CALHOUN — After battling in court for six years, Mohawk Industries and attorneys for current and former employees who sued claiming their wages were depressed by the hiring of illegal workers have settled the suit for $18 million.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs will seek a third of the award, according to Howard Foster, one of those attorneys.

Approximately 48,000 former and current hourly Mohawk employees will be able to file claims from the remaining portion of the fund.

“If they are a legal worker, they will receive a portion of the settlement depending on the number of hours they worked at Mohawk during the class period,” he said.

If 48,000 workers divide $12 million, that would work out to $250 per worker.

Most of the settlement will be contributed by Zurich American Insurance Co., Mohawk’s insurance carrier.

Mohawk has also agreed to conduct training regarding the verification of employment eligibility.

Mohawk did not admit to any of the plaintiffs’ claims.

“Mohawk is pleased to have reached a settlement that allows the company to put behind it the expense and distraction associated with this case,” said company attorney Juan Morillo.

U.S. District Court Judge Harold L. Murphy in Rome will now be asked to OK the settlement.

Mohawk shares ended Friday at $55.12, up $1.16.