fisher_house-photo.jpgPaying it forward. That’s what a group of veterans is doing with a $20 million class-action settlement from the Department of Veterans Affairs over a massive identity-theft suit.

They’re donating about $13 million to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation, two charities that help families of fallen and wounded troops.

“When I first heard about it, it just really knocked me down. It’s indicative of the kind of men and women they are,” said Fisher House CEO Ken Fisher.

Attorneys for different groups of veterans joined together to file the lawsuit alleging violations of the Privacy Act stemming from the May 3, 2006, theft of computer equipment from a Veterans Administration employee which reportedly contained personal information.

The $20 million settlement will fund payments for actual damages incurred by veterans, such as physical symptoms of emotional distress or expenses incurred for credit monitoring as a result of the laptop theft.

“This is a very positive result,” said Douglas J. Rosinski, an attorney representing the veterans groups. “A lot of hard work went into finding a resolution that all the parties could be proud to say they were a part of bringing about.”

(READ more about the charitable donation at NY Daily News)

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