+ 1. What is the lawsuit about?

Plaintiffs Alicia Lovato, Kristian Orphe, Francisco Perez, and Mario Perez, on their behalf, and on behalf of other current and former non-exempt employees, allege that Defendant violated California state labor laws as a result of its alleged failure to, among other things: (1) pay minimum and overtime wages to employees for all hours worked; (2) provide employees with meal and rest breaks; (3) timely pay all wages owed to employees during each pay period and upon termination of their employment; and (4) provide employees with accurate, itemized wage statements.

+ 2. What is a class action lawsuit?

In a class action one or more people called “Class Representatives” (in this case, Alicia Lovato, Kristian Orphe, Francisco Perez, and Mario Perez) sue on behalf of people who have similar claims. All of these people or entities are a “Class” or “Class Members.” One court resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class.

+ 3. Why is there a settlement?

After the exchange of relevant information and evidence, the parties agreed to enter into settlement negotiations in an attempt to informally resolve the claims in the case. The parties were able to negotiate a complete settlement of Plaintiffs’ claims. On December 3, 2020, the Honorable Amy D. Hogue of the Los Angeles County Superior Court granted preliminary approval of this class action settlement and ordered the litigants to notify all Class Members of the settlement.

+ 4. How do I know if I am part of the settlement?

All current and former non-exempt, hourly-paid employees, including seasonal employees, who worked for Defendant Party City Corporation (“Defendant” or “Party City”) in California during the period from May 28, 2009 through October 27, 2017 are part of the Settlement.

+ 5. What does the Settlement provide?

Plaintiffs and Defendant have agreed to settle the underlying class claims in exchange for a Class Settlement Amount of $6,500,000, which consists of $4,862,150 in monetary consideration and $1,637,850 in Party City store credit.

+ 6. What are my options if I am a class member?

If you are a Class Member, you have four options under the Settlement. First, if you want to receive your payment from the settlement, then no further action is required on your part. Second, if you do not want to participate in the settlement, you may exclude yourself from participating by submitting a written request to the Settlement Administrator by April 8, 2021. The class notice explains how to exclude yourself from the settlement. Third, if you decide to object to the settlement because you find it unfair or unreasonable, you may submit a written objection stating why you object to the Settlement by April 8, 2021, or you may instead appear at the Final Fairness Hearing to object to the Settlement. The class notice explains how to object to the settlement. Fourth, dispute the workweek information contained in your notice by contacting the Settlement Administrator and providing documentation supporting your dispute by April 8, 2021. The class notice explains how to dispute Defendant’s records.

+ 7. Do I have a lawyer in this case?

The attorneys appointed by the Court to represent the class are Capstone Law APC, Barrera & Associates, Asaf Law APC, and the Law Offices of Joshua Cohen Slatkin, Inc. (collectively, “Class Counsel”).

+ 8. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the Settlement?

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on June 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Superior Court of the State of California, for the County of Los Angeles.