Washington Residents to Receive Rebate from Chicken and Tuna Price-Fixing Settlement
Washington state residents who bought canned tuna or chicken products may qualify for rebates of up to $120 under a major settlement. The state alleges that more than 20 companies agreed to artificially raise prices on these items, leading to overpayment by consumers.
As a result of the settlement, the state is distributing a rebate to over 400,000 Washington residents. As of February, millions of dollars from the $40.6 million settlement remained unclaimed. While checks were intended to be sent automatically, not everyone has received one.
Households that have not received their checks can file a claim by June 5th. Unlike typical class action settlements, which compensate individuals directly for alleged harm, the state has allocated the settlement funds to low-income residents.
Eligible recipients include current Washington residents making less than 175% of the federal poverty level, which equates to approximately $26,300 per year for an individual in 2024 and $35,770 for a family of two.
Single-person households that meet the criteria will receive $50 payments, while households with two or more individuals will receive $120. According to the state Attorney General’s website, these eligibility requirements aim to ensure that individuals most impacted by the companies’ illegal conduct receive the funds.
Brands implicated in the lawsuit include StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Chicken of the Sea. The Supreme Court declined to hear StarKist’s appeal of Washington’s suit in 2022.
Individuals who have lost or misplaced their checks have until May 1st to request a reissuance. Claims and requests can be submitted online.
Class action lawsuits allow groups of people who share similar grievances against a company or entity to come together in court. When a lawsuit becomes a class action, it extends to all class members who may have similar complaints. Companies often opt to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation and potential liability.
In recent months, various class action settlements across the country have been offering substantial compensation to consumers. These settlements cover a wide range of issues, including data breaches, false advertising, and alleged misconduct in the healthcare industry.
