Published: June 25, 2026
Overview
A class action settlement has been preliminarily approved in a wage and hour dispute involving Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK). The lawsuit was brought by Regina Renee Blackwell, a former employee, on behalf of herself and other hourly, non-exempt workers who claim the organization failed to properly compensate them for wages and hours worked. The case also includes claims for penalties under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which allows employees to recover statutory damages for labor code violations. The settlement covers two distinct groups of workers. The class action portion applies to approximately 2,173 hourly employees who worked for CAPK between December 30, 2016 and April 1, 2024.
The PAGA component covers all non-exempt, hourly workers employed during the period from October 12, 2019 through April 1, 2024. According to the settlement terms, the total fund is $412,500. After deducting settlement administration costs ($21,000), the class representative service payment to Blackwell ($7,500), attorney fees and costs ($162,500), and PAGA penalties ($20,000—with $15,000 going to the state labor agency and $5,000 distributed to affected employees), the estimated net amount available for individual class member payments is $201,500. Individual payment amounts will vary based on each person’s work history during the applicable periods, and eligible workers should have received notice with their estimated payment amounts. Class members have several options regarding this settlement.
Those who do nothing will remain part of the class and receive their calculated payment if the settlement receives final approval. Workers who believe their work records are inaccurate may file a dispute before the deadline specified in their notice. Class members also have the right to opt out of the settlement or object to its terms before the final approval hearing. The court will hold a final approval hearing on December 6, 2024 at 8:30 a. at the Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield (1415 Truxtun Avenue, Department 17) to determine whether to grant final approval.
Important Documents
- Minute Order By The Court
- Aviso Aprobado Por La Corte Del Acuerdo De La Demanda Colectiva Y La Fecha De La Audencia
- Aviso Aprobado Por La Corte Del Acuerdo De La Demanda Colective Y La Fecha De La Audencia
- Court Approved Notice Of Class Action Settlement And Hearing Date
- 2024 12 06 Blackwell Order And Judgment Re Mfa [Court]
- Order Granting Plaintiff Blackwell’S Motion For Preliminary Approval Of Class Action And Paga Settlement
- Settlement Agreement
Official Settlement Website
For full details or to file a claim, visit:
https://www.cptgroupcaseinfo.com/CAPKSettlement/