Williams v Family Dollar Stores, LLC

BASIC INFORMATION

1. How do I know if I am affected by the Lawsuit and Settlement?

   You may be a Settlement Class Member in the proposed Settlement regarding the alleged deceptive marketing, packaging, and labeling of Family Dollar ground coffee Products if you purchased any Product in the United States at a Family Dollar store operated by Defendant or its subsidiaries during the Class Period, January 1, 2019, to April 15, 2025.

   Products include all Family Dollar proprietary brand ground coffee products, including all Chestnut Hill ground coffee products in 33.9-oz, 10.3-oz, and 9.6-oz. container sizes.

   This website explains the nature of the lawsuit and legal claims being settled, your legal rights, and the Settlement Benefits.

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2. What is this Lawsuit about?

   Judge Burt Smithart of the Circuit Court of Barbour County, Eufaula Division, Alabama, is overseeing this class action. The lawsuit is known as Tangela Williams, et al. v. Family Dollar Stores, LLC, Case No. CV-2021-900022.00. The persons who filed the lawsuit are called the “Plaintiffs,” and the company they sued, Family Dollar Stores, LLC, is known as the “Defendant” in this case. Defendant will be called “Family Dollar” on this website.

   Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar, individually, and on behalf of anyone who purchased Family Dollar ground coffee Products, for personal use between January 1, 2019 and April 15, 2025.

   The lawsuit alleges that Family Dollar improperly labeled, marketed, advertised, and sold Chestnut Hill ground coffee Products and there was not enough ground coffee to make the stated number of cups when following the brewing instructions on the Product label. Family Dollar denies any wrongdoing. The Court has not decided who is right.

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3. Why is there a Settlement?

   By agreeing to settle, both sides avoid the cost and the risks and uncertainty associated with continuing the lawsuit. The Class Representatives, Family Dollar, and their lawyers believe the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and best for the Settlement Class Members. The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or Family Dollar. Full details about the proposed Settlement are found in the Settlement Agreement available here

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4. Why is this a class action?

   In a class action, one or more people called “Class Representatives” sue on behalf of all people who have similar legal claims. All of these people together are the “Class” or “Class Members.” One court resolves the issues for all class members, except for those class members who timely exclude themselves (opt out) from the class.

   The Class Representatives in this lawsuit are Plaintiffs Tangela Williams, Nancy Burr, Michael Goolsby, Valerie Johnson, and Elayne Smith.

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5. How do I know if I am included in the Settlement?

   You are a Settlement Class Member if you purchased any Product in the United States at a Family Dollar store operated by Defendant or its subsidiaries during the Class Period, January 1, 2019, to April 15, 2025.

   Products include all Family Dollar proprietary brand ground coffee products, including all Chestnut Hill coffee products in 33.9-oz, 10.3-oz, and 9.6-oz container sizes.

   If you are still not sure whether you are a Settlement Class Member, or have any other questions about the Settlement after reviewing this website, call toll-free 1-888-721-0116 or write questions to Williams v. Family Dollar, c/o Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2030, Portland, OR 97208-2030.

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THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS

6. What does this Settlement provide?

   The proposed Settlement, if approved by the Court, will provide the following Settlement Benefits:

   1. Business Practices: Family Dollar, as distributor of the Products, has agreed to work with its manufacturer to change its labeling practices by either removing the language about the number of cups of coffee that can be made by following the brewing instructions from the Labeling of the Products, or revising the language consistent with verified testing results from a reputable third-party laboratory.
   2. Coffee Product Voucher: Settlement Class Members are eligible to receive a Coffee Product Voucher without Proof of Purchase. If you submit a timely and valid Claim Form, you may be eligible to receive one (1) Coffee Product Voucher redeemable for a 9.6-ounce container of Chestnut Hill ground coffee per household. Only one Claim Form may be submitted per Household.

   If the total amount of Valid Claims submitted exceeds the settlement amount after Attorneys’ Fees and Costs, Service Awards, and Administrative Expenses are paid, the amount of the Coffee Product Voucher will be reduced on a pro rata (a legal term meaning equal share) basis.

   You must submit a timely and valid Claim Form to get a Coffee Product Voucher from the proposed Settlement. Claim Forms must be submitted online here by July 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time or mailed to the Settlement Administrator, received no later than July 21, 2025. Claim Forms are also available here, by calling 1-888-721-0116, or by writing to:

   Williams v. Family Dollar
   Settlement Administrator
   P.O. Box 2030
   Portland, OR 97208-2030

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7. How do I submit a Claim Form?

