Settlement Worth $41.25 Million Announced for Indirect Purchasers of Broiler Chickens

Important Legal Settlement for Indirect Purchasers of Broiler Chickens

A major announcement has been made regarding the settlement of class action lawsuits related to the indirect purchase of broiler chickens. Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, and Gustafson Gluek PLLC have declared a substantial settlement amounting to $41.25 million that aims to benefit companies that bought broiler chickens for commercial use between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2019.

Who Is Eligible to Claim?

The settlement primarily covers businesses that engaged in indirect purchases from a range of suppliers during the specified period. Eligible participants could include restaurants, grocery store delis, nursing homes, schools, and other commercial entities that utilized these poultry products. To ascertain eligibility, it is vital for companies to confirm they purchased broilers indirectly from any of the defendants involved in the legal proceedings.

A detailed breakdown of eligible purchasers and relevant class definitions is available online, emphasizing the need for companies to check their qualifications.

Breakdown of the Settlement Details

The total sum of $41,250,000 from the Round 2 Settlements comes from various defendants including notable names such as Harrison Poultry, Inc., House of Raeford Farms, Inc., Koch Foods Inc., Sanderson Farms, and more. If approved, these settlements will also provide added benefits, like complimentary access to price reporting services from Agri Stats subsidiary Express Markets Inc. for class members who submit claims before the deadline.

There have already been previous settlements totaling approximately $103,890,000, contributing to a combined total of nearly $145,140,000 when including the current settlements. This comprehensive effort demonstrates the commitment of the involved firms to resolve claims effectively while compensating affected businesses.

Claim Submission and Payment Distribution

To qualify for payments from the Round 2 Settlements, eligible parties need to file their claims by June 19, 2025. Businesses that have submitted claims in the earlier Round 1 Settlements do not need to resubmit; their previous submissions will determine eligibility for these new settlements.

The distribution of funds is contingent upon court approval of the settlements, which will not occur until all appeals and objections are resolved. Updates regarding payments and settlement distributions will be provided through the designated settlement website.

Rights and Information for Claimants

Companies that choose not to take any action but have not excluded themselves from the class will not be able to initiate or pursue further legal actions against the settling defendants concerning the same issues. The Final Fairness Hearing for the settlement will be held on July 30, 2025, where the court will further assess the fairness and adequacy of the proposed settlements. This hearing will allow for objections and will potentially influence the final approval process.

For further guidance on filing a claim, details about the settlement, and access to applicable documents, affected parties are encouraged to visit www.ChickenCommercialSettlement.com or contact the provided helpline. This initiative stands as an essential development for establishments affected by the broiler chicken purchasing landscape, reinforcing the importance of legal recourse in the commercial environment.