Forest River Manufacturing overtime rate miscalculation $395K class action settlement

Forest River Manufacturing has set up a fund of $395,000 as part of a class action lawsuit settlement resolving claims the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA. 

The class action lawsuit settlement applies to all current and former Forest River Manufacturing employees who previously joined the settlement and who worked as manufacturing employees in the United States, who were paid primarily on a piece-rate basis and who worked more than 40 hours in at least one work week beginning Feb. 11, 2018, through to the final disposition of the case.

The lawsuit alleged Forest River miscalculated the overtime rate of pay for employee Heather Fitzgerald and other similarly situated workers, underpaying them, in violation of the FLSA.

Forest River Manufacturing is an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, utility trailers, pontoon boats and buses. It employs about 11,000 people.

The defendant denies it violated the law and claims it properly compensated the employees in the class, saying the settlement is merely a means to avoid further litigation and expense.

Workers who submit a properly completed claim form by the deadline will be eligible for a settlement payment of at least $100, court documents show. The amount each person gets will be based on their pro rata share of the net settlement fund based on the number of workweeks they were paid on a piece-rate basis only. Claimants will be sent a check on or around Oct. 13, 2023. 

Class members who do not sign and return the claim form and release will not participate in the settlement and will not receive any payment. 

No opt-out or objection options are mentioned in the settlement notice.

The final hearing date was not available.

The deadline for class members to complete their consent and release forms is July 31, 2023. 

Who’s Eligible

The settlement applies to all current and former employees of the company who previously joined the settlement and who worked as manufacturing employees in the United States, who were paid primarily on a piece rate basis and who worked more than forty hours in at least one work week beginning Feb. 11, 2018, and continuing through the final disposition of the case.

Potential Award

At least $100

Proof of Purchase

The claim form asks for a claimant’s full name and contact details.

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

7/31/2023

Case Name

Heather Fitzgerald, et al. v. Forest River Manufacturing LLC, Case No. 3:20cv-01004-DRL-MGG in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

Final Hearing

N/A

Settlement Website

ForestRiverFLSASettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Fitzgerald v Forest River Manufacturing LLC
c/o Atticus Administration
PO Box 64053
St. Paul, MN 55164
ForestRiverFLSASettlement@atticusadmin.com
800-214-9556

Class Counsel

Hans A Nilges 
NILGES DRAHER LLC

Robert P Kondras Jr. 
HASSLER KONDRAS MILLER LLP

Robi Baishnab
NILGES DRAHER LLC

Matthew J P Coffman 
COFFMAN LEGAL LLC

Defense Counsel

Michael C Terrell
Blake J Burgan
TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP

Rachel L Schaller 
Andrew S Murphy 
TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP