FOLLOW US

Geico $900K Settlement has received final court approval, closing a series of lawsuits that accused the insurance giant of shortchanging call center employees for time worked before and after scheduled shifts.

A Georgia federal judge signed off on the agreement Friday, clearing the way for Geico to pay $900,000 to resolve claims brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act. U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell said the deal was forged through arm’s-length negotiations carried out in good faith by seasoned attorneys on both sides. He dismissed the cases with prejudice, permanently ending the litigation.

How the Lawsuits Unfolded

Multiple cases, one core allegation

The legal battle began in May 2022, when Amalia Benvenutti filed the first lawsuit, alleging unpaid overtime and retaliation under federal labor law. More claims followed. In October 2023, Cherale Willis, Sandy Colbert and Tiffaney Peacock brought their own FLSA action, later adding Caral Taylor as a named plaintiff.

Christopher Rice also filed a separate lawsuit, asserting unpaid overtime and an individual retaliation claim. By May 2024, the Willis case was consolidated with Benvenutti’s suit. In December, the court merged the Willis and Rice matters after Geico informed the court it had reached agreements to resolve both sets of claims.

Who Gets Paid — and How Much

Settlement breakdown

The settlement covers roughly 2,100 workers. Under its terms, Willis, Colbert, Peacock and Taylor will each receive $5,000 through separately negotiated payments. Benvenutti and Rice are set to receive $20,000 each to resolve their individual retaliation claims.

About $520,500 of the settlement fund is earmarked for attorney fees and costs, while approximately $14,000 will go toward settlement administration expenses.

Silence From Both Sides

Geico declined to comment Monday. Attorneys for the workers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The employees are represented by David Garrison, Joshua A. Frank and Nicole A. Chanin of Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison PLLC, along with Richard Rouco, George N. Davies, Zakary Pearsall, Nicholas Stanojevich and Tessa A. Warren of Quinn Connor Weaver Davies & Rouco LLP.

Geico’s legal team includes Gerald L. Maatman Jr., Jennifer A. Riley, Alex W. Karasik, Gregory R. Tsonis, Tiffany E. Alberty, Ryan T. Garippo, George J. Schaller, Bernadette M. Coyle, Zev Grumet-Morris, Brett Bohan, Christian Palacios, Adam C. Keating, Nicolette J. Zulli, Rebecca S. Bjork and Anna M. Sheridan of Duane Morris LLP.