Home Depot Class Action Lawsuit 2025, $72M Scandal Exposed—Are You Owed Money?
Home Depot recently agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a class action alleging its payment terminals failed to provide accessible cash-back features for blind and visually impaired customers, marking just one of multiple ongoing legal battles against the retail giant. Additional lawsuits filed in July 2025 accuse Washington state locations of violating anti-non-compete laws, while an August 2025 class action claims the company collected biometric data from Illinois customers without consent through facial recognition at self-checkout kiosks.
These developments follow Home Depot’s September 2024 settlement of nearly $2 million to resolve scanner violation complaints in California, creating a pattern of consumer protection violations across multiple states. Whether you’re a customer overcharged at checkout or an employee denied proper wages, understanding these lawsuits could directly impact your rights to compensation.
What Is the Latest Home Depot Class Action Lawsuit Update?
The most recent class action, filed July 17, 2025, alleges Home Depot’s Washington locations illegally restricted low-wage employees from working secondary jobs through non-compete agreements. Washington law prohibits employers from restraining employees earning less than twice the state minimum wage from additional employment.
In August 2025, Benjamin Jankowski filed a class action in Illinois federal court alleging Home Depot collected biometric data through facial recognition technology at self-checkout kiosks without obtaining required written consent under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). BIPA violations carry statutory damages of $5,000 per violation per company.
October 2025 brought a settlement requiring Home Depot to pay $65,000 and make accessibility improvements to payment terminals within four years. The lawsuit claimed terminals lacked audio output for cash-back options, preventing blind customers from using the feature independently.
These cases add to Home Depot’s mounting legal challenges involving consumer fraud, employment violations, and privacy breaches across multiple jurisdictions.
Major Home Depot Class Action Settlements in 2024-2025
California Scanner Violations Settlement
Home Depot paid $1,977,251 in September 2024 to settle civil complaints alleging the company charged customers prices higher than advertised or posted prices. Six California counties sued over “scanner violations” where shelf tags didn’t match checkout prices, particularly for sale items.
The settlement requires $1,700,000 in civil penalties and $277,251 in investigation costs. Home Depot didn’t admit wrongdoing but updated its price change timing procedures.
California Wage and Hour Mega-Settlement
Home Depot agreed to pay $72.5 million to end a class action alleging the retailer underpaid California workers. The settlement covers over 272,000 California employees employed since March 8, 2012.
Half the settlement compensates hourly employees who waited off-the-clock after stores locked for closing shifts, 41% goes to employees unpaid for pre-shift prep time, and 9% covers losses from rounding hours to the nearest quarter hour. After deducting $24.2 million in legal fees plus $3.5 million in expenses, eligible workers will receive their portions.
Gift Card Redemption Settlement
Home Depot paid $750,000 in July 2024 to settle allegations it violated California law requiring cash redemption for gift cards under $10. The settlement requires Home Depot to program point-of-sale registers to automatically cash out gift cards with balances below the threshold.
ADA Payment Terminal Settlement
The October 2025 settlement requires Home Depot to complete accessibility improvements to payment terminals within four years, ensuring blind and visually impaired customers can independently access cash-back features through audio readouts and tactile keypads.
Active Home Depot Lawsuits: What You Need to Know
Fake Discount Pricing Allegations
Multiple class actions filed in 2024 allege Home Depot uses fake reference pricing to mislead consumers about discounts. Plaintiffs claim Home Depot advertises products with false discounts by showing “original” prices the items never actually sold for within the previous three months.
One complaint alleges a GE electric dryer advertised at $548 with a $779 “original” price showing a 32% discount, but the dryer never sold for $779 in the prior three months and competitors sold the same model for similar “discount” prices.
The lawsuits assert claims for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and violations of Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act and California consumer protection laws.
Tool Rental Damage Protection Lawsuit
A class action filed in August 2025 alleges Home Depot forces customers to pay for “optional” damage protection fees for tool rentals even after customers decline the service. Plaintiffs claim Home Depot’s employees and computer systems default to adding the protection fee, generating the company tens of millions annually.
Biometric Privacy Violation (Illinois BIPA)
The August 2025 lawsuit claims Home Depot collected biometric data from customers without written consent, violating Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. BIPA requires companies to:
- Develop publicly available written policies for retaining and destroying biometric data
- Obtain informed, written consent before collecting biometric information
- Provide notice about data collection purposes and retention periods
Each violation carries potential damages of $5,000 per company.
Washington Non-Compete Agreement Violations
The July 2025 class action alleges Home Depot subjected Washington employees earning less than twice the state minimum wage to written and oral non-compete agreements. Washington law prohibits restricting secondary employment for workers below this wage threshold.
The lawsuit seeks to represent all current and former Washington employees who earned less than twice the minimum wage starting June 17, 2022.
Email Tracking Technology Lawsuit
An April 2024 class action alleges Home Depot embedded tracking technology into marketing emails to collect recipients’ private data without their knowledge. The lawsuit claims this violates consumer privacy rights under state electronic communications laws.
Google AI Call Recording Lawsuit
A February 2024 class action alleges Home Depot allowed customer service calls to be secretly “wiretapped” by Google without consent. The complaint claims Home Depot knowingly enabled Google to access and learn the contents of live customer communications through Google’s Contact Center AI (CCAI) technology.
