You’ll find that the ongoing StarkIst Tuna antitrust class action lawsuit has resulted in over $200 million in settlements. Plaintiffs alleged an unlawful conspiracy to raise and fix prices of packaged tuna products. The settlements include an EPP settlement valued at $136 million and DPP settlements totaling $58.75 million. The EPP settlement covers 58% of estimated single damages, while the DPP settlement represents 65%. If you’d like to learn more about the eligible plaintiffs, litigation background, and claim filing process, keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- The class-action lawsuit alleges an unlawful conspiracy by Tri-Union Seafoods LLC, StarKist Company, and Bumble Bee Foods, LLC to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize prices of packaged tuna products.
- The lawsuit has resulted in multiple settlements, with Tri-Union Seafoods LLC, StarKist Company, and Bumble Bee Foods, LLC agreeing to over $200 million in settlements.
- The EPP settlement is valued at $136 million, representing 58% of the estimated single damages for the EPP class, and the DPP settlements total $32.65 million and $26.1 million.
- The EPP class encompasses residents of 32 states/territories who purchased packaged tuna between June 1, 2011, and July 1, 2015, while the DPP class includes major companies.
- Eligible claimants can submit claims without proof of purchase and will receive an estimated $0.12 per can of packaged tuna purchased, with a minimum payment of $5.00 if the total is less.
Settlement Agreements
Two separate settlement agreements were filed on August 13 between the end-payer plaintiffs (EPPs) and the direct purchaser plaintiffs (DPPs) in the StarKist Tuna lawsuit. The EPP settlement is valued at $136 million, while the DPP settlements total $32.65 million and $26.1 million worth of packaged tuna products.
These agreements, which don’t involve any admission of wrongdoing, represent 58% and 65% of the estimated single damages for the EPP and DPP classes, respectively. The DPP settlement exceeds Walmart’s previous $20.5 million settlement and accounts for 20% of the class’s packaged tuna purchases. These settlements were reached just before the trial, on the courthouse steps.
Eligible Plaintiffs and Class Members
The EPP class is expansive, encompassing residents of 32 states and territories who purchased packaged tuna between June 1, 2011 and July 1, 2015.
The DPP class includes major companies like Olean Wholesale Grocery, Pacific Groservice, and Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. DPP class members can redeem codes and get free shipping on tuna purchases.
The EPP settlement covers a media campaign to reach 70% of impacted consumers. The DPP settlement represents 65% of the class’s estimated single damages.
Both the EPP and DPP plaintiffs purchased packaged tuna during the relevant period, making them eligible for the settlements.
Litigation Background
A class-action lawsuit was filed in 2015 against Tri-Union Seafoods LLC (Chicken of the Sea), StarKist Company, and Bumble Bee Foods, LLC. The lawsuit alleged an unlawful conspiracy to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize prices of Packaged Tuna products.
The District Court Judge divided the lawsuit into four separate tracks in 2019. Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union agreed to pay $16.2 million in settlements, while Bumble Bee, Lion Capital, StarKist, and Dongwon Industries agreed to over $200 million in settlements, including StarKist’s owner Dongwon Industries. The settlements resolved the civil lawsuit alongside the criminal charges, with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California approving the settlement agreements.
Settlement Fund Breakdown
According to the provided details, the total settlement fund amounts to $152.2 million, which encompasses $136 million from the EPP (End-Payer Plaintiffs) settlement and $16.2 million from the previous COSI (Chicken of the Sea) settlement. This fund will be allocated as follows:
- Class Counsel is seeking 33% in attorneys fees, totaling $50.226 million.
- Litigation costs are $1.618 million, and service awards are $294,000.
- The remaining amount for class members is $100,061,510.76, with an estimated payment of $0.12 per can purchased and a minimum payment of $5.00 if the total is less than that.
Claim Filing Process
Submitting a claim for the StarkIst Tuna Lawsuit settlement requires no proof of purchase. Claimants can attest to their class membership without providing proof of purchases.
Claim forms can be submitted online or downloaded and mailed to the claims administrator by the December 31, 2024 deadline. Eligible claimants will receive an estimated $0.12 per can of packaged tuna purchased between June 1, 2011 and July 1, 2015. Payment methods include check or PayPal.
The claims process for the StarkIst Tuna Lawsuit settlement is straightforward, allowing class members to easily file their claims and receive their compensation.
