Trevor Bauer Lawsuit 2026: The $310K Default Judgment, Settlement History, and What’s Left
Quick Answer
- A judge awarded Trevor Bauer nearly $310,000 after Lindsey Hill violated their zero-dollar 2023 settlement by repeatedly claiming he paid her.
- The award covers 22 separate settlement violations plus attorney fees, interest, and costs.
- Hill has stated publicly she will not pay, and no criminal charges were ever filed against Bauer.
Trevor Bauer won a default judgment against Lindsey Hill on June 3, 2025. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel Crowley ordered Hill to pay Bauer $309,830 after she failed to respond to his lawsuit alleging she breached their 2023 settlement agreement .
The case stems from a 2021 sexual assault accusation that led Major League Baseball to suspend Bauer for 194 games, costing him roughly $37.5 million in salary . Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges in February 2022, citing insufficient evidence .
This article breaks down the verified facts of the judgment, the history of the settlement, and what happens now that Hill says she won’t pay. One detail that stands out: the original 2023 settlement involved no money changing hands between Bauer and Hill .
The Facts
| Case | Bauer v. Hill (settlement violation) |
|---|---|
| Court | Los Angeles Superior Court |
| Judge | Daniel Crowley |
| Status | Default judgment entered June 3, 2025 |
| Judgment Amount | $309,830 |
| Breakdown | $220,000 violations, $68,939.55 fees, $16,939.55 interest, $4,257.95 costs |
| Claim Deadline | Not applicable |
| Administrator | Not applicable |
| Proof Needed | Settlement agreement, social media posts, podcast transcripts |
Is the Trevor Bauer Lawsuit Legit or a Scam?
The Trevor Bauer lawsuit is a legitimate, court-ordered judgment. Judge Daniel Crowley of the Los Angeles Superior Court entered the award after Hill failed to respond to the lawsuit . That makes it a default judgment, meaning the court accepted Bauer’s evidence because the other side did not contest it.
The underlying case is not a scam. It involves a real settlement agreement, real social media statements, and a real court ruling. The judgment amount is broken down into specific categories: $220,000 for 22 separate violations at $10,000 each, $68,939.55 for attorney fees, $16,939.55 in interest, and $4,257.95 in costs .
Hill has said she will not pay. In a post on X after the ruling, she stated, “He will never see a cent from me” . That does not undo the judgment, but it means collection may be a separate battle.
Key Takeaway: The judgment is real and court-ordered. Whether Bauer can collect is a separate question, since Hill has publicly refused to pay.
How Much Did Trevor Bauer Win in the Lawsuit?
Trevor Bauer won $309,830 in total. The award breaks down into four specific components, all confirmed in court documents .
Here is the verified breakdown:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Settlement violations (22 x $10,000) | $220,000 |
| Attorney fees | $68,939.55 |
| Interest | $16,939.55 |
| Costs | $4,257.95 |
| Total judgment | $309,830 |
Bauer originally sought $309,832.02 in his October 2024 lawsuit, an amount that slightly exceeded the $300,000 insurance payment Hill received . The court awarded nearly the full amount requested.
The $220,000 violation portion reflects 22 separate instances where Hill allegedly claimed Bauer paid her money. According to court documents, those statements appeared primarily on social media and in a podcast interview .
Key Takeaway: The $309,830 award is nearly all of what Bauer requested. The largest piece, $220,000, is tied to 22 specific settlement violations.
What Was the Original Trevor Bauer Settlement Agreement?
The original Trevor Bauer settlement agreement was reached in 2023 and involved no money changing hands between Bauer and Hill. Both sides withdrew their claims: Bauer dropped his defamation suit, and Hill dropped her countersuit for sexual battery and assault .
The agreement included a confidentiality provision. Neither party was supposed to discuss the terms publicly. Hill’s legal team noted at the time that she would receive a $300,000 insurance payout directed to her law firm, but that payment came from her insurer, not from Bauer .
The violation arose when Hill later claimed publicly that Bauer “handed back an insurance sum to me that was meant for him in order for me to drop my countersuit” . Bauer’s legal team argued that statement falsely implied he had paid her.
