed not to sign or solicit any new clients for VA-related services, and that commitment is permanent. It applies only to the Maryland company named in the case.
Is it legal to charge for help with a VA disability claim?
The VA says its accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives help for free. Accredited attorneys and claims agents usually charge only after VA has decided your initial claim. Our guide to VA disability lawyers explains when paid help makes sense.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.
Related Consumer Brand Lawsuits
Open Class Action Settlements
Settlements still accepting claims, with deadlines
VA Disability Calculator
Estimate your monthly VA compensation by combined rating
Settlement Payout Calculator
How pro rata funds get divided among claimants
Settlement Check Problems
What to do when a settlement payment is late or missing