Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payout & Settlement Amounts

Key Takeaways

  • Settlement amounts may range from $25,000 for minor cases to over $1 million for those involving psychiatric hospitalization, suicide attempts, or permanent psychological harm from gaming addiction.

  • Case value depends on harm severity, age at addiction onset, medical diagnosis from licensed providers, and evidence quality including treatment records and in-game purchase histories.

  • Over 100 lawsuits are consolidated in California's JCCP No. 5363 with a federal MDL consolidation denied as of December 10th, 2025, though no settlements have been reached as litigation remains in pretrial stages.

Projected Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payout Amounts

Video game addiction lawsuit payout amounts are projected to range from $25,000 to over $350,000 based on estimates from legal experts, though no settlements have been finalized as the litigation against gaming companies remains in its early stages.

Video game companies accused in current lawsuits include Epic Games (Fortnite), Roblox Corporation, Microsoft (Minecraft), and Activision Blizzard for allegedly designing games with intentionally addictive features that harm minors’ mental health and development.

Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payout and Settlement Amounts; Potential Settlement Amounts of a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit; Legal Basis for Video Game Addiction Lawsuits; Allegations Against Video Game Companies; Health Impacts of Video Game Addiction; Eligibility Criteria to File a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit; Qualifying Factors for Potential Claimants; Types of Compensable Damages; Calculating Potential Compensation; Video Game Addiction Lawsuits and Their Financial Outcomes; Types of Damages Claimed in Gaming Addiction Cases; Specific Compensation Categories in Gaming Addiction Cases; How Settlement Values Are Calculated in Gaming Litigation; Notable Video Game Addiction Settlements and Verdicts; Building a Strong Case for Maximum Settlement Value; How Can A Video Game Addiction Attorney from TruLaw Help You

Several factors will influence individual compensation amounts, including the duration and severity of gaming addiction, age at the onset of addictive behaviors, documented mental health diagnoses such as anxiety or depression, and evidence of financial exploitation through in-game purchases.

Cases involving younger children who developed internet gaming disorder face longer-term developmental impacts and educational disruption, which may command higher settlement values.

TruLaw partners with video game addiction litigation leaders to provide clients with the legal resources and support necessary for a successful outcome.

If you or a loved one has developed gaming addiction and suffered mental health consequences from playing video games, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit today.

Please be advised that any projected or estimated settlement amounts mentioned on this page are general estimations and are not guaranteed.

These figures are based on opinions of legal experts based on the nature of the injuries and estimated costs of damages.

Estimated Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Legal experts have developed tiered projections for video game addiction lawsuit settlement amounts based on documented harm severity and precedent from comparable addiction litigation.

While courts have not yet issued verdicts or approved global settlements, attorneys draw from established frameworks in product liability and behavioral addiction claims to estimate potential compensation.

Research indicates that the worldwide prevalence of gaming disorder is approximately 3.05%, supporting the severity-based classification approach used in current litigation.

These projections help families gauge potential recovery while recognizing that individual results depend on specific circumstances.

Settlement Projections by Case Severity

Attorneys evaluating video game addiction claims categorize cases into tiers based on documented addiction severity and the resulting harm experienced by plaintiffs.

This tiered approach helps families anticipate potential compensation ranges while accounting for the wide variation in individual circumstances.

Attorneys project the following settlement tiers based on case severity:

  • Lower severity cases ($25,000–$90,000): These claims involve minor disruption including emotional distress, short-term social withdrawal, or mild academic decline with measurable but less catastrophic mental health impact. Plaintiffs in this tier may have limited medical documentation or shorter addiction durations.
  • Moderate severity cases ($100,000–$250,000): Plaintiffs in this tier typically demonstrate long-term anxiety, depression, disrupted education or employment, clinical diagnoses from licensed providers, and documented treatment history spanning months or years of therapeutic intervention.
  • High severity cases ($250,000–$350,000+): Cases involving suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalization, permanent disability, or total life disruption requiring extensive ongoing care fall within this range. These claims feature substantial medical records and clear causation evidence.
  • Extreme cases ($500,000–$1 million+): The highest projected settlement amounts apply to claims with life-altering consequences, extensive documented harm, multiple hospitalizations, and long-term developmental impacts in minors whose futures have been permanently affected.

