Alternately, if a plaintiff settles with one of several defendants, he or she can file a nonsuit as to that one.

But the plaintiff in that case, Elizabeth Hishon, settled out of court before trial.

An attorney for the trucker said the plaintiff settled the case shortly after viewing the tape and "came down considerably" in his demand for damages.

In most instances, plaintiffs eager to collect damages settle at a discount rather than subject themselves to lengthy, arduous appeals.

Still, such remedies could take many forms, they said, and the plaintiffs have not settled firmly on a single, preferred remedy.

The other seventeen plaintiffs withdrew them and settled the case by mutual release.

The plaintiffs settled with Mr. Marcos's estate and with the Philippines' government for $161 million, Mr. Swift said.

The plaintiffs have settled with the company.

The plaintiffs settled for an undisclosed sum before a definitive judgment.

Breggin later claimed that this was because the plaintiffs and defendants had secretly settled behind closed doors.