But Ease, you have to remember how corporate accounting is done, and the "standard" (and logical) mindset typically in play. When these companies settle, they're using their profit dollars - very painful even if only a million (how much product do they have to sell to make a million in profit?). If they decide to fight, they can "expense" the legal costs and delay the outcome - possibly for years - so that the "next guy" (CEO) can suffer the outcome (and the current CEO doesn't have to worry about rips in his/her golden parachute). A lot of factors in play for the "deciders".

And how many times have you been in a meeting with the "big boys", listening to them go off about some "hick-up" one-time bad event that cost $5,000? I recall multiple occasions where I spoke up to point out that they've spent another $5K (salary and O/H) just yacking about it. THAT thought had never even crossed their minds....mindset. To my thinking, the fact that any company settles, for any amount, speaks volumes. Though you'll probably never see it blatantly announced, beyond the monetary aspect, it is admitting defeat and an implication of corporate incompetence.

The only times I recall my employers just "rolling over" always had to do with internal discrimination (sexual harrassment) suits - mostly because the publicity can be so bad. Even then, I recall a couple of good fights if there was any hope of winning in court (which I found out about because both my sister and bro-in-law worked in HR).

Bottom line: Corporations HATE to just give away profit dollars if there is any real hope.

And keep in mind who is giving these CEOs the advice - their legal staff. A good fight justifies their existence and high salary, even if they lose. Advice to "roll over" makes them appear weak, unless their engineering staff advises "we're screwed". And THAT's the other "bottom line", IMO.

So, even if the settlements appear "small" to us, consider all the wrangling within these corporations before they decide to settle. Multiple agendas in play..... And accountable to their BoD and shareholders. When you think through all these things influencing their decision, the decision to settle becomes a bit more "profound".

FWIW,

SGE