The Walmart class action is one of the hottest news stories in the United States, and I’m sure you’re one of the thousands of people who are still looking for shopping tickets. Just when the lawsuit was about to be upheld, it just took an unexpected turn: here’s what could happen in the next few weeks, with a new development that may change the courts’ minds (and it’s going to affect you).
Walmart class action, a challenge for the chain and an opportunity for you
Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, is no stranger to class action lawsuits. Over the years, the company has faced numerous legal challenges over its employment practices, product labeling, and more. The latest controversy involves allegations that Walmart mislabeled and overcharged customers for fresh meat and seafood.
In 2021, several plaintiffs brought a class action lawsuit alleging that Walmart systematically mislabeled products to make them appear more expensive. According to the plaintiffs, Walmart would label products as premium or wild-caught when they were farmed or standard offerings.
The lawsuit contends that Walmart’s practices violated consumer protection laws in several states. By tricking customers into paying inflated prices, Walmart allegedly engaged in deceptive conduct. While Walmart denied any wrongdoing, the company chose to settle the class action in 2022 to avoid further legal costs.
New groceries included in Walmart class action: all you have to know
In a new development in the massive class action lawsuit against Walmart, seafood has been added as a product category covered under the settlement. The lawsuit originally focused on meat products, alleging that Walmart misled consumers by adding more weight than the actual weight.
However, the plaintiffs recently expanded the scope to include seafood products as well. They claim Walmart falsely advertised its salmon, shrimp, crab, and other seafood items as “Made in the USA” when they actually contained imported seafood.
This means customers who purchased Walmart’s store brand marketside seafood between 2018-2024 may be eligible for compensation if the settlement is approved. The addition of seafood expands the range of customers who could potentially receive settlement benefits.
The number of customers who will be affected is already estimated at several tens of thousands and will be able to make a claim.
It’s estimated that tens of millions of customers could have been affected by Walmart’s alleged mislabeling of meat and seafood products over the four year period covered by the lawsuit. In fact, the associations of fish and seafood traders were already demanding the inclusion of this product.
Allegation details and how to know if you are eligible to do the same
After years of litigation, Walmart has agreed to pay $45 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the retailer falsely advertised the weight of pre-packaged meat and seafood products sold at Walmart stores. This resulted in customers overpaying for these items.
To qualify for payment from the Walmart class action settlement, you must meet certain requirements. The settlement covers anyone who purchased fresh, frozen, or cooked meat or seafood from Walmart stores nationwide between 2018 and 2024.
The biggest benefit is cash payments. Class members can receive $10 for each purchase of fresh, frozen, or cooked meat or seafood from Walmart, without a cap. Receipts are not required, but claimants must provide information on the approximate number of purchases.
You see, this change in the Walmart class action is going to be tremendously positive for all those who have been affected by what many are calling a scam. The addition of seafood to the foods that can be claimed is intended to be a boost to all those who are pushing for this initiative that, after going to court, ended up with consumers being proven right.
