Judge: Peter Wilson, Case: 2019-01120940, Date: 2023-07-27 Tentative Ruling

Having reviewed the papers filed in connection with the unopposed Motion for Final Approval, the Court is inclined to GRANT the Motion if the following issues are resolved at the hearing:

1.    The email(s) from the Class Member who objected in error should be submitted to the Court.

2.    An estimate of Plaintiff’s individual settlement and/or PAGA payment(s) should be provided.

3.    Although Plaintiff proposed a date for the final accounting hearing, a different date should be proposed. Should the Settlement be approved, the Court will hold a status conference for a final accounting. Counsel shall submit a final report at least 10 days prior to that conference regarding the status of the settlement administration. Counsel should include a date for the final accounting in the proposed order. The Court holds final accounting hearings on Fridays at 9:00 am. The final accounting should occur after the deadline for class members to cash their checks. The final report must include all information necessary for the Court to determine the total amount actually paid to class members and any amounts tendered to the State Controller’s Office under Unclaimed Property law.

If these issues are resolved to the Court’s satisfaction, the Court will GRANT the Motion subject to the following:

$ 5,000.00 for Plaintiff’s Enhancement;

$ 28,333.33 for reasonable Attorney’s Fees to be allocated between Lidman Law, APC and Haines Law Group, APC in accordance with their agreement;

$ 10,515.28 for actual litigation costs;  

$ 4,950.00 for the settlement administrator’s fees and costs; and

$ 5,000 total for PAGA penalties allocated as follows: $3,750.00 for LWDA share (75%) and $1,250.00 to the PAGA Employees (25%).

Plaintiff is ordered to give notice, including to the LWDA and to file a proof of service within 5 days.