Judge: Randall J. Sherman, Case: 2020-01176349, Date: 2023-07-21 Tentative Ruling

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Approval of Settlement Under Private Attorneys General Act is granted, except that the court awards enhancements to plaintiffs Lauren Edwards and Jaron Haygood only in the amounts of $2,500 each, for a total of $5,000, which is sufficient and proper for a settlement and aggrieved employee group of this size, considering the number of hours plaintiffs spent on this case, and considering that plaintiff Edwards received an individual settlement in connection with other claims.  The court concludes that the $825,000 PAGA settlement, as approved, is fair, adequate and reasonable, and approves the following specific awards:

● $275,000.00 to plaintiffs’ counsel for plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, as requested;

● $15,000.00 to plaintiffs’ counsel for plaintiffs’ attorney costs, as requested;

● $2,500 each to plaintiffs Lauren Edwards and Jaron Haygood as enhancement awards, reduced from the $7,500 each requested;

● $8,000.00 to the Administrator, Simpluris, Inc., as requested;

● $391,500.00, which is 75% of the remaining balance of $522,000.00, to the LWDA as its share of PAGA penalties; and

● $130,500.00, which is 25% of the remaining balance of $522,000.00, to the aggrieved employees as their share of PAGA penalties.

The court sets a Final Report Hearing for April 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., to confirm that distribution efforts are fully completed, including the distribution of uncashed aggrieved employee checks after 180 days, that the Administrator’s work is complete, and that the court’s file thus may be closed.  The parties must report to the court the total amount that was actually paid to the aggrieved employees.  All supporting papers must be filed at least 16 days before the Final Report Hearing date.

Plaintiff is ordered to give notice of the ruling to the LWDA and to defendants.