O’Reilly Auto $8.5 Million Tractor Fluid Deal Gets Early OK

O’Reilly Automotive Stores’ $8.5 million settlement to resolve a class action over the quality of its 303-brand hydraulic fluid was granted preliminary approval by the Western District of Missouri following adjustments to address the court’s earlier concerns about notice, fee, and opt-out provisions.

Although the proposed settlement includes language that would have required the plaintiffs to ask the court to issue an injunction prohibiting would-be class members from filing their own independent lawsuits, Judge Greg Kays declined to grant the request, concluding it was unnecessary.

It was the plaintiffs’ second attempt to obtain the court’s preliminary approval of a settlement. ...