Broiler Chicken Growers $35.75M Antitrust Class Action Settlement

Tyson and Perdue agreed to two settlements worth $35.75 million to resolve broiler chicken antitrust class action lawsuit claims they worked together to decrease profits for chicken growers.

The settlements benefit individuals and entities who were paid by Tyson or Perdue to provide broiler grow-out services between Jan. 27, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2019. Broiler grow-out services include raising chickens until they reach slaughtering age under contracts with chicken suppliers.

Broiler chicken growers filed a class action lawsuit against a number of chicken companies, including Tyson, Perdue, Pilgrim’s Pride, Kock, and Sanderson Farms, along with numerous other defendants. According to the plaintiffs, these companies worked together to shortchange chicken growers for broiler grow-out services.

The class action lawsuit contends the companies shared “highly sensitive and confidential compensation rates” with each other in order to suppress competition and drive down compensation rates for growers. In addition, the companies allegedly agreed to not compete with each other for grower services, further manipulating the market.

The broiler chicken class action lawsuit alleged this agreement violated federal antitrust laws and caused broiler chicken growers to be paid less for their services than they would have been in a fair market.

Tyson and Perdue haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the claims against them in broiler chicken class action settlements. 

Tyson agreed to pay $21 million, while Perdue will pay $14.75 million. Other companies in the broiler chicken class action lawsuit are not included in these settlements.

Under the terms of the settlement, broiler chicken growers who provided broiler grow-out services to the defendants or alleged co-conspirators can collect a cash payment. 

There are no estimates for how much these payments will be.

The deadline for exclusion and objection in the settlement has passed.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2022.

A claim form may not be required to benefit from the broiler chicken settlement. 

Eligible broiler chicken growers can receive a payment based on pre-populated payment information if they received a settlement notice with a pre-populated claim form.

However, Class Members have until April 10, 2022, to correct this pre-populated information with a corrected claim form.

Class Members who did not receive a pre-populated claim form with a settlement notice have until April 10, 2022, to complete a claim form and provide supporting documentation along with an estimate of the amount they were paid for broiler grow out services.

All claim forms — both pre-populated and unpopulated — sent to the settlement administrator must be postmarked by April 10, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals and entities who were paid by Tyson or Perdue to provide broiler grow-out services between Jan. 27, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2019. Broiler grow-out services include raising chickens until they reach slaughtering age under contracts with chicken suppliers.

Potential Award

To Be Determined

Proof of Purchase

Additional information may be requested, in order for the Settlement Administrator to process a claim. 

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

04/10/2022

Case Name

In re Broiler Chicken Grower Antitrust Litigation No. II, Case No. 6:20-md-02977-RJS-CMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma

Final Hearing

02/18/2022

Settlement Website

BroilerGrowersAntitrustSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

In re Broiler Chicken Grower Antitrust Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Info@BroilerGrowersAntitrustSettlement.com
833-907-3700

Class Counsel

Eric L. Cramer
BERGER MONTAGUE PC

Melinda R. Coolidge
HAUSFELD LLP

Gary I. Smith, Jr.
HAUSFELD LLP

Defense Counsel

Bradley D. Justus
AXINN VELTROP & HARKRIDER LLP

Eli J. Glasser
EXECUTIVE COUNSEL ANTITRUST AND GLOBAL COMPETITION
TYSON FOODS INC

Lisa Jose Fales
VENABLE LLP