James S. Evans v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is a case that recently caught attention when Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, agreed to pay $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit was brought by Walmart employees in California, who claimed that the company didn’t give them proper wage statements, as required by state law. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the background of the case, the details of the settlement, and what it means for current and former Walmart employees in California.
Case Background
The Evans v. Walmart lawsuit was originally filed in 2016 in California state court. The lead plaintiff, James S. Evans, was a former Walmart employee who claimed that the company’s wage statements were inaccurate and failed to comply with California labor laws.
In 2019, the case was moved to federal court. The plaintiffs then filed an amended complaint expanding their claims against Walmart.
The Lawsuit Against Walmart
The class action lawsuit alleged several wage statement violations by Walmart, including:
- Not including bonuses in hourly and overtime pay can result in employees being underpaid for their work.
- Failure to provide hourly wages on wage statements
- Failure to pay out accrued vacation and holiday pay
- Failure to provide accurate itemized wage statements
The plaintiffs argued that these failures violated the California Labor Code, which requires employers to provide accurate, itemized wage statements to employees. They sought damages and penalties on behalf of all affected current and former Walmart associates in California.
Arguments Presented By The Plaintiffs
The plaintiffs in the Evans v. Walmart case made several key arguments:
First, they alleged that Walmart’s wage statements were inaccurate and incomplete. The statements failed to include required information such as hourly rates, hours worked, and gross wages earned – which made it difficult for employees to verify they were being paid properly.
Second, the plaintiffs argued that by failing to provide accurate wage statements, Walmart denied employees the ability to promptly and easily determine if they had been paid properly for all hours worked. This failure placed a burden on workers.
Third, the lawsuit claimed these wage statement violations were widespread, affecting about 265,000 current and former Walmart employees in California over a period of several years. The plaintiffs sought to recover damages on behalf of all the impacted workers.
Finally, the plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that Walmart’s actions were unlawful under the California Labor Code and that the company should be held accountable. They sought significant penalties against Walmart to compensate employees and discourage future violations.
Walmart’s Response To The Allegations
When faced with the allegations in the Evans vs Walmart lawsuit, the company chose to settle the case rather than fight it in court. By agreeing to a settlement, Walmart avoided a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle. The decision to settle also suggests that Walmart acknowledged some of the claims made in the lawsuit had merit.
While Walmart has not admitted to any wrongdoing, the settlement amount of $35 million speaks to the seriousness of the allegations. This substantial sum will be distributed among the approximately 265,000 class members who worked at Walmart stores in California between September 13, 2016, and July 26, 2021.
Evans vs Walmart Settlement Details
Walmart has agreed to pay $35 million to settle the Evans vs. Walmart case. A federal judge in California approved this settlement, which deals with complaints that Walmart didn’t give correct wage statements, didn’t pay overtime properly, and had other wage issues affecting its employees in California.
Here’s how the settlement will be used:
- Up to $550,000 will cover the costs of sending notices and managing the settlement.
- Up to $11,666,666.66 will go to the lawyers.
- Up to $250,000 will be used for other legal costs.
- $375,000 will be paid as a special amount under California law.
The money will be divided among employees who worked at Walmart stores in California during the relevant period. The exact amount each person gets will depend on various factors, but the settlement aims to compensate workers for the wage problems.
This settlement does not cover employees in other states or outside the specified dates. Walmart is paying this amount without admitting they did anything wrong.
Class Member Rights & Options
If you are a current or former Walmart employee in California who worked at the company between September 13, 2016, and July 26, 2021, you may be entitled to a portion of the settlement funds. As a class member, you have certain rights and options regarding this settlement.
First and foremost, you have the right to claim your share of the settlement. To do so, you’ll need to submit a valid claim form by the deadline specified in the settlement notice. It’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully and provide all the required information to ensure your claim is processed correctly.
If, for some reason, you wish to opt out of the settlement, you have the right to do so. By opting out, you will not receive any payment from the settlement fund, but you will retain your right to pursue your own legal action against Walmart if you believe you have a valid claim.
Conclusion
The James S. Evans v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. case shows how important it is for employers to follow the rules about wage statements. Walmart agreed to pay $35 million to settle the lawsuit, which was filed by California employees who said the company didn’t give them correct wage statements or pay them properly.
This settlement will help make things right for the workers involved and highlights the need for companies to stick to labor laws. For Walmart employees in California, this means they will get some compensation and a reminder about their rights at work.
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