Big Al's Noncompetition Class Action Settlement
Big Al's Noncompetition Class Action Settlement
Big Al's, Inc. agreed to pay $450,000 into a common fund to settle claims that it bound employees to an outside employment policy in violation of the Washington Noncompetition Covenants Act. Employees identified in Big Al's records who worked for the company between January 1, 2020 and May 22, 2026 and earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage receive an equal share automatically, with no claim form required.
Settlement fund
$450K
Total common fund
Top payout
Automatic
Equal share; no claim form
Claim form
No claim form
Keep your address current
No claim form needed
Payments are mailed automatically, so make sure Simpluris has your current mailing address.
Do you qualify?
You are a Class Member if ALL of the following apply:
- You worked for Big Al's between January 1, 2020 and May 22, 2026.
- You earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage, and Big Al's records identify you as a Settlement Class Member.
- No claim form and no proof needed. Eligible members who did not exclude themselves are paid automatically. Keep your mailing address current with the Administrator.
- Excluded: Anyone who submitted a request for exclusion postmarked or filed by August 24, 2026.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the Settlement Administrator at (888) 369-3780, email info@BAIncSettlement.com, or visit BAIncSettlement.com.
What happened
Plaintiff Lazova-Fast filed this lawsuit in Clark County Superior Court on behalf of similarly situated current and former Big Al's employees. The suit alleges that Big Al's violated the Washington Noncompetition Covenants Act, chapter 49.62 RCW, including RCW 49.62.070, by binding lower-wage employees to an outside employment policy.
Big Al's denies liability, and the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing. The Court preliminarily approved the settlement on May 22, 2026 but has not decided who is right on the merits. The parties settled to avoid the cost, risk, and delay of continued litigation.
How to file a claim
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1. Confirm you are a Settlement Class Member
Class Members are identified from Big Al's records. If you worked for Big Al's between January 1, 2020 and May 22, 2026 and earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage, you are likely included. If you are unsure, call Simpluris at (888) 369-3780.
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2. Understand your equal share
Each eligible Class Member who did not exclude themselves receives an equal share of the Class Fund that remains after Court-approved attorneys' fees, costs, the service award, and administration costs. Payments are treated as non-wage damages and reported on a Form 1099.
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3. No claim form: keep your address current
There is no claim form. Payments are mailed automatically, so update your address and phone number whenever they change by calling (888) 369-3780, emailing info@BAIncSettlement.com, or returning the Address Form included with the Notice to Lazova-Fast v. Big Al's, Inc., c/o Simpluris, Inc., P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799. The Notice and Settlement Agreement are posted at BAIncSettlement.com.
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4. Receive your payment
If the Court grants final approval, payments are sent after all appeals and reviews are complete. Settlement checks expire and become void 180 days after the date of issuance, so cash yours promptly.
Key dates
- Aug 24, 2026 Opt-out & objection deadline Passed
- None No claim form required Automatic
- Sep 25, 2026 Final Fairness Hearing (9:00 a.m. PT) Passed
- TBD after final approval Payments issued to claimants Pending
The Final Approval Hearing was scheduled for September 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Gregory M. Gonzales, held remotely by Zoom (Clark County Superior Court, 1200 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660). Requests for exclusion and objections were due August 24, 2026. No claim form is required. Check BAIncSettlement.com for the latest status and payment updates.
Where the money is going
Big Al's agreed to pay a total of $450,000 into a common fund. Court-approved attorneys' fees, costs, the Plaintiff's service award, and settlement administration costs are deducted first, and the remaining Class Fund is divided equally among eligible Class Members who did not exclude themselves.
All amounts listed above are pending and subject to final court approval. The Court may award less than the amounts requested. The Class Fund figure is our own estimate before administration costs and is not stated by the Administrator; the final amount will be lower once administration costs are deducted.
Common questions
How much money will I receive?
Individual amounts are not fixed. Each eligible Class Member receives an equal share of the Class Fund left after Court-approved fees, costs, the service award, and administration costs. Before administration costs, that pool is estimated at about $275,001 from the $450,000 fund.
Do I need to submit proof of purchase?
No proof or claim form is needed. Eligibility comes from Big Al's records. You only need to keep your mailing address current with the Administrator.
What if I didn’t receive a notice?
Class Members were identified from Big Al's records. If you think you qualify but did not get a notice, contact Simpluris at (888) 369-3780 or info@BAIncSettlement.com and confirm your mailing address.
Does staying in the class affect my right to sue later?
If you did not exclude yourself, you release claims against Big Al's and the other Released Parties that arose during the Settlement Class Period and that were or could have been asserted in the Complaint, as described in Paragraph 18 of the Settlement Agreement. Claims outside the release are not waived.
When will payments be sent out?
Payments are sent only if the Court grants final approval, and only after all appeals and reviews are complete. Checks void 180 days after issuance. Check the settlement website for payment updates.
Dapeer Law, P.A.
Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with Big Al's, Inc., Simpluris, Inc. (the Settlement Administrator), or Class Counsel Timothy W. Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, and Paul Cipriani of Emery Reddy, PC. The case is Lazova-Fast v. Big Al's, Inc., Case No. 25-2-01504-06, pending in the Superior Court of the State of Washington for Clark County before the Honorable Gregory M. Gonzales. Class representatives are Plaintiff Lazova-Fast. Big Al's denies wrongdoing. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.