Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are, from time to time, subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the normal course of business activities, claims or investigations asserting that some employees are improperly classified under applicable law, and an unfavorable resolution of any of these matters could materially affect our future business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. For example, we are currently party to pending legal claims and proceedings regarding an employee related labor dispute brought forth during the third quarter of 2020. The disputes allege that the Company has failed to pay certain employees for overtime and is in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and labor laws in the State of California and the State of Florida. The majority of such legal claims and proceedings are in the early stages and, to the extent applicable, have not yet reached the class certification stage and as such the ultimate outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty due to inherent uncertainties in the legal claims and proceedings. As part of the disputes and other legal matters, the Company included an estimated liability of $8.3 million as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023 on the
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consolidated balance sheets. In June 2024, the Company settled a California action alleging violations of the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) for a non-material amount. A determination in, or settlement of, any legal proceeding relating to classification of our employees could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. In addition, our CEO is, and potentially Better Home & Finance may be, subject to litigation as described above in “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Operating History, Business Model, Growth and Financial Condition—Our CEO is involved in litigation that could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.”
There has been and will likely continue to be publicity regarding the litigation and claims discussed above, which could negatively affect our reputation. Our involvement in any of litigation discussed above could impose a significant cost and divert resources and the attention of Mr. Garg and other members of our executive management from our business, regardless of the outcome of such litigation. Such costs, together with the outcome of the actions if resolved unfavorably, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Further, depending upon the outcome of these litigations, our licenses, which are necessary to conduct our business, could be materially and adversely affected. For more information, see “ Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Operating History, Business Model, Growth and Financial Condition—Our CEO is involved in litigation that could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. ” In addition, we refer to Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report which contains a general description of additional legal proceedings to which we are a party.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Part II