Columbus, OH, December, 19, 2022 – The law firms of Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A. and Barkan, Meizlish, DeRose & Cox, LLP – both based in Columbus, Ohio – are pleased to announce a settlement of $665,000 on behalf of more than 30 plaintiffs in a collective and class action dispute over unpaid wages against the owners of Dee Jays BBQ Ribs and Grille, which is based in West Virginia. The settlement of the dispute (Case No. 5:22-cv-00006-JPB), filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, was approved by Judge John P. Bailey on December 15, 2022. As a result of the settlement approval, the case was also dismissed with prejudice (settlement and dismissal order attached for reference).
The lawsuit was originally filed on January 3, 2022, by plaintiff Chasity D. Adkins on behalf of herself and other current and former employees of Mt. Nebo Foods, LLC, and Dewey J. Guida Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Dee Jay’s BBQ Ribs & Grille. The suit alleged violations of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the West Virginia Minimum Wage and Maximum Hours Law, and the West Virginia Payment & Collections Act and sought relief and punitive damages against the defendants.
According to the suit, the defendants withheld up to 3% of each employee’s total sales for each shift to be paid out as tips and subsequently shared between managers, kitchen staff, and hosts/hostesses. This led to servers having to put their own tips into the pool, which most of the time resulted in them being paid less than both federal ($7.25 per hour) and state minimum wages ($8.75 per hour). As a result, the suit explained, “approximately $4,000 in tips in a respective week could be shared between employees who do not customarily and regularly receive tips.” Last week’s settlement and dismissal effectively resolved these allegations, delivering monetary damages to be divided among the class of plaintiffs.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs issued a joint statement to comment on the settlement and dismissal: “We are pleased with the settlement and the opportunity for closure that this outcome brings for our clients. We hope it sends a strong message to employers, especially in hospitality and food service, that minimum wage laws must be acknowledged and followed. We also hope it allows employees who believe they are paid incorrectly to recognize their options in recovering what they are owed.”
Plaintiffs in this case were represented by Adam L. Slone of Brian G. Miller Co, LPA, as well as Bob DeRose and Jacob Mikalov of Barkan Meizlish DeRose & Cox, LLP.
# # #
About Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A.
Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A., was established in 2004 when Brian Miller decided to start his own law practice. His goal was to create a law firm that delivers legal services reflective of his experience, ability, and a steadfast commitment to exceptional quality and client satisfaction. At the law office of Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A., we provide our clients with effective legal representation by placing a strong emphasis on diligent investigation and by utilizing a thoroughly academic approach in preparing cases. Members of our firm are experienced not only with case management and claims processing, but also with the type of detailed legal research that exceptional client representation requires. The firm carries a healthy, but manageable active client caseload that ensures we have the time to get to know each client personally, while also ensuring our ability to pay careful attention to the details of each and every case. Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A., is best known for handling plaintiff’s serious personal injury claims, wrongful death claims, and other catastrophic injury litigation, as well as a growing practice representing employees in wage and hour violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other employment regulations. Visit www.bgmillerlaw.com for more information.
About Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox LLP.
The law firm of Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP is over sixty years old, with a national practice, focused on wage and hour/overtime litigation, Ohio workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, and personal injury/medical malpractice. The firm and individual attorneys within the firm appear on lists of the best law firms and attorneys in the nation. Through their representation of individual employees as well as the injured and the disabled, the firm aims to protect the rights of working people on and off the job. They represent clients’ interests in federal and state court, before federal and state administrative agencies, at the collective bargaining table, and in state legislatures and the United States Congress. The attorneys and professional staff of Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP are fully committed to securing justice for all of their clients. Visit www.barkanmeizlish.com for more information.
