Michelle Burrell filed the wage and hour lawsuit against Pison Stream Solutions Inc. and Joseph James, alleging violations of the FLSA and Ohio law. The case centered on disputed unpaid wages totaling over $210,000, with the parties engaging in arm's-length negotiations to resolve the matter.
Judge Boyko found that a "bona fide dispute exists as to the amount of damages Defendants allegedly owe under the FLSA and Ohio law," justifying the court's approval of the settlement. The judge noted that "the parties have been represented by competent counsel throughout this litigation" and determined the attorney's fees were reasonable.
The consent judgment awarded Burrell $210,884.37 in unpaid wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, $65,987.25 in attorney's fees and costs, plus $63,646.59 in prejudgment interest calculated at 8% annually from July 2022. The court retained jurisdiction to enforce the judgment terms.
The settlement resolves all claims in the case, with post-judgment interest accruing on the total amount until paid in full. The substantial award highlights the potential financial exposure employers face in wage and hour litigation under federal and state labor laws.