Grubhub agreed to a $24.75 million settlement to resolve a long-running class action claiming it misclassified California delivery drivers as independent contractors, and eligible couriers have until June 18, 2026 to file a claim. The case covers drivers who completed at least one delivery in California between December 3, 2014 and March 13, 2026.
For self-employed couriers, the deadline is the most important part this week. Miss the June 18 cutoff, and you forfeit any payment, even if you drove for Grubhub for years as a 1099 contractor.
What The Settlement Actually Covers
The lawsuit alleged Grubhub violated California labor law by treating drivers as contractors while failing to reimburse business expenses and to pay minimum wage and overtime. The deal ends roughly a decade of litigation that included five formal mediation sessions.
Payments are tied to estimated miles driven on the platform, with a guaranteed minimum of $25 per approved claimant. A final approval hearing is set for July 30, 2026, and payments are expected to go out about 60 days after the court signs off.
Why This Matters For Self-Employed Couriers
Misclassification settlements are among the few ways gig drivers can recover money for costs they incurred as contractors, from gas and mileage to phone bills. The case is a reminder that independent contractor status on an app does not always align with how the law characterizes the relationship.
It also lands as classification rules keep shifting around delivery work. Couriers who track their own mileage and expenses are in a far better position to value a claim like this and to defend their tax filings if their status is ever challenged.
What Self-Employed Drivers Should Do Next
If you delivered for Grubhub in California during the class window, file the claim before June 18 through the official settlement site or by mail. The administrator can be reached at [email protected] or (833) 386-6491 for help confirming eligibility.
Even drivers outside California can take a lesson here. Keep a running log of miles, platform fees, and out-of-pocket costs, because that record is what turns a vague claim into a documented payout and supports your Schedule C deductions.
What To Watch Next
The July 30 final approval hearing will determine whether the settlement holds and when checks actually move. Couriers should also watch how other states handle courier pay and classification, since recent steps like Seattle’s app-based pay floor show the issue is far from settled.
The bigger question is whether platforms adjust their contractor terms to head off the next suit. Continued pressure on classification could push some apps toward clearer expense reimbursement, which would change the math for every self-employed driver.
Photo by Sebastian Herrmann: Unsplash