   You must submit a timely and valid Claim Form to be eligible to receive a Coffee Product Voucher from the Settlement, if it is approved. You can submit a Claim Form online here, download a Claim Form here, or request a Claim Form by calling 1-888-721-0116 or writing to:

   Williams v. Family Dollar
   Settlement Administrator
   P.O. Box 2030
   Portland, OR 97208-2030

   Your Claim Form must be received, if submitted online, no later than 11:59 p.m. Central Time on July 21, 2025, or, if mailed to the Settlement Administrator, received no later than July 21, 2025.

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8. When will I receive my Coffee Product Voucher?

   If you file a timely and valid Claim Form, Coffee Product Vouchers will be provided by the Settlement Administrator after the Settlement is approved by the Court and becomes final.

   It may take time for the Settlement to be approved and become final. Please be patient and check this website for updates.

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9. What am I giving up as part of the Settlement?

   Unless you exclude yourself, you will be included as part of the Settlement Class, if the Settlement is approved. This means you cannot sue, continue to sue or be part of any other lawsuit against the Released Parties about the legal issues in this lawsuit. It also means that all of the Court’s orders will apply to you and legally bind you and that you will release the legal claims detailed in the Settlement Agreement, which includes any claims relating to the advertising, marketing, promotion, purchase, sale, distribution, design, testing, manufacture, application, use, performance, warranting, or packaging of the Products or their labeling, as well as any claims based on any act, omission, inadequacy, misstatement, representation (express or implied), harm, matter, cause, or event related to the Products. The Release is provided in the Settlement Agreement in Section 12 in necessary legal terminology. Full details of the Release are provided in Section 12 of the Settlement Agreement, which is available here.

   The only way to keep the right to sue the Released Parties is to exclude yourself (see FAQ 11), otherwise you will be included in the Settlement Class, if the Settlement is approved, and you give up the right to sue for the legal claims in this case.

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10. Will the Class Representative receive compensation?

    Yes. The Class Representatives will request a Service Award of up to a maximum total amount of $2,000 each for their services as Class Representatives and their efforts in bringing the lawsuit. The Court will make the final decision as to the amount, if any, to be paid to the Class Representatives. If awarded, the Service Award will be paid from the Settlement Fund. The Court may award less than these amounts.

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EXCLUDE YOURSELF

11. How do I exclude myself from the Settlement?

    If you do not want to be included in the Settlement, you must send a written request for exclusion, which includes the following:

    1. Your name, address, and telephone number;
    2. Your personal physical signature; and
    3. A statement that you want to be excluded from the Settlement Class, such as “I hereby request to be excluded from the Settlement Class in Williams v. Family Dollar.”

    The exclusion request must be received by the Settlement Administrator no later than July 14, 2025, at the following address:

    Williams v. Family Dollar
    Settlement Administrator
    P.O. Box 2030
    Portland, OR 97208-2030

    You cannot opt out (exclude yourself) by telephone or by email.

    “Mass” or “class” requests for exclusion filed by third parties on behalf of a “mass” or “class” of Settlement Class Members or multiple Settlement Class Members where the opt out hasn’t been signed by each and every individual Settlement Class Member will not be allowed.

    If you exclude yourself, you will not be able to receive a Coffee Product Voucher from the Settlement and you cannot object to the Settlement. You will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this lawsuit and you will keep your right to sue Family Dollar on your own for the legal claims that this Settlement resolves.

    The deadline to exclude yourself from the Settlement has passed.

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12. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue later?

    No. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, and the Settlement is approved by the Court, you forever give up the right to sue the Released Parties (listed in FAQ 9) for the legal claims this Settlement resolves.

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THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU

13. Do I have a lawyer in the Lawsuit?

    Yes. The Court has appointed Irby Law, LLC; Lober & Dobson, LLC; and Law Office of Todd L. Lord (called “Class Counsel”) to represent the interests of all Settlement Class Members in this lawsuit. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

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14. How will the lawyers be paid?

    Class Counsel will apply to the Court for an award of Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Expenses in an amount up to $266,667. A copy of Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses will be posted on the Documents page of this website by June 30, 2025, which is fourteen (14) days before the Objection Deadline. The Court will make the final decision as to the amount to be paid to Class Counsel and may award less than the amount requested by Class Counsel.

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OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT

15. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the Settlement?