Legal experts derive these projections from comparable addiction litigation including social media addiction lawsuits and product liability cases, adapting established valuation methodologies to address the unique characteristics of gaming addiction claims.

Please be advised that any projected or estimated settlement amounts mentioned on this page are general estimations and are not guaranteed.

These figures are based on opinions of legal experts based on the nature of the injuries and estimated costs of damages.

They are meant to provide a general idea of what settlement ranges could look like and should not be taken as definitive expectations for your case.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation.

Why No Standardized Settlement Amounts Exist Yet

Video game addiction litigation remains in its early stages, with over 100 cases consolidated in California under JCCP No. 5363 but no verdicts or global settlements reached as of late 2025.

Several factors explain why standardized settlement amounts have not yet emerged in video game addiction cases within this developing area of law.

Several factors explain why standardized settlement precedents have not yet emerged:

  • Video game addiction litigation is proceeding through pretrial stages with discovery ongoing and no bellwether trials yet scheduled to test case theories before juries. These initial trials will establish how courts view gaming company liability.
  • The Epic Games FTC settlement of $245 million for dark patterns provides regulatory precedent but addressed billing practices rather than addiction claims specifically. Epic Games paid $520 million total in FTC settlements, including $275 million for COPPA violations.
  • Individual case values will depend heavily on documented evidence, defendant conduct, and jury perceptions of gaming company culpability for designing products that intentionally exploit psychological vulnerabilities in young players.
  • A federal MDL hearing on December 10th, 2025 denied the consolidation of federal cases involving Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox.

Legal experts anticipate clearer settlement patterns emerging as cases advance through discovery and initial trials establish precedent for valuing gaming addiction claims.

If you or someone you love has suffered severe mental health problems or other harm after using video games, TruLaw can help you explore your legal options.

Contact us using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a video game addiction lawsuit today.

Factors That Affect Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payout Amounts

Settlement values in gaming addiction cases depend on multiple interconnected factors that attorneys evaluate when projecting case value.

The American Psychiatric Association identifies Internet Gaming Disorder as a condition that endangers academic and job functioning due to excessive gaming time, and this clinical framework guides how lawyers assess harm.

Stronger documentation and more severe impacts generally correlate with higher potential compensation.

Severity and Duration of Addiction

The severity and timeline of a plaintiff’s gaming addiction directly impact case valuation, with attorneys assessing how deeply the addiction affected the individual’s life and functioning.

Cases involving years of excessive gaming habits with documented psychological treatment command higher compensation than claims based on short-term issues.

Case assessments typically evaluate the following severity indicators:

  • Diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder under DSM-5 criteria, which requires meeting five of nine symptoms over a 12-month period including preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, and failed attempts to control gaming behavior
  • Hospitalization or residential treatment for gaming-related mental health conditions, which demonstrates the addiction reached a level requiring intensive clinical intervention
  • Duration of addiction impacts damage calculations, as longer addiction periods typically result in more extensive harm requiring greater compensation to address accumulated losses

The ICD-11 Gaming Disorder classification for problematic online gaming similarly requires impaired control, increasing priority given to gaming, and continuation despite negative consequences over at least 12 months.

Age at Addiction Onset

A plaintiff’s age when gaming addiction developed affects case valuation, with younger plaintiffs often receiving higher multipliers due to developmental vulnerability.

The prefrontal cortex responsible for judgment and impulse control continues developing until approximately age 25-30, making adolescents particularly susceptible to addictive game design.

Younger plaintiffs often receive higher multipliers due to factors such as:

  • Younger plaintiffs, particularly those who began gaming before age 12, face stronger arguments about exploitation of psychological vulnerabilities in developing brains
  • Research indicates that adolescents aged 12-18 demonstrate gaming disorder prevalence rates of 8.5% with symptoms including aggressive behavior, while young adults between 15-34 show even higher rates at 10.4%, supporting the focus on younger populations in current litigation.
  • Minors who experienced educational disruption, social development delays, or required specialized schooling accommodations such as 504 plans or IEP modifications strengthen case value

Neuroimaging studies demonstrate that prefrontal brain areas responsible for cognitive control show alterations in adolescents with problematic gaming patterns.

