T-Force worker misclassification $15.5M class action settlement

T-Force agreed to pay $15.5 million as part of a lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it misclassified drivers as independent contractors instead of employees.

The settlement benefits California-based individuals who signed an independent contractor and/or owner-operator agreement with Dynamex Operations West Inc., T-Force Final Mile West LLC, TForce Logistics West LLC, BeavEx Inc., JNJW Enterprises Inc., Velocity Express Leasing Inc. or Velocity Express LLC before Dec. 31, 2019, or who signed an owner-operator agreement with Subcontracting Concepts CT LLC after Dec. 31, 2019. 

Drivers must have personally performed at least one delivery in California through Dynamex Operations West, T-Force Final Mile West or T-Force Logistics West between Feb. 15, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2022, and must not have had more than one indirect driver working or associated with them between Feb. 15, 2015, and Nov. 15, 2022.

The driver misclassification class action lawsuit claimed T-Force violated California law by misclassifying truck drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. This alleged misclassification denied drivers minimum wage, overtime, rest periods, expense reimbursement and other benefits, the class action lawsuit contends.

T-Force is a shipping company that offers delivery solutions across the United States and Canada. The company has several locations in California.

T-Force hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $15.5 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the T-Force settlement, class members can receive a cash payment based on the number of workweeks they worked during the class period. 

Each class member will receive a proportional share of the net settlement fund based on this number. Exact payments will vary depending on the number of participating class members and the net settlement fund after various deductions. Class members who received a mailed notice may have been sent a payment estimate.

Twenty percent of each settlement payment will be considered wages for tax purposes, resulting in a W-2 form. Another 20% will be considered interest, resulting in a 1099-INT form. Forty percent of each payment will be considered expense reimbursement, and the remaining 20% will be considered penalties, resulting in a 1099-MISC form. Class members may wish to speak with an accountant or other professional about the tax consequences of these payments.

The deadline for exclusion is Feb. 18, 2023. The deadline for objection is March 20, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for April 3, 2023.

No claim form is required to receive settlement benefits. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive a settlement payment.

Who’s Eligible

California-based individuals who signed an independent contractor and/or owner-operator agreement with Dynamex Operations West Inc., T-Force Final Mile West LLC, TForce Logistics West LLC, BeavEx Inc., JNJW Enterprises Inc., Velocity Express Leasing Inc. or Velocity Express LLC before Dec. 31, 2019, or who signed an owner-operator agreement with Subcontracting Concepts CT LLC after Dec. 31, 2019. 

Drivers must have personally performed at least one delivery in California through Dynamex Operations West, T-Force Final Mile West or T-Force Logistics West between Feb. 15, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2022, and must not have had more than one indirect driver working or associated with them between Feb. 15, 2015, and Nov. 15, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Exclusion Deadline

02/18/2023

Case Name

Lim, et al. v. TForce Logistics LLC, et al., Case No. 19-cv-04390-JAK, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

04/03/2023

Settlement Website

limtforceclassactionsettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Lim, et al. v. TForce Logistics LLC, et al.
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration
PO Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391 
info@limtforceclassactionsettlement.com
833-709-0891

Class Counsel

Joshua Konecky
Nathan Piller
Sarah McCracken
SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY LLP

Defense Counsel

Paul J Marron
Steven C Rice
Paul B Arenas
MARRON LAWYERS APC

Brian D Berry 
Sarah Zenewicz 
MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP