SETTLEMENT APPROVED
We filed suit against American Ambulette & American Service, Inc., Coastline Care, Inc., Eastern Shore Acquisition Corporation, Eastern Shore Ambulance, Inc, Marmac Transportation Services, Inc., Transmed, LLC, Enhanced Equity Funds, Enhanced Equity Fund II, and Ambulance Holdings, LLC (“FirstMed EMS”) on December 6, 2013. We sought to recover 60 days wages and benefits for former employees under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (“WARN”) Act. Importantly, we contended FirstMed EMS ordered mass layoffs on or about December 6, 2013. And did so, without providing its employees with advance written notice.
The Court on September 28, 2017, granted final approval of a class settlement of up to $2.6 million against the non-Debtor and Debtors on behalf of the certified WARN class. This amount is inclusive of class counsel’s fees and expenses. Subsequently, on December 28, 2017, the first distribution of $1.8 million, net of attorneys’ fees and expenses, was mailed by the settlement administrator to class members.
On April 17, 2020, the settlement administrator mailed the second and final WARN distribution of $800,000. Again, this settlement distribution was net of attorneys’ fees and expenses to class members. Class members had 180 days from the date of issuance of the WARN settlement checks to deposit or negotiate them. Uncashed checks were donated to a non-profit organization.
Separate from the WARN settlement, the FirstMed EMS Chapter Trustee will be making a distribution to employees for unpaid wages and accrued vacation.
WARN ACT
Raisner Roupinian LLP will provide you with information regarding your rights in this WARN class action. The federal WARN Act requires companies with 100+ full-time employees to provide them with 60 days’ written notice in advance of a mass layoff or plant closing. Notably, certain states also have WARN Acts.
Without the required notice, an employer may be liable for 60 days’ wages and benefits to each affected employee.
CONTACT US
Please contact Raisner Roupinian LLP with any questions regarding this matter. Or, to update your address, email address, and/or telephone number.