Documentation and Evidence Quality

The quality and comprehensiveness of documentation directly influences case valuation, with well-documented claims receiving higher settlement projections than those lacking medical records or concrete evidence of harm.

Research shows that gaming disorder prevalence has increased over recent years, making thorough documentation increasingly valuable as litigation expands.

The following evidence types carry substantial weight in case valuation:

  • Medical records showing formal diagnosis from licensed mental health providers carry substantial weight in establishing both the existence and severity of gaming-related conditions
  • Treatment records documenting therapy, counseling, medication, or hospitalization for addiction-related conditions establish economic damages baseline and demonstrate the level of care required
  • Academic records showing grade decline, school disciplinary issues, or dropout strengthen causation arguments by connecting gaming behavior to measurable life disruption
  • In-game purchase records and screen time data help prove the extent of video game usage and financial exploitation by addictive monetization features

Comprehensive documentation supports higher multiplier calculations by providing concrete evidence for both economic and non-economic damage claims.

If your child has experienced academic decline, mental health struggles, or behavioral changes linked to excessive gaming, TruLaw can help evaluate your potential claim.

Use the chat on this page for a free instant case evaluation to determine whether you qualify to pursue a video game addiction lawsuit.

Types of Damages Recoverable in Video Game Addiction Lawsuits

Compensation in gaming addiction litigation covers multiple areas of harm, from direct financial losses to emotional suffering and potential punitive awards against defendants.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warns that gaming companies frequently violate consumer protection laws by using underhanded tactics to encourage spending, leading to unexpected charges that contribute to economic damages claims.

Attorneys work to identify all applicable damage categories to pursue full compensation for affected families, recognizing that gaming addiction impacts victims across financial, emotional, and developmental dimensions.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate plaintiffs for measurable financial losses resulting from gaming addiction, providing concrete dollar amounts based on documented expenses and lost income.

The CFPB estimates that 45.7 million children in the U.S. play video games, representing over 80% of children between ages 5 and 18, many of whom face financial exploitation through addictive monetization systems.

Families may recover compensation across several economic damage categories:

  • Medical expenses including therapy, counseling, psychiatric treatment, medication costs, and hospitalization for addiction-related conditions, with residential treatment programs costing $40,000 or more for 30-day stays
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity for adults whose addiction impacted employment, or future earning potential for minors whose education was disrupted by compulsive gaming behavior
  • Recovery of excessive in-game purchases and microtransactions, with over 8% of parents reporting children spending more than $100 monthly on in-app purchases and over 40% reporting unauthorized transactions

Documenting these expenses thoroughly strengthens the economic foundation upon which attorneys calculate total case value.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate plaintiffs for intangible harms that lack specific dollar values but cause genuine suffering and life disruption.

The World Health Organization acknowledges that gaming disorder affects a proportion of players who should remain alert to the amount of time spent gaming, validating the psychological harm underlying these claims.

Compensation for intangible harms may address the following:

  • Pain and suffering compensation for psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma caused by addiction and its consequences on daily functioning
  • Loss of quality of life damages for social isolation, missed developmental milestones, damaged relationships with family and peers, and diminished enjoyment of previously valued activities
  • Family disruption damages recognizing the toll on parents, siblings, and household dynamics when managing a child’s gaming addiction over months or years

Attorneys typically apply multipliers of 1.5x to 4x documented economic damages when calculating non-economic losses, with higher multipliers for cases involving severe psychological harm or particularly egregious defendant conduct.

Punitive Damages Potential

Punitive damages may apply when evidence demonstrates that gaming companies knew their design features caused addiction but continued targeting vulnerable populations, particularly minors.

The FTC found that Epic Games deployed dark patterns aimed at getting consumers of all ages to make unintended purchases through counterintuitive and confusing button configurations.

