Tampa, Florida – Walmart has agreed to a $45 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit, resolving allegations of deceptive practices impacting customers nationwide. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, accused the retail giant of overcharging for certain weighted goods, such as meat, poultry, pork, seafood products, and bagged citrus. Customers who made purchases in-store at Walmart locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico between Oct. 19, 2018, and Jan. 19, 2024 may be eligible for cash payments.

The lawsuit claimed that Walmart falsely inflated the weight of grocery items, misrepresented the weight of bagged produce like oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines, and overcharged for clearance products sold by weight. Walmart has consistently denied these allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation.

According to the terms of the settlement, eligible customers have until May 22 to exclude themselves, object, or comment on the settlement. They have until June 5 to submit a claim online or by mail. A final settlement approval hearing is scheduled for June 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.

The amount each customer receives will depend on the number of eligible products purchased, whether proof of purchase is provided, and if receipts are still available. Customers with proof of purchase can receive 2% of the total cost of weighted goods and bagged citrus, with a cap of $500 per person. Customers without receipts can receive between $10 and $25, based on the number of products purchased during the specified period.

Settlement payments, if there are no appeals, will be processed after the final approval hearing. Payments will be made electronically through Venmo, Zelle, ACH, or a virtual prepaid Mastercard. Customers can also request paper checks, although the administrator warns that processing times may vary.

The website advises customers to be patient, as it may take several months for the settlement to become final and for claims to be processed. Eligible customers are encouraged to take the necessary steps to secure their potential cash payments from Walmart.