Beef Class Action Lawsuit, Did You Buy Beef Between 2014-2019? You Could Get Cash From This $87.5 Million Price-Fixing Settlement
Beef class action lawsuit alleges JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef conspired to fix prices and reduce competition from 2014-2019, artificially inflating beef costs for consumers. Tyson settled for $55 million and Cargill for $32.5 million ($87.5M total). If you bought beef in 27 states between August 2014-December 2019, you can file a claim by June 30, 2026 at OverchargedForBeef.com for a pro-rata cash payment.
Ground beef hit a record $6.32 per pound in September 2025—and four companies control 85% of the U.S. beef market. Now President Trump’s DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into these same meat processors for “illicit collusion, price fixing, and price manipulation.” Meanwhile, consumers who overpaid for beef between 2014-2019 can finally claim compensation from two major settlements totaling $87.5 million.
What the Beef Class Action Alleges
The lawsuit claims the “Big Four” beef processors—JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef—violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by coordinating to manipulate beef prices.
Specific allegations include:
Market allocation agreements. Defendants allegedly agreed not to compete for market share, allowing each company to maintain pricing power without fear of competition.
Supply restrictions. Processors allegedly coordinated slaughter line slowdowns and capacity reductions to artificially limit beef supply and drive prices up.
Information sharing. Competitors allegedly exchanged competitively sensitive pricing and production data through third parties, enabling coordinated price increases.
Parallel pricing patterns. Court documents cite suspicious patterns where all four processors raised prices simultaneously despite falling cattle costs—an “inverse relationship” signaling market manipulation.
Between 2015-2019, while cattle prices fell, boxed beef prices increased—squeezing both ranchers and consumers while processors’ profit margins exploded.
Who Settled and Who’s Still Fighting
Settled Defendants:
Tyson Foods – $55 million settlement (consumer indirect purchaser case) Cargill – $32.5 million settlement (consumer indirect purchaser case)
Both companies also agreed to cooperate with ongoing litigation against remaining defendants, providing documents and testimony.
Non-Settling Defendants Still in Litigation:
- JBS USA Food Company
- Swift Beef Company
- JBS Packerland, Inc.
- National Beef Packing Company
JBS reached a separate $52.5 million settlement with direct purchasers (retailers, wholesalers) in 2024, but that doesn’t affect the consumer settlement.
Important: Tyson and Cargill deny all wrongdoing. The court hasn’t ruled they did anything illegal—settlements avoid costly trials without admitting liability.
Who Qualifies for the $87.5 Million Settlement
You’re eligible if you meet ALL these criteria:
✓ Purchased qualifying beef products between August 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019
✓ Bought for personal consumption (feeding yourself, family, or friends—not for resale)
✓ Purchased indirectly (from grocery stores, supermarkets, retailers—not directly from processors)
✓ Live in one of 27 “Repealer Jurisdictions”: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Qualifying beef products:
- Fresh or frozen beef from chuck, loin, rib, or round primal cuts
- All quality grades (prime, choice, select, standard, utility)
- Specialty types (no antibiotics ever, organic, kosher, halal, certified humane)
- Processed forms (ground beef, marinated, seasoned, flavored, breaded, or cooked)
Excluded products: Items containing ingredients other than beef, salt, or water (like beef stew with vegetables).
How Much You’ll Get
Payment amounts depend on how many people file claims and how much beef you purchased.
Payments are pro-rata, meaning the $87.5 million settlement fund gets divided equally among all valid claimants based on their purchases.
Payment calculation: Your proportional share of net settlement funds after deducting administrative costs and attorney fees.
Attorney fees: Up to 25% of the settlement fund ($21.875 million) plus expenses.
Reality check: With potentially millions of claimants, individual payments may range from $10-$100 depending on claim volume. Similar food price-fixing settlements have paid $20-$50 per household.
Compare this to recent class action payouts: Facebook’s $725M settlement averaged $30 per person, while Verizon’s $100M settlement infamously paid as little as $2.37.
How to File Your Claim by June 30, 2026
Deadline: Claims must be postmarked or submitted online by June 30, 2026.