Courts may award punitive damages when evidence demonstrates:

  • Evidence showing gaming companies knew their design features caused addiction but continued targeting vulnerable populations without meaningful warnings or parental controls
  • Internal company documents revealing awareness of addictive mechanics or intentional exploitation of minors through psychological manipulation techniques
  • Evidence that companies hired behavioral psychologists and neuroscientists specifically to make games as addictive as possible while maximizing monetization
  • Epic Games received over one million parental complaints about unwanted charges, yet allegedly made refund processes difficult while keeping purchases easy

Punitive damage potential creates settlement pressure on defendants, often driving higher compensation offers to avoid jury trials where such evidence could produce substantial awards.

If your family has suffered financial losses, emotional harm, or other damages due to your child’s gaming addiction, TruLaw is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Use the chat on this page to receive a free case evaluation and find out if you qualify to file a gaming addiction lawsuit.

Video Game Companies and Games Named in Addiction Lawsuits

Major gaming industry defendants face addiction litigation targeting companies across the spectrum, from battle royale developers to sandbox game creators.

The video game manufacturers involved in lawsuits consolidated under JCCP No. 5363 include Epic Games, Microsoft, Activision, and other major gaming companies whose products allegedly caused harm to minors.

Specific games are named based on allegations of addictive game mechanics that exploit psychological vulnerabilities in players, particularly children and adolescents whose brains remain in development.

Major Defendant Companies

Major video game companies facing addiction litigation range from industry giants to platform operators, with lawsuits alleging these defendants knowingly designed products to optimize engagement regardless of harm to users.

The FTC secured agreements requiring Epic Games to pay $520 million in relief over allegations related to Fortnite, establishing regulatory precedent for video game industry accountability.

Gaming companies currently facing addiction litigation include:

  • Epic Games (Fortnite, Rocket League): Accused of using dopamine-driven retention tactics, loot boxes, and manipulative monetization strategies. Epic already paid $245 million in FTC settlements for dark patterns and $275 million for COPPA violations targeting children.
  • Roblox Corporation (Roblox): Targeted for in-game economy exploitation through its Robux virtual currency system, microtransaction systems aimed at children, and delayed implementation of safety controls. Exploitation cases on the platform jumped from 675 in 2019 to over 24,000 by 2024.
  • Microsoft/Mojang (Minecraft): Alleged addictive open-world design targeting young players with endless engagement loops that encourage extended gaming sessions without natural stopping points.
  • Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty, Overwatch, World of Warcraft): Named for battle passes, progression systems, loot boxes, and microtransactions creating compulsive engagement cycles across multiple popular titles.

Additional defendants include Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Apple, Google, Rockstar Games, and 2K Games, with at least 18 Roblox lawsuits added to JCCP coordination in July 2025.

Specific Games and Addictive Features Alleged

Lawsuits identify specific game mechanics that plaintiffs allege encourage compulsive play and spending behaviors in vulnerable players.

The CFPB warns that many games use gambling-like design tricks to hide odds and encourage compulsive spending, including activities like skin betting and token wagering.

Lawsuits target the following games and their specific addictive mechanics:

  • Fortnite: Battle pass systems with time-limited rewards creating urgency, seasonal content triggering fear of missing out, social pressure mechanics from multiplayer features, and random reward distribution mimicking gambling reinforcement schedules
  • Roblox: Virtual currency (Robux) system encouraging continuous spending through user-generated content creating endless engagement possibilities, social features promoting constant connection with friends in the gaming world, and algorithms monitoring player behavior
  • Call of Duty: Unlock progression systems rewarding extended play through feedback loops providing constant sense of advancement, multiplayer ranking systems creating competitive pressure to continue playing
  • The Grand Theft Auto series features open-world mechanics enabling unlimited play sessions without natural endpoints, online multiplayer with microtransaction-heavy economy encouraging ongoing spending

These addictive gameplay mechanics employ variable ratio reinforcement schedules similar to gambling, FOMO-inducing seasonal content, daily login bonuses, and algorithms that monitor player behavior to optimize engagement and spending.

