If you have recently purchased certain sold-by-weight meat, poultry, pork, and seafood products or certain organic oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and navel oranges sold in bulk in mesh or plastic bags from Walmart between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024, you may be eligible to receive cash back as part of the Walmart Weighted Groceries Class Action Settlement. This settlement was reached in a class-action lawsuit, Kukorinis v. Walmart Inc., which alleged that customers who purchased weighted goods and bagged citrus paid more than the lowest in-store advertised price for those products. Walmart has denied these allegations but has agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid further legal proceedings.
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Important Dates
Before we dive into the details of the settlement, let’s take a look at some important dates to keep in mind:
- May 22, 2024: Deadline to Exclude Yourself from the Settlement (postmarked)
- May 22, 2024: Deadline to Object to or Comment on the Settlement (postmarked)
- June 5, 2024: Deadline to Submit a Claim (postmarked)
- June 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET: Final Approval Hearing
It’s crucial to take note of these dates to ensure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in the settlement.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for a cash payment from the Walmart Weighted Groceries Class Action Settlement, you must have purchased weighted goods and/or bagged citrus in-person at a Walmart retail store, supercenter, or neighborhood market in the United States or Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024. Weighted goods include meat, poultry, pork, and seafood products sold by weight, while bagged citrus refers to certain organic oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and navel oranges sold in bulk in mesh or plastic bags.
Understanding the Settlement
A settlement was reached in the class-action lawsuit that alleged customers paid more than the lowest in-store advertised price for weighted goods and bagged citrus purchased at Walmart stores. However, it’s important to note that Walmart denies these allegations and maintains that it did nothing wrong. Despite the denial, Walmart has agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the uncertainties and costs associated with further legal proceedings.
Your Legal Rights and Options
As a member of the settlement class, you have several legal rights and options available to you. It’s essential to understand these rights and options before making any decisions. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
Submit a Claim
To receive a cash payment from the settlement, you must submit a claim. The claim submission can be done online or by mail and must be postmarked no later than June 5, 2024. The good news is that you don’t need to provide any documentation to be eligible for a payment. Even if you no longer have receipts, you can still submit a claim form. The product descriptions and a searchable list of UPC codes for the weighted goods and bagged citrus can be found on the Product Descriptions tab of the settlement website.
Exclude Yourself from the Settlement
If you don’t wish to be part of the settlement and receive a cash payment, you have the option to exclude yourself. This is also known as “opting out” and submitting an “opt-out request.” By excluding yourself, you retain your right to sue Walmart independently about the legal claims resolved by this settlement. It’s important to note that if you choose to exclude yourself, you will not receive any payment from the settlement.
Object to the Settlement and/or Attend a Hearing
If you don’t exclude yourself from the settlement, you retain the right to object to it. You can express your concerns or dissatisfaction with the settlement by writing to the court, explaining why you disagree with the terms. You may also request permission to speak about your objection at the Final Approval Hearing. It’s important to remember that if you object to the settlement, you can still file a claim form to receive a payment if the court approves the settlement.
Do Nothing
If you choose to take no action, you will automatically be part of the settlement. However, by doing nothing, you will not receive any payment from the settlement, and you will give up your right to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Walmart related to the legal claims resolved by this settlement. It’s crucial to understand the implications of doing nothing and carefully consider your options.
How to Submit a Claim
To submit a claim and potentially receive a cash payment, you have two options: online submission or mail submission. If you prefer to submit your claim online, you can visit the settlement website and fill out the claim form. Alternatively, you can download the claim form from the Important Documents section of the website or contact the Claims Administrator to request a paper copy of the form. Once you have completed the claim form, you can submit it online or mail it to the Claims Administrator.
Additional Information
In addition to the details provided above, there are some additional aspects of the Walmart Weighted Groceries Class Action Settlement that you should be aware of:
- Award Amount: If the court approves the settlement, settlement class members who submit a valid and timely claim form will be entitled to a cash payment with a maximum amount up to $500 with proof of purchase.
- Proof of Purchase: Proof of purchase is not required for up to 100 or more bagged citrus or weighted goods purchased.
- Claim Deadline: The deadline to submit a claim is June 5, 2024.
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How Much Will You Get
- If you bought up to 50 items like Weighted Goods or Bagged Citrus at Walmart during the class action settlement period without keeping your receipts, you can claim $10.
- If you bought 51 to 75 of these items without receipts, you can claim $15
- If you bought 76 to 100 items without receipts, you can claim $20.
- If you bought 101 or more items without receipts, you can claim $25.
- However, if you have kept your receipts or other proof of purchase for any number of these items, you can claim 2% of the total amount you spent, up to a maximum of $500.
It’s important to review the settlement notice carefully for all the necessary information and instructions on how to participate in the settlement.
Conclusion
If you have purchased certain weighted goods or bagged citrus from Walmart between October 19, 2018, and January 19, 2024, you may be eligible to receive a cash payment as part of the Walmart Weighted Groceries Class Action Settlement. By submitting a claim, excluding yourself, objecting to the settlement, or taking no action, you can exercise your legal rights and options. Make sure to review the settlement notice, understand the deadlines, and follow the instructions provided to participate in the settlement. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your cash back!