How to file a claim – NBC Chicago

Rana AdamApril 5, 2024

23 3 minutes read

Walmart shoppers could receive an unexpected amount of money in a new class action settlement.

If you purchased weighted merchandise or bagged citrus between October 2018 and January 2024, you may be eligible for a settlement check. Eager to learn if you qualify? Here’s everything you need to know.

What does the lawsuit say?

The class action lawsuit claims Walmart customers “paid more than the lowest advertised in-store price” on the following products:

Items sold by weight (otherwise known as “weighted goods”), including meat, poultry, pork, and seafood.
Select organic oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and navel oranges sold in bulk in plastic or mesh bags (otherwise known as “bagged citrus”).

The lawsuit, obtained by TODAY.com, outlines four ways Walmart operated an “allegedly deceptive pricing scheme.” The document claims the retailer “falsely inflates product weight” on weighed products and “mislabels bagged product weight.”

For products sold by weight in liquidation, “the total amount invoiced at the point of sale is greater than the announced unit price multiplied by the weight of the product”.

Finally, the suit alleges that the unit price indicated on the label of seafood products sold by weight “is significantly lower than the unit price charged to consumers at the register.”

How did Walmart respond to the lawsuit?

A Walmart spokesperson shared the following statement with TODAY.com: “We will continue to offer our customers everyday low prices to help them save money on the products they want and need. We still deny the allegations, but we believe a settlement is in the best interest of both parties.”

Who is entitled to a cash payment of the settlement?

Walmart agreed to pay $45 million to its customers, with some shoppers receiving up to $500.

Any Walmart customer who purchased weighed produce and/or bagged citrus fruits while shopping in person at a Walmart store, supercenter, or neighborhood market in the United States or Puerto Rico between October 19, 2018 and October 19 January 2024 (the settlement period) may be eligible for a cash payment.

How much money will you receive?

Payment amounts vary depending on what you purchased during the settlement period.

“Additionally, the amount a Settlement Class Member will receive depends on the number of individuals who submit valid claim forms, as all amounts are subject to potential pro-rata increase or decrease and further distribution “, we can read on the regulation website.

Here are the possible amounts for cash payments:

$10: If you do not have proof of purchase but certify that you purchased up to 50 weighed merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
$15: If you do not have proof of purchase but attest to having purchased between 51 and 75 weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
$20: If you do not have proof of purchase but attest to having purchased between 76 and 100 weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruits in person during the checkout period.
$25: If you do not have proof of purchase but attest to having purchased 101 or more weighted merchandise and/or bagged citrus in person during the checkout period.
Up to $500: If you have proof of purchase for each weighed merchandise and/or bagged citrus fruit you purchased in person during the checkout period and you have the amount you paid for each item, you will receive 2% of the “cost total justified weighted merchandise”. Purchased bagged merchandise and citrus fruits,” up to $500.

If you don’t have your receipts handy, you may be able to grab them from Walmart’s website.