Plaintiffs allege video game developers deliberately engineered these features knowing they would cause addictive behavior in susceptible populations.

If your family has been affected by games like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, or Call of Duty, TruLaw can help you determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim.

Contact us using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and learn whether your situation qualifies for a video game addiction lawsuit.

How Video Game Addiction Settlement Values Are Calculated

Attorneys use established methodologies to calculate potential settlement values in gaming addiction cases, drawing from personal injury and addiction litigation frameworks adapted for this emerging area of law.

Research confirms that internet gaming addiction shares similarities with other addictions at the molecular, neurocircuitry, and behavioral levels, supporting the application of comparable valuation approaches.

Calculations consider both documented losses and multiplier approaches for non-economic harm, with attorneys building comprehensive damage assessments rather than relying on any average settlement amount given each family’s specific circumstances.

Settlement Calculation Methodologies

Attorneys employ several valuation methodologies when projecting settlement amounts for gaming addiction claims, adapting proven approaches from comparable litigation to address this emerging area of law.

Studies confirm that video game addiction leads to brain changes similar to substance addiction and gambling, supporting the use of established addiction litigation frameworks in calculating damages for affected families.

Attorneys rely on several valuation approaches when projecting settlement amounts:

  • Pain and suffering multiplier: Documented economic losses are multiplied by factors between 1.5x and 4x based on addiction severity, duration, and the extent of life disruption experienced by the plaintiff and their family
  • Vulnerable population multiplier: Higher multiplier increases are applied to teenage and young adult plaintiffs due to long-term developmental impacts and future opportunity costs that extend across their lifetimes
  • Evidence strength factor: Cases with robust documentation, clear causation between gaming and harm, and internal company documents showing awareness of addictive design receive higher valuations from attorneys
  • Comparative analysis: Attorneys reference similar addiction litigation including the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement ($206 billion), opioid settlements ($50+ billion total), and class action lawsuit precedents to establish baseline expectations for industry-wide accountability

The Epic Games $520 million FTC settlement provides regulatory precedent demonstrating that gaming companies can face substantial financial consequences for exploitative practices targeting consumers and their children.

Building Case Value Through Strategic Documentation

Strategic documentation strengthens case value by providing concrete evidence that supports higher multiplier calculations and demonstrates the full scope of harm experienced.

The main treatment options for video game addiction include cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and family counseling, all of which generate records that support damage claims when properly compiled.

Case value increases when families compile the following documentation and expert testimony:

  • Collecting comprehensive medical records establishes treatment costs and validates diagnosis of gaming-related conditions through formal documentation from licensed healthcare providers who treated the plaintiff
  • Expert testimony from psychologists, addiction specialists, neurologists, and family therapists provides professional validation of impacts and supports appropriate compensation levels through clinical expertise and courtroom credibility
  • Game design expert analysis demonstrates how specific mechanics in named games caused compulsive gaming habits in the individual plaintiff by comparing features against known addictive design patterns used across the industry
  • Financial records showing in-game purchases, lost income from employment disruption, and educational costs create clear economic damage baselines upon which attorneys apply multiplier calculations for total compensation

Expert witnesses in gaming litigation include addiction psychiatrists, neurologists specializing in adolescent brain development, behavioral economists, educational impact specialists, and vocational rehabilitation experts who can project future earning losses.

Documentation strategies focus on obtaining complete medical records, gaming platform account data showing usage patterns, financial transaction histories from app stores, academic transcripts demonstrating performance decline, and sworn declarations from family members and teachers describing behavioral changes they observed over time.

Comprehensive documentation packages allow attorneys to pursue maximum compensation by substantiating both the economic losses and the non-economic suffering that families have experienced as a result of gaming addiction.

Current Video Game Addiction Litigation Status and Timeline

Video game addiction litigation has progressed steadily through 2025, with cases consolidated at both the state and federal levels as courts establish procedures for managing this growing wave of claims.

