$924K Ecoshield Noncompete Covenant Settlement, Are You Eligible for $1,255? How to Get Your Payment?

The Ecoshield Settlement is a Washington State employment class action in which eligible current and former Ecoshield employees can receive approximately $1,255.11 without filing a claim form, before the May 26, 2026 opt-out deadline at tscmsettlement.com. Plaintiff Dylon Dykstra alleged that Ecoshield required lower-wage workers to sign noncompete agreements that violated Washington State law. The settlement is currently pending final court approval on July 24, 2026.

Quick Facts

FieldDetail
Settlement Amount$924,000 (Common Fund)
Claim DeadlineNo claim form required — payment mailed automatically after final approval
Who QualifiesCurrent and former Ecoshield employees in Washington who earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage between March 14, 2021, and March 10, 2026
Payout Per PersonEstimated $1,255.11 (equal share of Class Fund after fees and costs)
Proof RequiredNo
Settlement StatusPreliminarily approved — Final Approval Hearing set for July 24, 2026
AdministratorSimpluris, Inc.
Official Websitetscmsettlement.com
Last UpdatedApril 23, 2026

Current Status & What Happens Next

  • The settlement has received preliminary approval from Judge Nikole Hecklinger of King County Superior Court.
  • The opt-out and objection deadline is May 26, 2026 — after this date you cannot remove yourself from the class.
  • The Final Approval Hearing is July 24, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. before Judge Hecklinger at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington (remote attendance available via Zoom).
  • If the court grants final approval, eligible class members who did not opt out will receive a settlement check in the mail. Settlement checks expire and become void 180 days after issuance.

What Is the Ecoshield Lawsuit About? Dykstra v. The Shield Co Management, LLC, No. 24-2-05701-3 KNT

Plaintiff Dylon Dykstra filed this class action against The Shield Co Management, LLC, doing business as Ecoshield Management Co, LLC, in King County Superior Court, Washington State. Dykstra alleged that Ecoshield required its employees to sign noncompetition covenants — contract clauses that restrict a worker from taking a second job or working for a competitor — in violation of RCW 49.62.070, Washington State’s noncompetition covenant law.

RCW 49.62.070 is a Washington State statute that prohibits employers from enforcing noncompete agreements against employees who earn less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage. The law recognizes that lower-wage workers have limited bargaining power and should not be locked into employment restrictions that could prevent them from finding additional income or better-paying work.

Ecoshield denies any wrongdoing and the court has made no determination on the merits of the claims. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation, and to deliver compensation to affected workers now rather than years later — if ever.

Who Is Eligible for the Ecoshield Settlement?

Ecoshield’s own employment records determine eligibility. You may qualify if:

  • You worked for Ecoshield (The Shield Co Management, LLC dba Ecoshield Management Co, LLC) in the state of Washington
  • Your employment falls within the class period: March 14, 2021, through March 10, 2026
  • You earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage during that period
  • You have been identified in Ecoshield’s records as a qualifying employee (you should have received a Notice in the mail)

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the Settlement Administrator at 1-888-369-3780 or [email protected]. If your mailing address has changed, you must update it with Simpluris immediately or you may not receive your check.

How Much Money Can You Get from the Ecoshield Settlement?

All Settlement Class Members who do not exclude themselves from the Settlement are eligible to receive an equal share of the Class Fund, with an estimated payment amount of $1,255.11. Every eligible class member receives the same amount — there are no tiers and no proof of loss is required.

The $924,000 Common Fund covers the class payments, attorneys’ fees of $308,000, litigation costs of $5,000, and a $25,000 service award for lead plaintiff Dylon Dykstra. These deductions are all subject to final court approval. Settlement payments are characterized as non-wage damages and will be reported on a 1099 form — meaning federal income tax withholding will not be automatically applied, but recipients may owe taxes on the payment depending on their individual tax situation.

This settlement follows a growing pattern of Washington State workers reclaiming wages and benefits under RCW 49.62

$924K Ecoshield Noncompete Covenant Settlement, Are You Eligible for $1,255? How to Get Your Payment?

