$24.75M Grubhub Driver Misclassification Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim? File Claim Before June 18

Grubhub agreed to pay $24.75 million to resolve a class action representing approximately 60,000 California delivery drivers who alleged the company misclassified them as independent contractors and failed to pay minimum wage. Drivers who completed at least one delivery in California between December 3, 2014, and March 13, 2026, may qualify to submit a claim for a cash payment. The claim deadline is June 18, 2026.

Quick Facts

FieldDetail
Settlement Amount$24,750,000
Claim DeadlineJune 18, 2026
Who QualifiesCalifornia Grubhub drivers who completed at least one delivery between Dec. 3, 2014 – Mar. 13, 2026
Payout Per PersonPro rata; minimum $25 guaranteed
Proof RequiredNo (miles driven data used to calculate share)
Settlement StatusPreliminarily Approved
AdministratorClaims Administrator, Lawson v. Grubhub Holdings Inc.
Official WebsiteGrubhubCalSettlement.com
Administrator Email[email protected]
Case NameLawson et al. v. Grubhub Holdings Inc., Case No. 15-cv-05128 JSC

Current Status & What Happens Next

  • A federal judge cleared the way for the proposed $24.75 million settlement after ordering minor technical corrections to the class notice, and expects to sign off once a revised notice is filed.
  • Payments will be issued to approved claimants approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.
  • The claim filing deadline is June 18, 2026. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your right to a payment.

What Is the Grubhub Lawsuit About?

This case started in late 2015 when a former Grubhub driver, Raef Lawson, filed a lawsuit in California. He claimed Grubhub misclassified him and thousands of other drivers as independent contractors when they were actually employees. Lawson brought claims for unpaid overtime, failure to reimburse business expenses, and other violations of the California Labor Code.

Lawson alleged the company failed to pay him minimum wage, overtime pay, or fully reimburse him for job-related expenses. California law requires employers to cover necessary work expenses — such as vehicle mileage, fuel, and phone usage — when workers are classified as employees.

The $24.75 million settlement amount is non-reversionary, meaning the full fund will be distributed to class members regardless of how many claims are filed. Grubhub denied all wrongdoing but agreed to settle to end the litigation.

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

Current and former drivers who delivered for Grubhub as an independent contractor in California and completed at least one delivery between December 3, 2014, and March 13, 2026, may be eligible to submit a claim for a cash payment.

  • You may qualify if you used the Grubhub platform as an independent contractor service provider in California.
  • You may qualify if you accepted or completed at least one delivery during the qualifying period (Dec. 3, 2014 – Mar. 13, 2026).
  • You may qualify if you were classified by Grubhub as an independent contractor (not a W-2 employee) during any part of that period.
  • You may NOT qualify if you worked exclusively as a W-2 Grubhub employee or never completed a delivery in California.

If you received a settlement notice by mail or email, you already appear in Grubhub’s records as a potential class member.

Related article: $1.02M Avis Data Breach Settlement,  Are You Eligible to Claim? Deadline is June 21, 2026

$24.75M Grubhub Driver Misclassification Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim File Claim Before June 18

How Much Can You Receive?

Class members can submit a claim to receive a pro rata cash payment from the net settlement fund. The final payment amount will be determined by the number of miles driven during the qualifying period and the total number of claims filed. All claimants are guaranteed a payment of at least $25.

Here is how the settlement fund breaks down based on confirmed court filings:

Fund AllocationAmount
Gross Settlement Fund$24,750,000
Attorney Fees (requested)~$8,000,000 (one-third)
PAGA Payment (civil penalties)$2,000,000
75% of PAGA to State of California$1,500,000
25% of PAGA to claimants$500,000
Service Award — Raef LawsonUp to $100,000
Service Award — Rejenna MarshallUp to $5,000
Net Fund Available to Class MembersTBD (based on claims filed)

Your individual payout depends on how many miles you drove during the qualifying period relative to other claimants. Drivers who completed more deliveries over more miles will receive a proportionally larger share. The minimum guaranteed payment is $25.

How to File a Claim

Step 1 — Visit the official settlement website at GrubhubCalSettlement.com

Step 2 — Locate the Notice ID and PIN from the settlement notice you received by mail or email — you need both to file online.

Step 3 — Enter your personal details as prompted, including your name and contact information.

Step 4 — Submit your claim form. No documents or receipts are required — your mileage data is already on file with the administrator.

Step 5 — If you prefer not to file online, complete the paper claim form included in your mailed notice and send it to: Lawson et al. v. Grubhub Holdings Inc. et al., c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799. You can also email your claim to [email protected].

Step 6 — Save your confirmation number or keep a copy of your submitted form.

Estimated time to complete: 5–10 minutes.

Important Deadlines & Dates

MilestoneDate
Lawsuit FiledNovember 2015
Qualifying Period BeginsDecember 3, 2014
Qualifying Period EndsMarch 13, 2026
Preliminary ApprovalEarly 2026 (court order pending final notice revisions)
Claims Period OpensTBD (upon final preliminary approval)
Claim Filing DeadlineJune 18, 2026
Opt-Out DeadlineTBD
Objection DeadlineTBD
Final Approval HearingTBD
Expected Payment DateApproximately 60 days after final approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? 

No. You do not need a lawyer to file a claim in this settlement. The process is free and straightforward. You only need your Notice ID and PIN from your settlement notice, then submit the claim form online or by mail before June 18, 2026.

Is this settlement legitimate? 

Yes. This is a court-authorized settlement in Lawson et al. v. Grubhub Holdings Inc., Case No. 15-cv-05128 JSC, pending before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in the Northern District of California. The official administrator website is GrubhubCalSettlement.com.

When will I receive my payment? 

Payments will be issued to approved claimants approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement. The exact payment date depends on when the court grants final approval and whether any appeals are filed afterward.

What if I missed the claim deadline? 

If the June 18, 2026 deadline passes without your submission, you will likely lose your right to receive a payment. You may still be bound by the settlement release, meaning you cannot pursue separate legal claims against Grubhub on these issues. Contact the administrator before the deadline if you have questions.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Possibly. Settlement payments related to lost wages are typically treated as taxable income by the IRS. You should consult a tax professional to understand how your specific payment may be classified and reported.

What is “misclassification” and why does it matter? 

Misclassification occurs when a company labels workers as independent contractors instead of employees. This matters because employees have legal rights to minimum wage, overtime pay, and expense reimbursements under California law — rights that contractors do not automatically receive. This lawsuit alleged Grubhub denied drivers those protections.

What is PAGA and does it affect my payment? 

PAGA stands for California’s Private Attorneys General Act. It allows workers to sue on behalf of the state for labor code violations. The settlement includes a $2,000,000 PAGA payment — 75% goes to the State of California and 25% is distributed to claimants. Your share of the PAGA portion will be included in your overall payment.

I did not receive a notice. Can I still file?

 Yes. Contact the settlement administrator at [email protected] or call 833-386-6491. If you completed a delivery in California for Grubhub between December 3, 2014, and March 13, 2026, you may still qualify even if you did not receive a mailed or emailed notice.

Sources & References

  1. Official Settlement Administrator Contact — Lawson et al. v. Grubhub Holdings Inc. et al., c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799 | [email protected] | 833-386-6491
  2. Court Docket — Lawson v. Grubhub Inc., Case No. 15-cv-05128 JSC, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Last Updated: April 4, 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.

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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