$1.96M Blue Origin Pay Transparency Class Action Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim?

The Blue Origin EPOA Settlement is a pay transparency class action where eligible job applicants can receive an equal share of a $1,964,300 common fund — with no claim form required — as long as they do not exclude themselves before May 22, 2026. Plaintiff John Milito sued Blue Origin Washington, LLC and related Blue Origin entities, alleging their Washington job postings failed to disclose wage scales or salary ranges in violation of Washington state law. King County Superior Court has preliminarily approved the settlement.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$1,964,300 (Common Fund)
Claim Deadline	No claim form required — you must only ensure the Settlement Administrator has your current mailing address before final approval
Who Qualifies	Individuals who applied for a job opening in Washington with any Blue Origin entity between January 1, 2023, and March 9, 2026, through a posting that did not disclose the wage scale or salary range, and who did not sign an arbitration agreement with Blue Origin
Payout Per Person	TBD — equal share of the Class Fund divided among all participating class members (approximately 1,511 identified class members per settlement agreement)
Proof Required	No — no claim form or documentation required; payment is automatic for non-excluded members
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved — pending final approval by King County Superior Court
Administrator	Simpluris, Inc. — Milito v. Blue Origin, LLC, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799 · (855) 842-4501 · [email protected]
Official Website	epoasettlementboi.com
Last Updated	April 23, 2026

Current Status & What Happens Next

• Preliminary approval granted. Judge Ken Schubert of King County Superior Court has conditionally certified the settlement class and authorized notice to be sent. Class members do not need to file a claim form — payment is automatic for those who remain in the class.
• Key opt-out and objection deadline is May 22, 2026. This is the only deadline that requires action. If you want to preserve your right to sue Blue Origin separately, you must mail a valid exclusion request by that date.
• Final approval hearing scheduled for July 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The hearing will take place in Courtroom W-813 at King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, and is also accessible remotely via Zoom at kingcounty.zoom.us/j/85190398101.

What Is the Blue Origin Lawsuit About? Milito v. Blue Origin, LLC, et al., No. 24-2-13897-8 SEA

Plaintiff John Milito filed this class action on June 20, 2024, in King County Superior Court against Blue Origin Washington, LLC (formerly Blue Origin, LLC), Blue Origin International, LLC, Blue Origin Holdings, L.P., Blue Origin Holdings GP, LLC, and Blue Origin Enterprises, L.P. The lawsuit alleges these entities violated the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA), RCW 49.58.110, which requires employers to disclose the wage scale or salary range — and a general description of benefits — in all job postings for positions located in Washington State.

When job seekers applied to Blue Origin’s Washington-based positions, the postings allegedly omitted this legally required compensation information. The EPOA’s pay transparency requirement exists to address wage inequality by ensuring all applicants — regardless of gender, race, or background — enter salary negotiations from an equal starting point. Consumers and workers who applied without knowing the pay range could not evaluate whether a position met their needs or negotiate from a position of informed consent.

The parties agreed to settle after the Washington Supreme Court took up a certified question in a related pay transparency case, Branson v. Washington Fine Wines & Spirits, LLC, creating litigation uncertainty that both sides sought to avoid. Blue Origin denies all allegations, denies any wrongdoing or liability, and maintains that it complied with the law at all times. Class counsel is Timothy W. Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, and Paul Cipriani of Emery Reddy, PLLC, based in Seattle, Washington.

Who Is Eligible for the Blue Origin Settlement?

You may qualify if you applied for a job opening in Washington State with any of the Blue Origin entities named in the lawsuit.

You may qualify if your application was submitted between January 1, 2023, and March 9, 2026 (the Settlement Class Period).

You may qualify if the job posting you responded to did not disclose the wage scale or salary range for the position.

You may qualify if you applied through Blue Origin’s website or an authorized third-party recruiting platform.

You may not qualify if you signed an arbitration agreement with any of the Blue Origin defendants — arbitration agreement signatories are expressly excluded from the settlement class.

You may not qualify if you submit a valid opt-out request by May 22, 2026 — doing so removes you from the class and forfeits your payment.

No claim form is required. If you received a settlement notice, Defendants’ records already identify you as a class member. To ensure you receive your payment, confirm that Simpluris has your current mailing address by contacting them at (855) 842-4501 or [email protected]. You may also submit the Address Form enclosed with your notice by mail or email.

How Much Money Can You Get from the Blue Origin Settlement?

The total Common Fund is $1,964,300. From that amount, the court may award class counsel up to $654,766.66 in attorneys’ fees (one-third of the Common Fund), plus up to $10,000 in costs and expenses. Plaintiff John Milito may receive a service award of up to $25,000 for serving as class representative. Settlement administration costs will not exceed $30,000 per the settlement agreement. All of these amounts are paid from the Common Fund before class member distributions.

The remaining Class Fund — what is left after fees, costs, and the service award — will be divided equally among all participating class members. The settlement agreement identifies approximately 1,511 Settlement Class Members. Using conservative estimates based on maximum deductions, the Class Fund would be approximately $1,274,534, which would yield a per-person payment of roughly $844 if all 1,511 members participate. The actual individual payment depends on the number of class members who opt out and the amounts the court actually awards for fees and costs. Settlement payments are characterized as non-wage damages (1099) — you will receive an IRS Form 1099 for your payment.

