WGBC Attorneys Reaches $31.9M Class-Action Settlement in High-Profile 303 Tractor Fluid MDL Matter
White, Graham, Buckley & Carr partners Bryan White and William Carr recently helped achieve a $31.9 million settlement in a nationwide class action matter related to 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid that the plaintiffs alleged didn’t meet equipment specifications and, when used on tractors and other vehicles, caused damages. After four years of multidistrict litigation, a Missouri federal judge granted preliminary approval of the settlement, which will provide the class meaningful relief and avoid further potential costs and delays related to additional legal proceedings.
“We are pleased that we were ultimately able to work with the defendants to achieve fair compensation for the farmers and other class members, including money for their equipment repairs and damages,” White told Law360 in an article, which can be read here. Please note, a subscription may be required. “We are happy the court gave preliminary approval to the settlement and that we are moving toward class members getting money in the near future as opposed to years down the road after further litigation.”
The Hon. Stephen R. Bough of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri conditionally certified a class of anyone in the U.S., except Missouri, who bought any of four 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid products that Smitty’s Supply Inc. and CAM2 International LLC., manufactured and/or sold. The purchases must have occurred between Dec. 1, 2013, and October 4, 2024.
Judge Bough’s order also appointed WGB&C as one of the class counsel attorneys, who are requesting incentive awards of $4,500 for each class representative who provided deposition testimony, written discovery responses and documents and $3,000 for those who only provided written discovery responses and documents.
Damage Claim Values will be determined by the amount of the fluid purchased by class members and the specifics of equipment damages submitted by class memebrs, on a pro rata basis. A final fairness hearing on the settlement has been scheduled for March 2025.
White and Carr have built a strong national specialty practice related to 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid litigation and have successfully represented multiple classes to obtain millions of dollars in claims related to allegations of violations of state consumer protection law, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment involving these products.