    If you want to tell the Court that you do not agree with the proposed Settlement or some part of it, you can submit an Objection telling them why you do not think the Settlement should be approved. Objections must be submitted in writing and must include the following information:

    1. The case name and number: Tangela Williams, et al. v. Family Dollar Stores, Inc., Case No. CV-2021-900022.00, Circuit Court, Barbour County, Eufaula Division, Alabama;
    2. Your full name, address, telephone number and email address;
    3. The name and address of any lawyer(s) representing you or who may be entitled to compensation in connection with your Objection;
    4. A detailed statement of the Objection(s), including the grounds for the Objection(s);
    5. Copies of any papers, briefs, or other documents upon which the Objection is based;
    6. Indicate if you intend to appear at the Final Approval Hearing, with or without your lawyer;
    7. Indicate any lawyer who will appear on your behalf at the Final Approval Hearing and any person who will be called to testify to support your Objection;
    8. A statement that you are a Settlement Class Member in the proposed Settlement, including all information from the Claim Form;
    9. Your signature in addition to the signature of any lawyer representing you in connection with the Objection; and
    10. A detailed list of any class action settlement objections made by you or your lawyer in the last five years.

    Your Objection must be filed with the Clerk of the Court no later than July 14, 2025, to:

    Clerk of Court
    Barbour County Circuit Court, Eufaula Division
    405 East Barbour Street
    Eufaula, AL 36027

    In addition, you must mail a copy of your Objection to Settlement Administrator, Class Counsel, and Defense Counsel, to be received no later than July 14, 2025:

    Class Counsel	Defense Counsel	Settlement Administrator
    R. Brent Irby Irby Law, LLC 2201 Arlington Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 Email: brent@irbylaw.net	Family Dollar c/o Foley Hoag LLP 1301 Avenue of the Americas, 25th Floor New York, NY 10019 Attn: August T. Horvath Email: AHorvath@FoleyHoag.com	Williams v. Family Dollar Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 2030 Portland, OR 97208-2030

    If you do not submit your Objection with all requirements, or if your Objection is not filed and received by July 14, 2025, as outlined above, you will be considered to have waived all Objections and will not be entitled to speak at the Final Approval Hearing.

    The deadline to object to the Settlement has passed.

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16. What is the difference between objecting and asking to be excluded?

    Objecting is simply telling the Court that you don’t like something about the Settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Settlement Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself, you cannot object to the Settlement.

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THE FINAL APPROVAL HEARING

17. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the Settlement?

    The Court will hold the Final Approval Hearing on July 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., in the Circuit Court of Barbour County, Alabama, 405 East Barbour Street, Eufaula, Alabama, in the courtroom of the Honorable Burt Smithart. The hearing may be moved to a different date, time or location without additional notice, so it is recommended that you periodically check this website for updated information.

    At the hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and in the best interests of Settlement Class Members and if it should be approved. If there are valid, timely Objections, the Court will consider them and will listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing if the request was made properly. The Court will also consider the award of Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses to Class Counsel and the request for Service Awards to the Class Representatives.

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18. Do I have to come to the Final Approval Hearing?

    No, you are not required to come to the Final Approval Hearing. However, you are welcome to attend the hearing at your own expense.

    If you submit an Objection, you do not have to come to the hearing to talk about it. If your Objection was submitted properly and on time, the Court will consider it. You also may pay your own lawyer to attend the Final Approval Hearing, but that is not necessary.

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19. May I speak at the Final Approval Hearing?

    Yes, you can speak at the Final Approval Hearing, but you must ask the Court for permission. To request permission to speak, you must file an Objection according to the instructions in FAQ 15, including all the information required.

    You cannot speak at the hearing if you exclude yourself from the Settlement.

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DO NOTHING

20. What happens if I do nothing?

    If you do nothing, you will not get a Coffee Product Voucher from the Settlement, you will not be able to sue for the legal claims in this lawsuit and you release the legal claims against the Defendant and the Released Parties.

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GET MORE INFORMATION

21. How do I get more information about the Settlement?

    This is only a summary of the proposed Settlement. If you want additional information about this lawsuit, including a copy of the Settlement Agreement, the complaints, the Court’s Preliminary Approval Order, Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, and more, please review the Documents page of this website or call 1-888-721-0116.

    You may also contact the Settlement Administrator in writing at Williams v. Family Dollar, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2030, Portland, OR 97208-2030.

    You may also visit or call the Clerk’s office at the Barbour County Clerk of Court, 405 East Barbour Street, Eufaula, Alabama; 334-687-1524. The Clerk will tell you how to obtain the complete file for inspection and copying at your own expense.

    PLEASE DO NOT ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT OR LAWSUIT TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT OR THE JUDGE.

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