Hicks v. Great Lakes Home Health Services, Inc. et al

Filing 52

ORDER granting 51 Joint Motion for Approval of the FLSA Settlement. Signed by District Judge George Caram Steeh. (MBea)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
___________________________________
:
:
LAURA HICKS, on behalf of herself and
similarly situated employees,
: 2:17-cv-12674-GCS-DRG
Plaintiff, :
: Honorable George Caram Steeh
v.
:
GREAT LAKES HOME HEALTH
: Magistrate Judge David R. Grand
SERVICES, INC. and GREAT LAKES
:
ACQUISITION CORP., d/b/a GREAT
:
:
LAKES CARING,
:
:
Defendants.
:
_________________________________
:
ORDER GRANTING JOINT MOTION
FOR APPROVAL OF THE FLSA SETTLEMENT
The parties have filed a Joint Motion for Approval of the Settlement (“Approval
Motion”). See ECF No. 51. For good cause shown, the Motion is GRANTED as
follows:
1.

The Court APPROVES the payment by Defendants of $2,000.00 to

Plaintiff. “The FLSA requires this Court to ‘scrutinize the proposed settlement [of the
FLSA claim] for fairness, and determine whether the settlement is a fair and reasonable
resolution of a bona fide dispute over FLSA provisions.’” Farkas v. Boschert, No. 17-cv12536, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105263, *4-5, 2018 WL 3100905 (E.D. Mich. June 25,
2018) (quoting Williams v. K&K Assisted Living LLC, No. 15-cv-11565, 2016 U.S. Dist.
LEXIS 9310, *3, 2016 WL 319596 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 27, 2016)). Here, after careful
consideration of the Approval Motion and based upon all prior proceedings, the Court
finds that each of the following factors favor approval: “‘(1) the risk of fraud or collusion;
(2) the complexity, expense and likely duration of the litigation; (3) the amount of
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discovery completed; (4) the likelihood of success on the merits; (5) the opinion of class
counsel and representatives; (6) the reaction of absent class members; and (7) public
interest in the settlement.’” Williams, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9310, at *3 (quoting Snook
v. Valley OB-Gyn Clinic, PC, No. 14-cv-12302, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2989, *2, 2015
WL 144400 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 12, 2015)).
2.

Within 7 calendar days of the entry of this Order, Plaintiff shall file with the

Court her petition for attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to paragraph 7 of the
Settlement Agreement and Release. Defendants will file any opposition papers within
21 calendar days of the entry of this Order, and Plaintiff will file any reply papers within
28 calendar days of the entry of this Order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 2, 2019.

s/George Caram Steeh
GEORGE CARAM STEEH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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