The Judicial Council of California approved consolidation of all video game addiction lawsuits filed in the state into JCCP No. 5363 on May 7, 2025, creating a coordinated proceeding for efficient case management.

While litigation remains ongoing with no settlements finalized, the volume of cases and regulatory attention signals growing momentum for plaintiffs seeking accountability from gaming companies.

California JCCP Consolidation

California’s coordinated proceeding brings together video game addiction lawsuits from across the state under unified judicial oversight, streamlining pretrial proceedings while preserving individual case rights.

JCCP No. 5363 specifically addresses lawsuits alleging that developers made certain video games addictive by design, particularly for minors whose developing brains are vulnerable to manipulation.

The California JCCP consolidation encompasses the following key developments:

  • Over 100 video game addiction lawsuits have been consolidated under JCCP No. 5363 in Los Angeles Superior Court before Judge Samantha P. Jessner, with additional cases expected to join as litigation awareness grows
  • The coordinated proceeding streamlines pretrial proceedings including discovery, expert witness coordination, and case management across claims with overlapping legal and factual issues against common defendants
  • Cases allege gaming companies used psychological tactics, patented algorithms, and manipulative monetization systems without providing meaningful parental controls or addiction warnings to protect vulnerable users
  • At least 18 additional Roblox lawsuits were added to JCCP coordination in July 2025, demonstrating continued case filings against major gaming platforms

No trial dates have been set yet as pretrial proceedings including discovery continue.

The consolidation mirrors federal MDL structure but operates within California’s judicial system, allowing efficient coordination while cases filed in Los Angeles, Alameda, Riverside, Fresno, and other California counties proceed together.

Federal MDL Developments and Key Case Updates

Federal multidistrict litigation efforts continue advancing alongside state proceedings, with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation considering whether to consolidate cases involving major gaming titles.

A JPML hearing on December 10th, 2025 in Austin, Texas denied a federal consolidation of video game addiction lawsuits involving Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox.

Recent federal case developments highlight several important milestones:

  • The December 2025 JPML hearing for MDL No. 3168 (filed September 25, 2025) denied the consolidation of federal cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for coordinated pretrial proceedings
  • A February 2025 ruling sent Illinois mother Jaclyn Angelilli’s case to arbitration based on terms of service agreements, though she retains the ability to pursue other legal avenues if arbitration proves unsuccessful
  • An April 2025 federal court dismissal of claims against Google, Apple, and Roblox in one case does not end broader litigation, as claims against Epic Games, Activision, and other defendants remain pending in multiple jurisdictions
  • The June 2024 JPML denial of an earlier broader MDL request (MDL No. 3109) cited too many different games and defendants, prompting the narrower gateway games approach in the current petition

Individual lawsuits continue to be filed nationwide while consolidation efforts proceed, with families able to join future MDL proceedings if approved.

Attorneys anticipate that bellwether trials, once scheduled, will provide clearer guidance on case values and settlement expectations.

As video game addiction litigation moves forward, families affected by predatory gaming practices have a growing opportunity to hold gaming companies accountable through TruLaw.

Use the chat on this page for a free instant case evaluation to see if you qualify to file a video game addiction claim.

Eligibility Requirements for Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payouts

Families pursuing video game addiction claims must meet specific qualification criteria involving age requirements, documented gaming behavior, and evidence of resulting harm.

The World Health Organization notes that gaming disorder affects only a small proportion of people who engage in digital or video gaming activities, and litigation eligibility reflects this focus on individuals who experienced genuine addiction and measurable consequences.

Consulting with an attorney helps determine whether specific circumstances meet the threshold for legal action based on current case criteria.

Age and Gaming History Requirements

Age and gaming history form the foundation of eligibility assessment, with lawsuits targeting plaintiffs whose addiction developed during developmentally vulnerable periods.

Research indicates that adolescents aged 12-18 demonstrate gaming disorder prevalence rates of 8.5% with symptoms including aggressive behavior, while young adults between 15-34 show even higher rates at 10.4%, supporting the focus on younger populations in current litigation.