Think of it like a store return with a strict no-discussion policy. If you agree not to talk about the refund and then announce it on social media, you’ve broken the deal, even if the refund itself was legitimate.
Key Takeaway: The original settlement was a zero-dollar deal. The violation was about what Hill said afterward, not about money she received from Bauer.
Reality Check: A default judgment does not automatically mean money changes hands. The court ordered Hill to pay. Hill has said she won’t. Collecting a judgment from someone who refuses to pay can require wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens, and those tools only work if the debtor has assets to seize.
What Happened With the Trevor Bauer Defamation Lawsuit Against The Athletic?
Bauer also filed a defamation lawsuit against The Athletic and former reporter Molly Knight in 2022, accusing them of “creating and spreading the false narrative” that he fractured a woman’s skull . That case is separate from the Hill settlement dispute.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleged that The Athletic reported “signs of a basilar skull fracture” when the woman’s own CT scan results showed “no acute fracture” . Bauer’s attorneys argued the publication acted with actual malice by ignoring medical records it possessed.
The Athletic responded at the time by saying it was “confident in our reporting and plan to defend against the claim” . Knight left The Athletic in July 2021.
The current status of that defamation lawsuit is not yet confirmed in available public records. No settlement or final judgment has been reported. If you are following that case, check federal court dockets in the Central District of California for updates.
Why Was Trevor Bauer Suspended by MLB?
Trevor Bauer was suspended by MLB for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy. Commissioner Rob Manfred initially imposed an unprecedented 324-game suspension in April 2022 . An independent arbitrator later reduced it to 194 games .
The suspension cost Bauer approximately $37.5 million in salary from his three-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers . The Dodgers released him in January 2023 and paid out the remainder of the deal .
Bauer was never charged with a crime. Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file charges in February 2022, stating they could not prove the accusations beyond a reasonable doubt . A judge also denied Hill’s request for a restraining order, finding that Bauer honored the boundaries Hill set .
The arbitrator concluded Bauer did violate MLB’s policy, which is a lower standard than criminal proof. That distinction explains how he could be suspended without being charged .
What Happens Next
June 2025: Judge Crowley entered the $309,830 default judgment against Hill. The judgment is now on the record.
Ongoing: Bauer may need to pursue collection efforts if Hill does not pay voluntarily. That could include wage garnishment or asset liens.
Unconfirmed: The defamation lawsuit against The Athletic remains pending or unresolved. Check federal court records for updates.
Ongoing: Bauer continues his baseball career outside MLB, having played in Japan and Mexico since his suspension ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Trevor Bauer win in his lawsuit against Lindsey Hill?
Bauer won $309,830 in a default judgment. The award covers 22 settlement violations, attorney fees, interest, and costs.
Why did the judge rule in Trevor Bauer’s favor?
Judge Daniel Crowley ruled in Bauer’s favor because Hill violated the 2023 settlement agreement by repeatedly claiming Bauer paid her money. Hill did not respond to the lawsuit.
Did Trevor Bauer pay Lindsey Hill any money?
No. The 2023 settlement involved no money changing hands between them. Hill received a $300,000 insurance payout from her own insurer.
Is Trevor Bauer still suspended from MLB?
Bauer completed his 194-game suspension and was released by the Dodgers in January 2023. He is not currently under MLB suspension, but no team has signed him.
Was Trevor Bauer charged with a crime?
No. Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file criminal charges in February 2022, citing insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
What is the status of Trevor Bauer’s lawsuit against The Athletic?
The defamation lawsuit against The Athletic and Molly Knight is separate from the Hill case. Its current status is not yet confirmed in public records.
Will Trevor Bauer actually collect the $310,000?
That depends on whether Hill has assets that can be seized. She has stated publicly she will not pay. Collecting a judgment requires legal collection efforts.
Can Lindsey Hill appeal the judgment?
Hill did not respond to the original lawsuit, which led to the default judgment. She may have limited options for appeal, but the specific procedural status is not yet confirmed.