Claim Deadline and Payment Details
When does the claim deadline for the Tuna Settlement expire? The claim deadline to file for the StarKist Tuna lawsuit settlement is December 31, 2024. The estimated payout per person is $0.12 per can of packaged tuna purchased. Payments will be made via check or PayPal to eligible class members from the $100,061,510.76 remaining in the $152.2 million settlement fund after fees and costs.
Key details:
- Claim deadline: December 31, 2024
- Payout: $0.12 per can of packaged tuna
- No proof of purchase required to submit a claim
Compensation Estimates
The compensation for eligible class members in the StarKist Tuna lawsuit settlement is estimated at $0.12 per can of packaged tuna purchased during the relevant period. For example, if you purchased 400 cans, you’d receive approximately $49.00 in compensation.
However, there will be no payment if the total estimated compensation is less than $5.00. The actual amount may vary based on the total number of valid claims and associated costs.
To receive your compensation, you must file a timely claim for the settlement of USD.
Approved Attorneys Fees and Costs
The court approved $49.8 million in attorneys fees, which is 33% of the total $152.2 million settlement fund. The approved litigation costs were $1,618,489.24, and the class representative service awards totaled $294,000. After these deductions, $100,061,510.76 remains for distribution to class members.
The attorneys fees and costs were reasonable and appropriate given the:
- Complexity of the StarKist tuna lawsuit in the Southern District of California.
- Duration of the antitrust class action settlement against Bumble Bee.
- Efforts required to achieve the $152.2 million settlement fund for class members.
What Are the Implications of the StarkIst Tuna Lawsuit in Relation to Other Spanish Lawsuits?
The StarkIst Tuna lawsuit highlights key aspects of understanding spanish legal disputes. As similar cases emerge, the implications for international legislation and compliance are significant. This lawsuit may influence future rulings, shaping how businesses navigate legal challenges in Spain and reinforcing the need for rigorous legal frameworks in global commerce.
Opt-Out and Objection Options
Settlement class members have until November 8, 2024 to object to the Settlements. There’s no additional opportunity to exclude from the StarKist and Lion Settlements. Objections must be postmarked by November 8, 2024 to be evaluated by the Court.
Class Members who do nothing won’t receive a payment, but will give up their right to sue StarKist and Lion.
The Court Fairness Hearing to assess approval of the Settlements is on November 22, 2024. Class members must follow these procedures to preserve their rights in the Re: Packaged Seafood Products class action settlements against StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Lion Capital LLP for alleged violations of unfair competition laws related to tuna ounces for end consumption.
Court Approval and Next Steps
The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on November 22, 2024 to evaluate approving the settlements, including attorneys fees, litigation costs, and service awards.
Settlement Class Members have until December 31, 2024 to submit their claims, and they’ll be bound by the Total Settlement and give up their right to sue StarKist and Lion.
Fairness Hearing Approval
If the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California approves the StarKist, Bumble Bee, and other class action settlements at the upcoming Fairness Hearing, it will resolve the alleged price-fixing scheme in the seafood industry news.
The court will consider:
- The reasonableness of the attorneys’ fees and litigation costs requested by Class Counsel.
- The service awards to be distributed to eligible class members.
- Any objections from class members before the November 8, 2024 deadline.
Once the settlements receive final approval, JND Legal Administration will determine the final amounts to be paid to class members who purchased the affected tuna pouches.
Claim Submission Deadline
Claimants in the StarKist Tuna Lawsuit settlement have until December 31, 2024 to submit their claim forms. The lawsuit alleges that StarKist and Bumble Bee sold tuna pouches that were smaller than forty ounces, despite the packages depicting larger sizes.
As a trusted resource in seafood news, the court will review attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, and service awards as part of approving the settlements at the Fairness Hearing on November 22, 2024. Class members can contact the Settlement Administrator if they’ve any questions about the claim submission deadline and the claims process for becoming a premium class action settlement participant.
Conclusion
You’ll be delighted to know the StarKist tuna lawsuit saga is finally drawing to a halt. With the settlement agreement in place, eligible plaintiffs can anticipate equitable reimbursement for their claims. However, it’s pivotal you scrutinize the details meticulously to guarantee you don’t miss the boat on this opportunity. After all, time is of the essence, and the clock’s ticking on this case.
