UPDATE 5/16/2017—A federal district court has granted final approval of the $7.5 million class action settlement in Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., an action brought by former Walmart associate Jacqueline Cote and her lawyers, including Outten & Golden LLP, challenging Walmart’s lack of health insurance benefits for same-sex spouses of Walmart associates prior to 2014.
More information on the Settlement can be found here.
The $7.5 million proposed settlement will pay for claims by Walmart associates in the United States and Puerto Rico that they were unable to obtain health insurance coverage for their same-sex spouses from Walmart from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2013, as well as the costs of administering the settlement and legal fees and expenses. In 2014, Walmart voluntarily made the same health insurance benefits available to same-sex spouses of its associates that it offered to opposite-sex spouses. As part of the proposed settlement, Walmart commits to continuing to do so in the future.
If you would like to know more about your rights, we would be happy to speak with you. Please contact: Adam T. Klein at @email or call (516) 788-6824 for more information.
Outten & Golden is serving as co-counsel in this action with GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Arnold & Porter LLP.
Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - Preliminary Approval Motion
Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - Class Certification Motion
Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - Settlement Agreement
Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - Press Release
Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - Settlement Order
(*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.)