Payments not cashed within 180 days of issuance will be sent to the State of Washington under the Washington Unclaimed Property Act (RCW 63.30, et seq.).

Step-by-Step: How to Receive Your Blue Origin Settlement Payment

Step 1 — Check whether you received a settlement notice from Simpluris by mail or email. If you did, Defendants’ records already identify you as a class member.

Step 2 — Confirm your current mailing address with the Settlement Administrator at Simpluris by calling (855) 842-4501 or emailing [email protected], or by mailing the Address Form to: Milito v. Blue Origin, LLC, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Step 3 — Submit the IRS Form W-9 enclosed with your notice to the Settlement Administrator for proper tax reporting. Class members who do not submit a W-9 may be subject to initial withholding prior to payment.

Step 4 — Take no further action if you wish to remain in the class and receive your payment. You do not need to file a claim form.

Step 5 — If you wish to exclude yourself, mail a valid exclusion request postmarked by May 22, 2026 (see Section 8 below for required contents). Do not do this if you want to receive a payment.

Step 6 — Watch for your settlement payment by mail after the Court grants final approval. Cash your check within 180 days of issuance — uncashed checks become void.

Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes.

Important Deadlines & Dates

Milestone	Date
Settlement Agreement Executed	September 23, 2025
Complaint Filed	June 20, 2024
Preliminary Approval Order	TBD — exact date not published on official settlement website; court has conditionally certified the class
Notice Mailing	TBD — within 14 days after Defendants provide the Class List to the Settlement Administrator following preliminary approval
Opt-Out Deadline	May 22, 2026
Objection Deadline	May 22, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	July 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., Courtroom W-813, King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Expected Payment Date	TBD — approximately 14 days after Defendants fund the settlement, which occurs 30 days after the Effective Date (approximately 31 days after final approval, assuming no appeal)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? 

No — and there is no claim form to file. The Court appointed Timothy W. Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, and Paul Cipriani of Emery Reddy, PLLC in Seattle to represent all class members at no cost to you. You can reach class counsel at (206) 442-9106 if you have questions about your rights.

Is this settlement legitimate?

Yes. Milito v. Blue Origin, LLC, et al., Case No. 24-2-13897-8 SEA is a real case pending before Judge Ken Schubert in King County Superior Court, Washington. The settlement administrator is Simpluris, Inc. The only official settlement website is epoasettlementboi.com. Simpluris is also administering this case’s companion settlement, the Sportsman’s Warehouse UFA Settlement.

When will I receive my payment? 

After the Final Approval Hearing on July 10, 2026, the Court will enter a final approval order. Assuming no appeals, the Effective Date arrives approximately 31 days later. Defendants then have 30 days to fund the settlement. Simpluris will mail checks within 14 days of receiving the funds — meaning payments could arrive as early as late September or October 2026. Cash your check within 180 days of issuance.

What if I missed the opt-out deadline? 

The opt-out deadline is May 22, 2026. If you do not submit a valid exclusion request by that date, you remain in the settlement class, receive your payment, and release your claims against Blue Origin related to the EPOA job posting violations covered by this lawsuit. There is no separate claim deadline — non-exclusion is automatic participation.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Yes — your settlement payment is classified as non-wage damages and will be reported on an IRS Form 1099, not a W-2. This means federal and Washington state taxes may apply depending on your individual situation. Submit your IRS Form W-9 to Simpluris to ensure accurate reporting and avoid backup withholding. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

What exactly does Washington’s EPOA require employers to disclose?

 The Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, RCW 49.58.110, requires employers in Washington to include the wage scale or salary range and a general description of all benefits in every job posting. The law applies to both internal and external postings for positions located in Washington. The statute’s goal is to reduce wage disparities by giving all applicants equal access to compensation information before they apply or negotiate.

Can Blue Origin retaliate against me for participating? 

No. Blue Origin explicitly stated in the settlement agreement that it will not retaliate against any class member for participating in, objecting to, or excluding themselves from this settlement. Your decision will not affect your status as a current or former Blue Origin employee or applicant.

What happens to uncashed checks? 

Settlement checks expire 180 days after issuance. Any uncashed funds will be sent by Simpluris to the State of Washington under the Washington Unclaimed Property Act (RCW 63.30, et seq.) — they are not returned to Blue Origin. You can claim uncashed funds from the state through Washington’s unclaimed property program.

Sources & References

1. Official Settlement Website: epoasettlementboi.com
2. Official Settlement Agreement: cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/BMO6/SETTLEMENT_AGREEMENT
3. Court: King County Superior Court, State of Washington — Milito v. Blue Origin, LLC, et al., Case No. 24-2-13897-8 SEA, before Judge Ken Schubert

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official settlement website (epoasettlementboi.com) and the fully executed Settlement Agreement (signed September 23, 2025) on April 23, 2026. Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.