Legal Claims Against Home Depot: Understanding the Allegations
Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices
Home Depot faces allegations of:
- False reference pricing showing inflated “original” prices
- Scanner violations charging higher prices than posted
- Deceptive damage protection charges on tool rentals
- Misleading discount advertising inducing unnecessary purchases
Employment Law Violations
Workers allege:
- Unpaid wages for off-the-clock work during closing shifts
- Failure to pay for pre-shift preparation time
- Improper wage rounding practices
- Illegal non-compete agreements for low-wage workers
- Insufficient meal and rest breaks
Privacy Violations
Lawsuits claim:
- Unauthorized biometric data collection through facial recognition
- Email tracking without consent
- Third-party access to customer service calls
- Violations of state privacy statutes (BIPA, CIPA)
Accessibility and Discrimination
The ADA lawsuit alleged payment terminals didn’t provide equal access to blind and visually impaired customers for cash-back features.
Who Qualifies for Home Depot Class Action Settlements?
California Wage Settlement Eligibility
Over 272,000 California Home Depot employees who worked since March 8, 2012, may qualify. Eligible workers include:
- Hourly employees who worked closing shifts
- Workers required to wait off-the-clock after store locking
- Employees who performed unpaid pre-shift duties
- Those affected by quarter-hour wage rounding
Scanner Violation Settlement
California customers who were overcharged at Home Depot checkout between specific dates may qualify for compensation.
Gift Card Settlement
California consumers who held Home Depot gift cards with balances under $10 and were denied cash redemption may be eligible.
ADA Payment Terminal Settlement
Blind or visually impaired individuals who used or required audio readouts and tactile keypads at Home Depot payment terminals qualify. Class members must be disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act definition.
Pending Lawsuits
For active lawsuits involving fake pricing, biometric data collection, non-compete violations, and tool rental charges, class certification hasn’t been granted. Affected individuals should monitor case developments.
How to File a Home Depot Class Action Claim
For Active Settlements
- Verify Eligibility: Confirm you meet the specific settlement’s class definition requirements
- Gather Documentation: Collect employment records, receipts, transaction records, or other evidence
- Submit Claim Form: Complete required documentation by the deadline
- Choose Payment Method: Select cash payment or store credit if options are available
- Track Status: Monitor your claim through the settlement administrator
For Pending Lawsuits
Contact class counsel listed in court filings or consult a consumer protection or employment attorney to discuss your situation.
Important Deadlines
Settlement claim deadlines vary. Check court-approved settlement websites or contact settlement administrators for specific dates.
What These Lawsuits Mean for Retailers and Consumers
Legal Precedent for Consumer Protection
District Attorney George Gascón stated false advertising and unfair competition “undermine consumer trust and distort the marketplace”. These settlements establish that retailers face significant penalties for:
- Charging prices higher than advertised
- Using deceptive pricing tactics
- Violating wage and hour laws
- Ignoring accessibility requirements
- Collecting data without consent
Impact on Corporate Practices
Home Depot’s legal troubles demonstrate increasing enforcement of:
- State consumer protection statutes
- Biometric privacy laws (especially BIPA in Illinois)
- ADA accessibility requirements
- Employment protections for low-wage workers
- Anti-non-compete legislation
Emerging Legal Trends
The lawsuits reflect growing scrutiny of:
- AI and biometric technology in retail settings
- Reference pricing and discount advertising
- Email and call monitoring practices
- Accessibility of payment technologies
- Employee rights regarding secondary employment
Related Consumer Protection Resources
Understanding your rights extends beyond Home Depot cases. Learn about consumer protection attorneys who handle identity theft cases for privacy violations, explore consumer law attorneys in Houston for retail disputes, or read about wage and hour violations if you’ve experienced employment issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money will I get from the Home Depot settlement?
In the $72.5 million California wage settlement, amounts vary by individual circumstances after deducting $24.2 million in legal fees and $3.5 million in expenses. The ADA settlement distributed $65,000 among eligible class members. Payment amounts depend on the number of claimants, your specific damages, and settlement terms.
Is Home Depot still being sued?
Yes. Active lawsuits include the August 2025 Illinois biometric privacy case, July 2025 Washington non-compete violations, and multiple false pricing claims filed in 2024. Courts haven’t resolved these pending cases.
Can I join a Home Depot class action lawsuit?
For certified class actions, you’re automatically included if you meet eligibility requirements unless you opt out. For pending cases, contact class counsel or a consumer protection attorney. You typically can’t join after settlement deadlines expire.
What laws did Home Depot allegedly violate?
Lawsuits allege violations of:
- California consumer protection laws (False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, Consumer Legal Remedies Act)
- Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)
- California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA)
- Washington non-compete statute
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- State wage and hour laws
How long do I have to file a Home Depot claim?
Deadlines vary by settlement. Most require claim forms within 60-120 days of settlement approval. Check specific settlement websites for your case’s deadline. Missing deadlines typically forfeits your right to compensation.
Does Home Depot admit wrongdoing?
In the California scanner settlement, Home Depot didn’t admit wrongdoing but agreed to cooperate and implement corrective measures. Most settlements include no admission of liability while requiring policy changes and monetary payments.
Should I hire a lawyer for a Home Depot class action case?
For existing settlements, you typically don’t need individual representation—submit claims directly to settlement administrators. For individual claims outside class actions or if you suffered significant damages, consult a consumer protection or employment attorney to evaluate your options.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney specializing in consumer protection law, employment law, or your specific jurisdiction for legal guidance on your situation. Case outcomes depend on individual circumstances, jurisdiction, and specific facts.
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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