Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. is a well-known company that provides utility services to various clients. Over the years, they have faced several lawsuits, some of which have resulted in settlements. In this blog post, we will discuss the details of the Osmose settlement, focusing on the Todd Fisher v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. case. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of the legal issues surrounding this company and the outcome of the settlement.
About Osmose
Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. is a leading provider of inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation services for utility infrastructures, including electrical and telecommunication systems. With a strong commitment to safety, reliability, and quality, the company has been serving clients across the United States and Canada for over 80 years.
They have gained a reputation for their innovative solutions, skilled professionals, and customized services catering to the specific needs of their clients.
Details Of The Lawsuits
One notable case involving Osmose is Hodges v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. Filed in March 2021 in the Northern District of Georgia, this case is still ongoing with no mention of a settlement yet. The specifics of the allegations in this pending litigation have not been disclosed.
In another matter, Williams v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc., the court did reach a decision. The plaintiffs were awarded various damages, including both compensatory and punitive amounts. However, this particular case did not involve a settlement agreement between the parties.
Perhaps the most significant development occurred in Todd Fisher v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. This class action lawsuit, filed in California’s Eastern District, seemed to be headed towards a resolution. In March 2020, a notice was filed indicating that a settlement had been reached on a class-wide basis.
However, the settlement hit a roadblock when it was presented to the court for approval. The judge denied the motion for preliminary approval of the class action settlement. This means that despite the parties’ efforts to resolve the matter, the court did not find the proposed terms acceptable.
Osmose Settlement Details
The Osmose settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in March 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The case, known as Hodges v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc., involved claims that the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
On January 4, 2024, Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. gave final approval to the collective and class action settlement reached between the plaintiffs and Osmose. The judge also approved the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with the litigation. With the settlement finalized, the civil case was officially closed that same day.
While the specific terms of the settlement have not been made public, it likely includes financial compensation for affected employees. Settlements in FLSA cases often provide back pay to workers who were not properly compensated for overtime hours or minimum wages. The settlement may also include changes to Osmose’s pay practices going forward.
Rights Of Employees In The Settlement
So what does this mean if you worked for Osmose Utilities Services? As an employee, you may be entitled to a portion of the settlement funds. The amount will likely depend on factors like your length of employment, your pay rate, and whether you worked overtime hours.
You should receive an official notice if you are eligible to participate in the settlement and claim a payment. This notice will provide instructions on what you need to do and any deadlines to take action. Make sure to read it carefully and follow the required steps.
Even if you are not directly included in the settlement class, the case sets a precedent that Osmose must follow labor laws and properly compensate employees. You have rights under the FLSA, including the right to minimum wage, overtime pay when working more than 40 hours in a week, and accurate payroll records.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Department of Labor or consult with an employment attorney. However, the Osmose settlement shows that employees can successfully hold companies accountable and recover the pay they are owed.
Initial Filing & Court Jurisdiction
To understand the context of the settlement, it’s helpful to know some background on the case. The initial lawsuit was filed on March 18, 2021 in federal court. The Northern District of Georgia handled the case, which is common for FLSA claims since they involve federal law.
Filing the case in federal court also allows for a collective action. This means that similarly situated employees can opt into the lawsuit and potentially be part of the settlement class. It enables workers to band together and have a stronger case than filing many individual claims.
The plaintiffs, represented by their attorneys, alleged that Osmose violated the FLSA. This federal law sets standards for pay, overtime compensation, record keeping and other employment practices. Companies that fail to comply can face legal action, as seen in this lawsuit.
Court Rulings
On January 4, 2024, Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. made an important ruling in this case. He granted final approval of the collective and class action settlement that had been proposed.
This approval included the agreed-upon payment of attorneys’ fees as well as litigation and administrative costs. With the settlement officially approved by the court, the civil case was then terminated that same day.
The lawsuit specifically alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by Osmose. It claimed that certain crew members who worked overtime hours were not paid accordingly.
The settlement applies to those who worked in PIT and/or PR crews for Osmose between September 13, 2019 and September 13, 2022. It resolves the claims of unpaid overtime for these workers during that 3-year period.
Case Current Status
With the court granting final approval, the Osmose settlement is now in effect. This means that the agreed-upon payments and resolutions can begin to be carried out.
Eligible crew members who were part of the specified work groups between 2019-2022 should be able to receive their portion of the settlement. The exact process and timeline for payments will likely be communicated to those workers.
Now that the case has been terminated following the settlement approval, there shouldn’t be any further legal proceedings on this particular overtime pay issue. Both the plaintiffs and Osmose have reached a resolution to close out this lawsuit.
Osmose Response On Settlement
Osmose has not made any public statements in direct response to the settlement. The company will undoubtedly be working behind the scenes to process the necessary payments and handle any related logistics.
Since the settlement has been approved by the court and the case terminated, it’s unlikely Osmose will have much more to say on the matter. They will simply need to follow through with the terms of the agreement to resolve the claims.
However, it’s possible that Osmose could release a brief statement acknowledging the resolution of the case. They may reiterate their commitment to properly compensating employees going forward.
Until any official response though, the court rulings and settlement approval speak for themselves in terms of the outcome of this lawsuit against Osmose.
Conclusion
The settlement in the Todd Fisher v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. case shows the importance of making sure companies follow fair labor practices. With the final approval in January 2024, affected workers will receive compensation for unpaid overtime, emphasizing the protections under labor laws.
This result highlights the need for companies to treat employees fairly and the right of workers to take action if their rights are violated. It also suggests that Osmose is working to correct past issues and improve how they pay their employees.
I was employed through the times of this claim . If needed I can find my exact dates. I want to know if this is still available.
You can contact the company. Thank You!