Step-by-Step: How to Receive Your Ecoshield Settlement Payment

No claim form is required. Here is what eligible class members need to do:

  1. Confirm your eligibility — Check that you worked for Ecoshield in Washington between March 14, 2021, and March 10, 2026, earning less than twice the state minimum hourly wage
  2. Update your mailing address — Contact Simpluris at 1-888-369-3780 or [email protected] if your address has changed since your Notice was mailed
  3. Do nothing — If you qualify and do not opt out, you will automatically remain in the class and receive a check by mail after final approval
  4. Watch for your check — After the July 24, 2026 hearing and any appeals, Simpluris will mail payment to your address on file
  5. Cash your check promptly — All Settlement payments will expire and become void 180 days after the date of issuance
  6. Keep your confirmation — Save any correspondence from Simpluris as a record of your participation

Estimated time to complete: Less than 5 minutes if your address is already on file.

Important Deadlines & Dates

MilestoneDate
Lawsuit FiledMarch 14, 2024 (Case No. 24-2-05701-3 KNT)
Class Period BeginsMarch 14, 2021
Class Period EndsMarch 10, 2026
Preliminary Approval GrantedTBD — exact date not published on official settlement site as of April 23, 2026
Opt-Out DeadlineMay 26, 2026
Objection DeadlineMay 26, 2026
Final Approval HearingJuly 24, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. — King County Superior Court, Kent, WA
Expected Payment DateTBD — checks mailed after final approval and resolution of any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to receive my settlement payment? 

No. Class Counsel — Timothy Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, and Paul Cipriani of Emery Reddy, PC in Seattle — already represent the entire class. You do not need to hire your own attorney to receive your estimated $1,255.11 payment. If you want independent representation at the July 24, 2026 hearing, you may hire your own attorney at your own cost.

Is the Ecoshield settlement legitimate? 

Yes. The settlement in Dykstra v. The Shield Co Management, LLC, Case No. 24-2-05701-3 KNT, was authorized by King County Superior Court Judge Nikole Hecklinger. The official settlement website at tscmsettlement.com is administered by Simpluris, Inc., a nationally recognized class action administrator. Washington State Superior Court authorized the notice that class members received.

When will I receive my payment?

 Payments will be mailed after the Final Approval Hearing on July 24, 2026 and after all appeals or additional reviews are completed. The exact payment date depends on how quickly the court processes final approval. Monitor tscmsettlement.com for updates.

What if I miss the opt-out deadline?

 Any potential Settlement Class Member who does not request exclusion by May 26, 2026 will be a Settlement Class Member, will be considered to have accepted the release, and will not be able to file a separate lawsuit against Ecoshield for the claims resolved in this settlement. If you want to preserve your right to sue separately, you must opt out in writing by that date.

Will my settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Possibly. Settlement payments are characterized as non-wage damages and will be reported on a 1099 form. This means Ecoshield will not withhold taxes from your check, but the payment may count as taxable income depending on your individual situation. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure how this affects your return.

What is a noncompetition covenant and why is it illegal in this case? 

A noncompetition covenant is a contract clause that restricts an employee from working for a competitor or taking a second job. Under Washington State law — specifically RCW 49.62.070 — employers cannot enforce noncompete agreements against employees who earn less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage. Dykstra alleged Ecoshield applied these covenants to lower-wage workers in violation of this statute.

What happens if I do nothing?

 If you do nothing and the Court approves the Settlement, you will still be in the Settlement Class, receive a payment in the mail, and be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court. Doing nothing is a valid choice here — it means you accept the settlement and will receive your check automatically.

Can Ecoshield retaliate against me for participating? 

No. Ecoshield fully supports the Settlement and will not retaliate in any way against any Settlement Class Member for participating. Your decision to participate, not participate, or object will not affect your employment or Ecoshield’s treatment of you as a current or former employee.

Sources & References

  • Official Settlement Website (Simpluris, Inc., court-authorized): https://tscmsettlement.com
  • Settlement FAQ — Dykstra v. The Shield Co Management, LLC, Case No. 24-2-05701-3 KNT: https://tscmsettlement.com/faq/
  • King County Superior Court — Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 4th Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official settlement administrator website (tscmsettlement.com, administered by Simpluris, Inc.) 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. Settlement approval is pending a Final Approval Hearing on July 24, 2026, and no payments will be issued until the court grants final approval. For advice regarding your particular situation, consult a qualified 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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