File online: Visit OverchargedForBeef.com and complete the claim form (takes 10-15 minutes)
File by mail: Download claim form from the settlement website or request one by calling 1-877-283-8711
Mail completed forms to: Consumer Indirect Beef Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 3605
Portland, OR 97208-3605
What information you’ll need:
- Your name and contact information
- Confirmation you purchased qualifying beef during the class period
- State(s) where you purchased beef
- Approximate amount/frequency of beef purchases (estimates acceptable)
No receipts required. The claim form allows you to estimate your purchases based on household size and eating habits.
Your Options: Claim, Opt Out, Object, or Do Nothing
Option 1: File a Claim (Recommended)
Submit a claim form by June 30, 2026. You’ll receive payment and release claims against Tyson and Cargill. You can still participate in future settlements with JBS and National Beef.
Option 2: Opt Out
Submit written exclusion request by March 30, 2026. You keep your right to sue Tyson and Cargill independently but get no settlement money. Makes sense only if you have extraordinary individual damages.
Option 3: Object
Submit written objection by March 30, 2026 explaining why you think the settlement is unfair. You’ll still be bound by the settlement but can tell the court your concerns.
Option 4: Do Nothing
You get no payment AND give up your right to sue Tyson and Cargill. Worst option.
Similar to other recent settlements like the $87.5M 23andMe data breach settlement, filing a claim is your only path to compensation.
Settlement Timeline and Status
December 2025: Court granted preliminary approval; notice sent to class members
March 30, 2026: Deadline to opt out or object
May 12, 2026: Final fairness hearing at 11:00 a.m. Central Time (U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota)
June 30, 2026: Claim filing deadline
After final approval: Settlement administrator reviews claims and calculates payments
Payment distribution: Typically 60-180 days after final approval (assuming no appeals)
Important: Don’t expect immediate payment. Distribution can take months after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
DOJ Criminal Investigation Underway
In November 2025, President Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate the Big Four meatpackers for criminal antitrust violations.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the investigation is underway, led by Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
What this means: Criminal investigations can result in:
- Corporate fines up to $100 million per violation
- Individual fines up to $1 million
- Prison sentences up to 10 years for executives
- Additional civil penalties and treble damages
Previous investigations: The DOJ investigated these same companies in 2020 after beef prices soared during the pandemic, but no charges were filed. Consumer advocates hope this investigation produces stronger enforcement.
The Sherman Antitrust Act makes price-fixing a criminal offense, not just grounds for civil lawsuits. Criminal prosecution requires proof of intentional conspiracy, typically through testimony from a cooperating insider or documentary evidence of coordination.
Similar Food Price-Fixing Settlements
The beef case follows a wave of protein industry price-fixing lawsuits:
Chicken price-fixing: Tyson settled for $181 million in 2024; multiple defendants paid over $200 million total
Pork price-fixing: JBS paid $57 million; Tyson settled for $85 million in October 2025
Tuna price-fixing: Major processors paid settlements totaling over $100 million
Pattern: The same defendants (JBS, Tyson, Cargill) appear across multiple protein markets, suggesting industry-wide coordination.
FAQs
Do I need proof of purchase?
No. The claim form accepts estimates based on household size and consumption patterns.
What if I moved between eligible states during 2014-2019?
You can include purchases from all eligible states where you lived.
Can I claim for beef purchased for business use?
No. This settlement covers only indirect purchases for personal consumption. Commercial purchasers may qualify under separate direct purchaser settlements.
What happens to unclaimed funds?
Typically distributed to remaining claimants or donated to consumer protection organizations per court order.
Will my payment be taxable?
Potentially. Consult a tax professional, but class action settlements are generally taxable as income.
Can I file claims for family members?
Yes, if you purchased beef on their behalf during the class period.
The Bottom Line
If you bought beef between August 2014 and December 2019 in one of the 27 eligible states, file your claim at OverchargedForBeef.com before the June 30, 2026 deadline.
Don’t expect a windfall—with millions of potential claimants, your payment may be modest. But it’s your money, and filing takes less than 15 minutes.
The litigation against JBS and National Beef continues. If you file now, you’ll preserve your right to participate in future settlements with those defendants.
File your claim today: www.OverchargedForBeef.com or call 1-877-283-8711
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the beef class action lawsuit settlement. It does not constitute legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, visit the official settlement website at OverchargedForBeef.com or consult with an attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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