Feldman v. UTZ Quality Foods, LLC

Background

The court received the defendants’ notice that the California Superior Court had given final approval to a nationwide class-action settlement in a related proceeding involving Good Health Natural Products, Inc. The California court found that the settlement notice was adequate and satisfied due-process requirements. It also found that no class members had objected or opted out, so all class members were bound by the settlement agreement, including its release of claims.

Feldman argued that he did not receive notice of the settlement. The court stated, however, that he could not claim he was unaware of the settlement or the process for opting out. The court had previously recognized the July 5, 2019 deadline for requesting exclusion and told Feldman that, unless he submitted proof of opting out, it would assume he remained in the settlement class.

Ruling

The court concluded that Feldman never opted out of the nationwide settlement and was therefore bound by its terms, including the release. Citing Second Circuit precedent, the court rejected the idea that a class member should receive another opportunity to opt out after the settlement terms were announced. Judge Ronnie Abrams ordered that the action be dismissed with prejudice.

Effect

The order ended Feldman’s action based on the binding settlement and its release. The opinion does not separately describe the claims’ underlying merits.