To think my friend stopped talking to me because I received a settlement from work?

She might think the dynamic of your friendship has changed. Did she herself as the alpha, the advisor, the one who you needed? Suddenly, there's irrefutable evidence you don't need her, that you're an equal and she doesn't like it.
I've been amazed over the years things that people have been jealous of. One example, read PIP threads on here. Who would want to be disabled even if it meant you got a derisory payment or a car? yet you see it on every post.

As FeedingThem posted, I would ask her if something is bothering her as you noticed she hasn't been talking to you as much lately. Maybe she feels guilty or awkward for having given you bad advice,or thinks you don't need her friendship as much now as things are settled, or there may be something going on in her own life that she doesn't want to share with you. If she is horribly offended by the settlement at least she may tell you so you can both decide whether to continue the friendship or not.

I think you’ve learnt the hard way not to speak to anyone about money (other than your partner). My friends and I never discuss salaries or how much things cost, never talk about inheritances or bonuses. We would never discuss financial settlements like this (and a few of my close friends have had employment-related disputes). We just don’t talk about money. Much easier that way as people WILL judge and get jealous.

Does she feel you have won money you were not entitled to? That you exaggerated to get a better settlement. You keep telling us you don’t feel this or that’s tje issue. So you clearly know what the issue is. So why post the thread?

Very true!

Firstly,great you tenaciously fought for (and got) settlement reflective of the distress you experienced
Secondly, You don’t have to justify or explain anything. Let it drift. She’s not been a stalwart supporter and I’m afraid I think she’s sour because she’s jealous

wish you well after everything you’ve been through

She might be feeling weirded out that you're discussing your settlement, as they invariably include an absolutely binding non-disclosure clause as part of the agreement.

I wouldn't want somebody to risk their settlement by talking to me or anybody else about it, so I'd always try and avoid the subject altogether - especially if it's going to result in you being sued for breaching the terms and you're going to be looking to trace how it got back to the ex-employer that you were doing so.

Firstly well done for getting what you deserved for your treatment at work.
I can only imagine she has some sort of 'vicarious burnout' kind of feeling, in that she was pretty invested in you getting it sorted but it started to occupy her mind a bit too much.
Once it got dealt with maybe she just felt she needed a break.
But other than that I can only think she must be a bad friend or jealous?
If you worked together and maybe she was treated similar and wished she'd gone down that pathway, then that might make sense. But you say she's not a colleague.
Could it have evoked feelings about being wronged in her own life?
If she's choosing to no longer speak to you then it's her loss. X

Has it changed your level of wealth in comparison to her? Were you the 'poor' friend that she could feel superior over? Alternatively it works the other way. If you were similar or higher wealth then her she could feel like the money wasn't 'deserved' because you were already doing well. People can be very funny about these things.

I can freely admit that I would feel envious in these circumstances (about the money not the work issues) but I would be fully aware that it would be my issue and i get over it without effecting the friendship.

As I’ve grown older I’ve realised many people who smile in my face are not my friend. I’ve been surprised by what others become jealous of.

The real reason this country is underachieving is due to crabs in a barrel mentality. I don’t talk about money with anyone other than my DH.

The fact that people on here who no absolutely nothing about your circumstances are bitter and envious supports the view that she is jealous.

Is she maybe struggling financially. Were you insensitive when you told her how much?

Yeah I think it’s most likely that she’s jealous. People can get so funny about money.

^ This and only this.

It’s probably jealousy.

Perhaps she thinks you were taking advantage of the situation to be greedy?

Generally speaking, I dislike compensation culture, and I can imagine a scenario where I would think less of a friend for milking a situation for money.

Obviously it does depend on the circumstances, and I have no details about your experience so I am not judging you, just trying to imagine a reason for your friend’s behaviour.

Was it a life changing sum of money ?

Money changes people. I suspect she hoped you'd give her some of that money.

A settlement doesn't mean that you were entirely innocent. She may disagree with whatever happened.

In that case I think it may be more that she gave you poor advice and support, and perhaps the value of the settlement has shone a light (and validation!) on just how poorly you were treated.

People like to be seen as good guys, and when they've been noticeably shite they tend to go on the defensive in my opinion.

Time and space may be the best balm.

Sorry you've gone through a horrible time.

She is raging that you didn't give her a wad of cash out of your settlement. That's all it is.