Robotic Milker Litigation: $122 Million Class Settlement for Lely A4 U.S. Farmers
After nearly three years of litigation, Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP, Cullenberg & Tensen PLLC, and Perrone Law PLLC reached a nationwide settlement with Lely in a class action related to its Astronaut A4 robotic milking system. The settlement established a cash fund of $49.75 million, an Additional Pinch Sleeve Payment Program, an Extended Warranty Program, and a New A5 Trade-In Program.
Nearly all class members participated and based on the claims submitted and options chosen, the cash fund is approximately $51 million and those opting for trade ins will receive approximately $71 million in value for trading in their A4s for new A5s. All told, the substantial relief provided is worth approximately $122 million.
In approving the settlement, the Court called it an “excellent result,” noting that it provides “outstanding relief” and received “overwhelming,” “unprecedented” support from the class: “Participation in the claims process was unprecedented with nearly 100 percent participation, which far exceeds the average claims rate.”
This result follows the firms' July 2022 success securing final approval of a $55 million settlement in a case against DeLaval Inc. regarding the Classic model of its voluntary milking system that made available financial compensation to approximately 185 farmers using nearly 600 robots.
The full announcement is available here: Robotic Milker Litigation: Second Class Settlement Secured for U.S. Dairy Farmers
