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Trader Joe’s $12.47M Wage and Hour Class Action Settlement
By the Class Action Buddy Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 22, 2026 · ✓ verified against https://openclassactions.com/settlements/paga/trader-joes-california-wage-hour-paga-class-action-settlement.php
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Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible to file a claim if you:
- You are or were employed by Trader Joe's in California as non-exempt Crew, a Merchant, or a Mate
- Class Members: worked in one of those roles at any time from December 4, 2016 through March 31, 2024
- PAGA Members: worked in those roles during the First PAGA Period (December 4, 2019 – March 31, 2024) or the Second PAGA Period (April 1, 2024 – September 5, 2025)
- You can be in one or both groups — both are drawn from Trader Joe's payroll records, so no sign-up is required
- Salaried/exempt management roles and non-California employees are not covered
- The separate "suitable seating" claim is carved out of this settlement and is not affected by it
How Much Can You Get?
The $12.47 million fund is divided on a pro-rata basis rather than as a flat per-person amount, so no fixed figure has been published. Your share is scaled to the number of workweeks you worked during the covered periods — the more weeks, the larger your payment — and a Mate's workweeks are counted twice. Eligible employees also receive a share of the settlement's PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) penalties. After attorneys' fees, administration costs, the PAGA allocation paid to the state, and any service awards are deducted, the remaining money is distributed to Class and PAGA members. Because per-person amounts depend on the final opt-out count and the court's rulings on those deductions, exact figures will not be known until closer to distribution.How to File Your Claim
The administrator has not published a claim form for this settlement. The steps below are what filing will involve once one exists.
- There is no claim form and no claim deadline — if you qualify, the settlement administrator (Apex Class Action LLC) already has you on its list from Trader Joe's payroll records
- Your payment is calculated from your workweeks and mailed to your last known address after the settlement takes effect
- Make sure the administrator has your current mailing address, especially if you have moved or left the company
- By October 2, 2026 you may exclude yourself (opt out), object to the settlement, or dispute the number of workweeks listed on your notice
- Opt out only if you want to keep the right to sue Trader Joe's separately over these wage-and-hour claims
- No payment date has been set; the final approval hearing is April 22, 2027 in San Mateo County Superior Court, and payments follow final approval and any appeals
File this one with the administrator
Class Action Buddy does not file this settlement for you — use the official claim process above. What the app does do is watch the open settlements list and tell you when a new one matches your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a claim for the Trader Joe’s $12.47M Wage and Hour Class Action Settlement?
The current deadline to file a claim is Oct 02, 2026. Claims sent by mail must be postmarked by this date, so allow about a week for delivery if you are not filing online.
Do I need proof of purchase for the Trader Joe’s $12.47M Wage and Hour Class Action Settlement?
No proof of purchase is required — you can typically file based on a sworn statement, without receipts, photos, or product packaging. You also do not need a Claimant ID or PIN to file.
How do I file a claim for the Trader Joe’s $12.47M Wage and Hour Class Action Settlement?
File directly with the settlement administrator, using the official claim form linked on this page. Class Action Buddy does not support this settlement in the app, so the administrator’s own claim process is the route. Check whether the form asks for an ID or PIN from the notice you were sent before you start.
Do I need to file a claim to get paid?
No. This is an automatic-payment settlement. If you worked as non-exempt Crew, a Merchant, or a Mate at a California Trader Joe's during the covered periods, the administrator already has you on its list from payroll records and will mail your check. There is no claim form and no claim deadline.
Who qualifies for the Trader Joe's wage and hour settlement?
Current and former non-exempt Trader Joe's Crew, Merchants, and Mates in California. Class Members worked in those roles between December 4, 2016 and March 31, 2024. PAGA Members worked in them during December 4, 2019 through March 31, 2024, or April 1, 2024 through September 5, 2025. You can be in one or both groups.
How much money will I get?
There is no flat amount. Your share of the $12.47 million fund is pro-rated by the number of workweeks you worked, with a Mate's weeks counted twice, plus a share of the PAGA penalties. Exact per-person figures are not published until opt-outs are counted and the court approves the deductions.
What is the October 2, 2026 deadline?
It is the response deadline — the last day to exclude yourself (opt out), object to the settlement, or dispute the workweek count on your notice. It is not a claim deadline; you do not need to do anything to receive your payment.
When will payments be mailed?
No payment date has been announced. The final approval hearing is set for April 22, 2027 before Judge Mark A. McCannon in San Mateo County Superior Court (JCCP 5196). Payments go out after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Primary source: the official settlement administrator’s website named in the court-approved class notice. We track this settlement from public settlement-notice sources; a single official administrator claim URL was not on file, so confirm the details on the official settlement website before you file.
Class Action Buddy is an independent directory and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the settlement administrator or the court. This page is general information, not legal advice. See how we verify settlements.
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