If you’re a woman who worked for Disney or certain Disney-related companies in California between April 1, 2015 and December 28, 2024, you may be part of a $43.25 million settlement resolving claims of unequal pay.
Here’s what you need to know
Why is there a lawsuit?
The case, Rasmussen v. The Walt Disney Company, et al., alleged that Disney paid women less than men for similar work, violating California’s Equal Pay Act. Disney denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.
Who qualifies?
You may be included if you are:
A woman who worked in a covered position in California at Disney or certain related entities (e.g., ABC, Disneyland Resort, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, etc.) between April 1, 2015 and December 28, 2024.
Covered positions are salaried, full-time, non-union roles below VP level (job levels B1–B4, T1–T4, TL, P1–P6, P2L–P5L, M1–M3, A1–A5, E0, E1, or E1X).
Not included: employees of Hulu, ESPN, Pixar, FX, National Geographic, Bamtech, ILM, HR compensation staff, in-house employment counsel, or certain legal assistants.
How much can people get?
At least $200 per class member
Payments may be higher depending on your role and the number of people who remain in the class.
No claim form required — you’ll be paid automatically if you’re eligible.
Your options
| Option | What It Means | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Do Nothing | Stay in the class, get a payment automatically, and be bound by the settlement | N/A |
| Opt Out | Remove yourself from the class. No payment, but you keep the right to sue Disney separately | August 16, 2025 |
| Object | Tell the court if you don’t agree with the settlement | August 16, 2025 |
The court will hold a final approval hearing on September 15, 2025.
How to get paid
Good news: you don’t have to file a claim. If you qualify, you’ll automatically receive a check. If you need to update your mailing address, you can do so on the official settlement website (link below).
Don’t miss out — check your eligibility and update your address if needed now!