Plaintiffs must typically meet the following age and gaming history criteria:

  • Plaintiffs typically must be 25 years or younger when addiction developed, or parents filing on behalf of minor children born between 1994 and 2021, with specific date ranges varying by game and defendant
  • Gaming history requirements generally include playing specific named games for extended periods, typically two or more hours daily for 12 or more months, demonstrating sustained compulsive engagement
  • The addiction must have developed during formative years when young gamers’ brains were more vulnerable to behavioral manipulation, particularly before the prefrontal cortex reached full maturity around age 25
  • Some lawsuits have specific platform requirements depending on the games involved, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile devices where the addictive games were accessed

Eligibility is assessed based on when addiction symptoms first appeared rather than the plaintiff’s current age, allowing adults who developed gaming addiction as children or teenagers to pursue claims for harm that occurred years earlier.

Medical and Behavioral Documentation Needed

Documentation requirements ensure that claims involve genuine cases of gaming addiction with measurable harm rather than ordinary gaming behavior.

The DSM-5 indicates Internet Gaming Disorder requires support of at least five core symptoms from nine possible criteria over a 12-month period, establishing clinical standards that guide litigation eligibility assessment.

Eligibility assessment requires documentation across these categories:

  • Diagnosis from a licensed medical provider of conditions including Internet Gaming Disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD exacerbation, or related mental health issues with documented connection to gaming behavior
  • Evidence of treatment such as therapy sessions, counseling appointments, psychiatric care, medication prescriptions, or hospitalization for gaming-related conditions demonstrating the severity of addiction
  • Behavioral indicators including academic decline shown through transcripts, social withdrawal observed by family members, sleep disturbances, aggressive outbursts sometimes called “gamer rage,” or neglect of personal hygiene and responsibilities
  • Financial records showing excessive in-game purchases, microtransactions, or loot box spending that demonstrates exploitation by addictive monetization features designed to encourage compulsive spending

The nine DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder include preoccupation with gaming, withdrawal symptoms when gaming stops, tolerance requiring increased gaming time, unsuccessful attempts to control gaming, loss of interest in other activities, continued excessive use despite problems, deception about gaming extent, gaming to escape negative moods, and jeopardizing relationships or opportunities.

Meeting five or more criteria over 12 months supports a formal diagnosis that strengthens case eligibility.

If you believe your child meets these eligibility criteria, TruLaw can provide a free case evaluation to assess your potential claim.

Contact us using the chat on this page to receive an instant evaluation and determine whether you qualify to pursue a video game addiction lawsuit today.

Steps to Pursue Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Compensation

Families pursuing a video game lawsuit follow a structured process from initial consultation through case resolution, with experienced attorneys handling the legal work at each stage.

The American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization have both recognized problems related to video games as a potentially diagnosable mental disorder, providing the medical-legal framework that supports these claims.

Seeking compensation involves consultation, evidence gathering, case filing, and either settlement negotiation or trial, with attorneys guiding families through each stage while managing procedural requirements.

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

The consultation and evaluation process allows families to share their experience and receive professional assessment of potential claim viability without financial risk.

Research indicates that gaming is a popular form of entertainment with 43% of adults and 90% of teenagers in the United States reporting playing video games, though only a fraction develop the addiction-level harm that supports legal claims.

The consultation and evaluation process follows these steps:

  • Free case evaluations allow families to share their experience with gaming addiction and receive immediate feedback on whether their circumstances meet criteria for pursuing legal action against gaming companies
  • Attorneys review gaming history including when plaintiffs began playing video games, specific games played and duration of use, medical records documenting diagnoses and treatment, and evidence of harm to assess whether criteria for legal action are met
  • If eligible, lawyers explain the litigation process in detail, provide realistic timeline expectations, and project potential case value based on the specific circumstances, documented harm, and strength of available evidence
  • Many attorneys work on contingency fee arrangements, meaning families pay nothing upfront for legal representation and only pay legal fees if compensation is successfully recovered through settlement or verdict

The contingency fee structure removes financial barriers that might otherwise prevent families from pursuing valid claims, allowing access to experienced legal representation regardless of current financial circumstances.

