Broiler chicken grower antitrust $17.75M class action settlement

Sanderson Farms agreed to a $17.75 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve litigation over claims it violated federal antitrust laws by working with other chicken companies to short-change broiler chicken growers.

The settlement benefits individuals and entities who were paid for broiler grow-out services by any defendant or alleged co-conspirator between Jan. 27, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2019.

Defendants in the case are Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue, Koch and Sanderson Farms. 

Alleged co-conspirators in the case are Agri Stats Inc., Foster Farms, Mountaire Farms, Wayne Farms, George’s Inc., Peco Foods Inc., House of Raeford Farms, Simmons Foods, Keystone Foods Fieldale Farms Corp., O.K. Industries, Case Foods, Marshall Durbin Companies, Amick Farms Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry Inc., Harrison Poultry Inc., Claxton Poultry Farms and Norman W. Fries Inc.

According to the class action lawsuit from broiler chicken growers, Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue, Koch and Sanderson Farms violated antitrust laws by conspiring together to suppress the value of chicken growing services. As a result of this alleged scheme, broiler chicken growers were compensated at a lower rate than they would have been in a competitive market, the growers claim. 

Sanderson Farms is a chicken company that sells various chicken cuts. Like other chicken sellers, Sanderson Farms contracts broiler chicken growers to raise chickens.

Sanderson hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $17.75 million settlement to resolve the broiler chicken antitrust class action lawsuit claims. Other settlements have been reached in the same case with Koch, Tyson and others. 

Under the terms of the settlement, broiler chicken growers can receive a share of the settlement fund based on the amount they received in payments from the defendants for broiler grow-out services. Growers who received a larger share of these payments will receive a larger share of the net settlement fund.  

The deadline for exclusion and objection is July 31, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the broiler chicken growers antitrust settlement is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Dec. 13, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals and entities who were paid for broiler grow-out services by any defendant or alleged co-conspirator between Jan. 27, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2019.

Defendants: Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue, Koch and Sanderson Farms. 

Alleged co-conspirators: Agri Stats Inc., Foster Farms, Mountaire Farms, Wayne Farms, George’s Inc., Peco Foods Inc., House of Raeford Farms, Simmons Foods, Keystone Foods Fieldale Farms Corp., O.K. Industries, Case Foods, Marshall Durbin Companies, Amick Farms Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry Inc., Harrison Poultry Inc., Claxton Poultry Farms and Norman W. Fries Inc.

Potential Award

Varies.

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of payments received for broiler grow-out services.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/13/2023

Case Name

In re: Broiler Chicken Grower Antitrust Litigation (No. II), Case No. 6:20-2977-RJS-CMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma

Final Hearing

08/25/2023

Settlement Website

BroilerGrowersAntitrustSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

In re Broiler Chicken Grower Antitrust Litigation (Sanderson Settlement)
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[email protected]
833-907-3700

Class Counsel

Eric L Cramer
Patrick F Madden
David A Langer
Ellen T Noteware
Michaela L Wallin
BERGER MONTAGUE PC

Michael D Hausfeld
James J Pizzirusso
Melinda R Coolidge
Samantha S Derksen
Gary I Smith Jr
Kyle G Bates
HAUSFELD LLP

Defense Counsel

Christopher E Ondeck
PROSKAUER ROSE LLP