Last year, Apple settled a class action lawsuit over the much-criticized "butterfly" keyboards on its MacBooks from 2015 to 2019. Under the terms of the settlement, Apple agreed to pay a combined $50 million to affected consumers, with eligible parties receiving between $50 and $395 depending on the extent of repairs and the amount needed. [According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila gave final approval to the settlement.

This last hurdle involved the judge's rejection of several complaints from members of a class action lawsuit claiming that the payments were insufficient to pay everyone affected by the butterfly keyboard issue.

For example, there was no compensation for those who had problems with their keyboards but did not seek repairs, and some pointed out that the interim compensation amount of $125 was not sufficient when the cost of replacing the entire keyboard could be more than double that.

However, these points were ultimately rejected by the judge. The possibility that a better settlement could have been reached, or that the benefits provided under the settlement would not "make class members whole," Davila wrote in his decision, "is not a sufficient basis for denying approval.

"Indeed, the settlement provides no compensation for those who experience keyboard problems and fail to get their keyboards repaired," the order continues.

"While not everyone who is alleged to have been harmed will receive compensation, the settlement will benefit a significant number of individuals," the order adds.

This is true: according to the order, more than 86,000 claims for compensation have been filed, but it is worth noting that attorneys will also take a substantial share, with $15,000,000 requested for attorney fees.

While this amount is "5% above the Ninth Circuit's 25% standard for attorneys' fees in class actions," the success of the outcome ("other product defect cases involving Apple have paid significantly less," the order explains), the complexity and risk associated with product liability claims, the fact that attorneys extenuating circumstances, such as working on a contingency fee basis.

If you were affected but did not file a claim, unfortunately it is too late; the application process closed in March. If you applied and were accepted, you should receive the money soon, but the date has not yet been determined.

Nevertheless, attorneys for Girard Sharp and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson Smith stated that they are "looking forward to getting the money to our clients."