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NEW YORK (AP) — If you purchased some weighted groceries or bagged fruit at Walmart in recent years, you may be eligible for a cash payment from a class action settlement with the retailer.
The class action lawsuit, first filed in October 2022, alleges that Walmart shoppers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico who purchased certain sold-by-weight meat and seafood as well as select citrus sold in bulk bags paid more than the lowest price advertised in stores.
Walmart has denied any wrongdoing — but agreed to pay $45 million to settle the litigation. That means that impacted consumers can now submit claims for cash payments.
“We will continue providing our customers everyday low prices to help them save money on the products they want and need,” a spokesperson for the Bentonville, Arkansas, company stated. “We still deny the allegations, however we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties.”
Consumers can learn more about submitting a claim and the products that are covered on the settlement administrator’s website. Cash payments are available for anyone who purchased these certain weighted meat, seafood and bagged citrus products — which includes select oranges, grapefruit and tangerines — at Walmart in the U.S. and Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018 and January 19, 2024.
Payments will range in amount depending on each claim. It’s possible to get some money even if you don’t have a purchase receipt anymore.
Consumers without a proof of purchase can receive between $10 and $25, depending on how many eligible products they attest to buying during the settlement class period. Meanwhile, those with receipts or other documentation could be entitled to get 2% of the total cost for each product they purchased — at up to $500.
Approved claimants will receive their payments electronically through Venmo, Zelle, ACH or a virtual pre-paid MasterCard — but paper checks can also be requested those unable to receive payments electronically.
The deadline to submit a claim is June 5, with a final approval hearing set for June 12. Objections and other comments to the settlement can be made through May 22.
FAQs
As a part of the $45 million settlement, some Walmart customers may qualify to receive up to $500 cash payments. You may be eligible if you purchased weighted goods and/or bagged citrus in-person from Walmart, Walmart Supercenter or Walmart Neighborhood Market in the U.S. or Puerto Rico between Oct.
Am I eligible for the Walmart settlement? ›
Anyone who bought packaged meat, poultry, pork or seafood that was sold by weight from Oct. 19, 2018, through Jan. 19, 2024, in person at Walmart could qualify for part of the $45 million settlement.
How much is the Walmart grocery settlement? ›
The plaintiff and his attorneys in the 2022 case also could not be reached immediately for comment. Consumer advocates mentioned the $45 million Walmart settlement at a recent U.S. Senate hearing as evidence of "profiteering and unfair pricing tactics" that have driven up grocery prices.
How much is the Walmart settlement check? ›
Walmart has agreed to pay customers up to $500 in compensation as part of a $45 million settlement to a class-action lawsuit alleging that the retailer deceived customers into paying more for certain goods.
What items are included in the Walmart settlement? ›
What products are included in the Walmart settlement? The items in question were "weighted goods" and "bagged citrus." Weighted goods: Variable weight meat, poultry, pork and seafood products that are labeled with a price embedded bar code and designated by Walmart as part of its Department 93 products.
How to get money from Walmart settlement? ›
You must submit a claim to receive a payment. You don't have to have receipts detailing which products you bought to file a claim. To file a claim, submit your information to the settlement website at Walmartweightedgroceriessettlement.com. You must file a claim online or postmarked by mail by June 5, 2024.
Should I cash a class action settlement check? ›
People have mixed feelings about class-action suits, and whether you cash class-action refund checks is up to you. Generally, if you get one, you probably paid a lot more in wrongful fees than you're getting back in the settlement. If you don't cash the check, the money may go back to the company.
How long does it take to settle a claim with Walmart? ›
The time it takes to settle a Walmart personal injury claim can vary widely depending on the specific circ*mstances of your case. Some claims can be settled quickly, while others may take months or even years to resolve.
What is the Walmart compensation program? ›
Your Walmart compensation program is made up of three primary components — base salary, short- term incentive (annual incentive or bonus) and long-term incentive (equity). Base salary is linked to job duties and responsibilities and individual performance.
How do I join a Walmart class action lawsuit? ›
At walmartweightedgroceriessettlement.com, you may fill out and submit your Walmart Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Claim Form. The Claim Form is also available for download in the Important Documents section, or you may request a paper copy by contacting the Claims Administrator by phone and then sending it in.
Eligible customers must fill out a three-page claim form either online on the claims website or submitted through the mail.
Will Walmart cash a check from a lawsuit settlement? ›
Several retail chains offer check cashing services. Walmart cashes a wide variety of checks that include legal settlement checks.
Is the Walmart class-action lawsuit real? ›
Eligible Walmart customers can expect to receive anywhere from $10 to $500 from the settlement depending on how much they bought and if they have receipts. WASHINGTON — A little over a week remains to claim part of a class action settlement with Walmart over the cost of weighted groceries across U.S. stores.
How do I claim $500 from Walmart? ›
How to claim? You can file a form electronically or download it and mail it. The forms are on a website set up specially for the class action.
How to get money back from Walmart class-action lawsuit? ›
You must submit a Claim to get a cash payment. No documentation is required to be eligible to receive a payment: You may submit a Claim even if you no longer have receipts. You can submit your Claim Form online at this website.
Can you really get money from a class action lawsuit? ›
Class action lawsuits typically involve high-profile defendants facing a multitude of plaintiffs claiming injury. Even though these lawsuits sometimes settle for millions of dollars, a plaintiff's payout will depend on several factors, including: How many lead plaintiffs are involved. The number of injured plaintiffs.
Is it wise to join a class action lawsuit? ›
And since class action cases may take years, even to obtain a court-approved settlement, “sometimes it's easier to settle an individual case than the entire case,” Feldman says. However, if an eligible member does not plan on filing an independent lawsuit, there's no obvious downside to being a member, he says.
