A U.S. judge
gave the final approval on Thursday to a settlement agreement in a class-action
lawsuit against Lyft, ending a legal case that challenged the independent
contractor status of the company's drivers.
U.S. District
Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco gave his approval to the $27 million
settlement, after granting preliminary approval in June.
The judge had
previously rejected a $12.25 million settlement offer because it
"short-changed" drivers.
Lyft drivers
in California had sued the company, arguing they should be classified as
employees and therefore be entitled to reimbursement for expenses, including
gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Drivers pay those costs themselves.
In his order,
Chhabria cautioned that "The agreement is not perfect. And the status of
Lyft drivers under California law remains uncertain going forward."
*REUTERS*
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