Boza v. GRJ Construction Corp

Background

Edison Boza brought an action for damages against GRJ Construction Corp. under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal wage-and-hour law, and the New York Labor Law. The parties jointly asked the court to approve their settlement agreement and submitted a fully executed copy on June 13, 2022.

Settlement Review

The court explained that a federal court must review an FLSA settlement to determine whether it is fair and reasonable and resulted from arm’s-length negotiation rather than employer overreaching. The court reviewed the settlement agreement and the parties’ letter. It considered the prior proceedings, the risks, burdens, and costs of continuing the case, the possible range of recovery, whether the agreement resulted from arm’s-length bargaining, the attorney-fee amount, and the possibility of fraud or collusion.

The court also noted that the agreement contained no confidentiality restriction or non-disparagement provision, limited the release to wage-and-hour claims, and provided attorney fees within a fair, reasonable, and acceptable range. Based on all the circumstances, the court found the settlement fair and reasonable and approved it.

Disposition

Judge Robert W. Lehrburger ordered that the case, having been resolved by settlement, be dismissed and discontinued in its entirety, with prejudice, without costs or fees to any party except as provided in the settlement agreement. The clerk was directed to terminate all motions and deadlines and close the case.