September 26, 2024
Chicago, IL - Today, Williams Barber &Morel Ltd. announced a ground-breaking $5.175million classaction settlement of claims brought by its client, Bernardo Cardona, against Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Co., LLC (“Magid Glove”) under Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”).
The Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois has granted preliminary approval of the settlement and, if the Court grants final approval, Magid Glove’s hourly employees and temporary workers who used a fingerprint timeclock or had their temperature scanned at Magid Glove’s Romeoville, Illinois facility fromJanuary 8, 2016, to the present, will be entitled to receive shares of the settlement.
More than 1,000 Magid Glove workers who used the fingerprint timeclock are expected to receive about $3,200 each, a payment over three times higher than average BIPA settlements. Williams Barber & Morel expects that after final approval, this settlement will set a record for the largest recovery per classmember for BIPA violations. The recoveries for users of the temperature scanners, estimated to receive about $130 each, is also believed to be the first of its kind.
“Biometric data ismore unique and personal than a social security number, but big businesses have ignored privacy laws and demanded that workers hand over this sensitive information without the proper safeguards and consents,” said Daniel Brown, lead counsel for Mr. Cardona and the settlement class. “We are proud to achieve this result on behalf of over 1,000workers who fell victim to these unlawful practices.”
Plaintiff and the settlement classes are represented by Daniel R. Brown and Stephen A. Fraser of Williams Barber & Morel Ltd., Michael Drew of Neighborhood Legal, LLC, and Michael Wood of Community Lawyers LLC. Magid Glove is represented by Patricia J. Martin and Orly Henry of Littler Mendelson P.C. Additional information about the Settlement may be found at www.magidglovebipasettlement.com.
Founded in Chicago in 1967, Williams Barber & Morel Ltd. is a firm of trial lawyers who focus on high-stakes litigation and helping clients navigate challenging situations tomanage risk.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Daniel R. Brown, 312-443-3206 or drb@williamsbarbermorel.com