And IFHA did negotiate down $3k. and that is because my boss is a small business owner. I think it is within their ability to make the settlement higher if they think you can afford more. Which seems like a form of discrimination as well.
AND IN ADDITION to= we were required to have one of their reps come out and do the educational course.

I was thinking the same thing though, someone is making some money off of this. It was my comment that got us in trouble and my boss takes responsibility because she says she should have made sure I knew better. She did not want to pay a lawyer fees only to end up having to pay the settlement fee anyway.

This is a good forum for education though. thank you for your comments.