News in Brief July 12 – Hyundai, Rosa Mexicano and More

Rosa Mexicano Under Fire for Possible Labor Law Violations

Rosa Mexicano was hit with a putative class action alleging that the popular, upscale restaurant chain fails to pay its workers properly. The suit claims that employees weren’t paid overtime, were forced to share tips with non-tipped employees, and didn’t receive the minimum wage. The suit aims to represent a nationwide class of Rosa Mexicano workers who were classified as tipped employees.

Hyundai Settles Engine Failure Suit

Hyundai has agreed to settle a proposed class action lawsuit that claimed 2011-2014 Sonata models suffered from an engine defect that dealers refused to replace under drivers’ warranties. The suit claimed that the cars suffered from a host of problems, including check engine light issues, strange noises from the engine, and seizing or stalling of the engine. Hyundai says it will reimburse drivers for the cost of engine block replacements or repairs, as well as related expenses, so long as the work was done within 10 years or 120,000 miles of the vehicle’s purchase or lease date.

AmeriFirst Settles with California Workers in Wage and Hour Case

AmeriFirst Financial, Inc. has agreed to pay out just over $1 million to settle claims that it deprived California workers of adequate meal and rest breaks, overtime pay and wages. The amount each worker will receive from the settlement depends on his or her number of shifts. The class is made up of approximately 350 non-exempt employees who worked for AmeriFirst in California between February 20, 2011 and July 26, 2016.

Pet Food Company Gets Final Approval on Settlement

A New Jersey federal judge has granted final approval to a $500,000 settlement that will resolve a class action lawsuit against pet food company The Nutro Co. The settlement will put to rest claims that the company, which is a subsidiary of Mars Inc., advertised its Ultra food products as containing probiotics when they actually didn’t. Class members will get to choose between a $2 refund or $5 gift card. They also have the option of donating a $5 bag of dog food to an animal shelter or charity.