Case Filing Through Resolution

The litigation process from filing through resolution involves multiple stages, with attorneys managing procedural requirements while families focus on providing documentation and testimony as needed.

The American Psychiatric Association included Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-5 research appendix, and well-designed clinical research continues advancing the evidentiary foundation supporting these cases.

The litigation process progresses through the following stages:

  • Attorneys draft and file formal complaints identifying defendants, outlining the harm suffered by the plaintiff, establishing legal theories explaining why gaming companies bear responsibility, and specifying damages sought
  • The discovery phase allows both parties to exchange information, with plaintiffs’ attorneys seeking internal company documents about addictive design awareness, user engagement data, and communications regarding harm to players
  • Settlement negotiations may occur throughout the litigation process, with defendants potentially offering compensation to avoid prolonged litigation costs, negative publicity, and the risk of larger jury verdicts at trial
  • If settlement cannot be reached on acceptable terms, cases proceed to trial where a judge or jury decides the outcome and awards damages if defendants are found liable for causing the plaintiff’s harm

The timeline for video game addiction lawsuits typically ranges from two to five or more years depending on case trajectory, discovery challenges, and whether cases settle or proceed through trial.

JCCP consolidation and potential MDL formation streamline discovery across multiple plaintiffs, while bellwether trials may be scheduled to test case theories before broader settlement negotiations occur.

TruLaw and its network of litigation partners guide families through every step of the video game addiction lawsuit process, from initial evaluation through final resolution.

How Can A Video Game Addiction Attorney from TruLaw Help You?

Our Video Game Addiction attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a Video Game Addiction lawsuit.

With extensive experience in product liability cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and mental health professionals to prove how video games with deliberately addictive features caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for mental health treatment expenses, academic and career setbacks, family relationship damages, and other losses resulting from your video game addiction injuries.

We understand the psychological and social toll that Video Game Addiction issues have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead Video Game Addiction Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead Video Game Addiction attorney:

  • Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring a Video Game Addiction lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis – with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one experienced addiction, depression, sleep disorders, social isolation, physical health issues, or other problems from excessive video game use, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Video Game Addiction lawsuit today.

TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the Video Game Addiction Lawsuit

Video game addiction lawsuits are being filed by individuals and families across the country who suffered mental health injuries and addiction from addictive video games designed with manipulative features.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the video game addiction lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your video game addiction lawsuit include:

  • If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The video game addiction lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
  • Expertise: We have decades of experience handling consumer protection cases similar to the video game addiction lawsuit.
  • Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one suffered from video game addiction or related mental health problems, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the video game addiction lawsuit today.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Legal experts project settlement amounts ranging from $25,000–$90,000 for minor cases up to $500,000–$1 million or more for extreme cases involving hospitalization or suicide attempts.

    Moderate cases with documented treatment history and clinical diagnoses typically fall between $100,000–$250,000, while high severity cases involving psychiatric hospitalization may reach $250,000–$350,000 or higher.

    No settlements have finalized yet as litigation remains in early stages, and individual results depend on documented harm quality.

    Please be advised that any projected or estimated settlement amounts mentioned on this page are general estimations and are not guaranteed.

    These figures are based on opinions of legal experts based on the nature of the injuries and estimated costs of damages.

    They are meant to provide a general idea of what settlement ranges could look like and should not be taken as definitive expectations for your case.

    Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation.

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Jessica Paluch-Hoerman

Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.

TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

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2K Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Apex Legends Addiction Lawsuit
Call of Duty Addiction Lawsuit
Counter-Strike Video Game Addiction Lawsuit
EA Games Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit
Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit
League of Legends Lawsuit
Microsoft Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
NBA 2K Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Nintendo Switch Addiction Lawsuit
Overwatch Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Rainbow Six Siege Addiction Lawsuit
Red Dead Redemption 2 Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Roblox Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Rocket League Addiction Lawsuit
Teamfight Tactics Lawsuit for Video Game Addiction
Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Payout & Settlement Amounts
Video Game Lawsuit
World of Warcraft Lawsuit | WoW Lawsuit for Addiction

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