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Independent contractors who worked as a content creator for any Valnet property and provided a California home address between Dec. 21, 2019, and Aug. 3, 2026, may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.
Valnet Inc. and Valnet US Inc. agreed to pay $2,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging they misclassified content creators as independent contractors, resulting in alleged violations of California wage-and-hour laws. These alleged violations include unpaid minimum and overtime wages, missed meal and rest breaks, unreimbursed business expenses and related penalties.
Who are the Valnet class members?
Class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- They submitted or edited written articles or produced video or audio content for any Valnet property.
- They did so between Dec. 21, 2019, and Aug. 3, 2026.
- Valnet classified them as independent contractors, not employees, during this period.
- They provided Valnet with a California home address while classified as an independent contractor.
There are two main groups within the settlement:
- Class members: Those who worked during the class period of Dec. 21, 2019, to Aug. 3, 2026, and who meet the above criteria
- Aggrieved employees: Those who worked during the California Private Attorneys General Act period of Jan. 25, 2023, to Aug. 3, 2026, provided a California home address, performed the same types of content creation or editing work and whom Valnet classified as independent contractors
Each group is eligible for different types of payments under the settlement.
The settlement administrator used Valnet’s records to determine eligibility and calculate individual awards for both groups. Individuals who qualify as both a class member and an aggrieved employee may receive both types of payments in a single disbursement.
How much can class members get?
The total settlement fund is $2,000,000. The amount each class member receives depends on several factors, including:
- The number of months they worked for Valnet as an independent contractor during the relevant period(s)
- Whether the class member previously received any payment from Valnet in exchange for a release of claims
- The total number of eligible class members and aggrieved employees
The settlement provides for two types of payments:
- Individual class payment: Calculated based on the number of months the class member worked during the class period and any previous release payments they received
- Individual PAGA payment: Calculated based on the number of months the class member worked during the PAGA period
The settlement notice class members received provides individualized estimates for each class member.
No action needed to receive compensation
Class members do not need to file a claim to receive their payment. The settlement administrator used Valnet's records to identify class members who will automatically be eligible for payment. However, those who believe their time worked is incorrect may submit supporting documentation, such as copies of pay stubs or other records, to challenge the calculation.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Atticus Administration LLC, Content Creator Settlement, P.O. Box 64053, Saint Paul, MN 55164
The deadline to challenge time worked is Dec. 28, 2026.
Payout options
The settlement administrator will issue payments to the PayPal account the class member used to receive prior Valnet payments. If PayPal information is unavailable or payment fails, the settlement administrator will mail a check to the address on file. Class members can request payment via a different PayPal account or method by contacting the settlement administrator before it issues payments.
If Valnet cannot complete payment, it will send the funds to the California state controller’s office unclaimed property fund in the class member's name.
$2 million settlement fund breakdown
The $2,000,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $14,100
- Attorneys' fees: Up to $666,666.66
- Attorneys' expenses: Up to $35,000
- Service award to class representative: Up to $15,000
- PAGA penalties: $50,000 (75% to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and 25% to aggrieved employees)
- Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the settlement fund
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Dec. 28, 2026
- Deadline to challenge period of time worked: Dec. 28, 2026
- Final approval hearing: Feb. 2, 2027
When is the content creator settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
A former Valnet content creator alleged Valnet misclassified content creators as independent contractors, leading to violations of California labor laws. The claims included unpaid minimum and overtime wages, missed meal and rest breaks, failure to reimburse business expenses and inaccurate wage statements.
Valnet denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.
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