If you were employed by Defendant Brandt Industries USA Ltd. (“Brandt”) at its Illinois location after May 11, 2015 and were required by Brandt to scan your finger for timekeeping purposes, you may be entitled to benefits under a class action lawsuit.
A federal court authorized this Notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
- A proposed settlement will provide $250,000.00 (the “Settlement Funds”) to fully settle and release claims of the following individuals:
All individuals employed by Defendant Brandt Industries USA LTD and any other related entities in the State of Illinois and/or assigned to work at the Illinois facility of Brandt Industries USA Ltd. by temporary staffing agencies, who logged onto, interfaced with, or used any software, systems, or devices that used the individual’s finger, hand, or any biometric identifier of any type (“Biometric Systems”) in Illinois, including any employee of the above entities who has a claim under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS 14/1, et seq., from May 11, 2015 through the date of preliminary approval.
The following are excluded from the Settlement Class: (1) the district and magistrate judges presiding over this case; (2) the judges of the Seventh Circuit; (3) the immediate families of the preceding person(s); (4) any Released Party; and (5) any Settlement Class Member who timely opts out of this Action.
- Brandt denies Plaintiff’s allegations and deny any wrongdoing whatsoever. The Court has not ruled on the merits of Plaintiff’s claims or Brandt’s defenses. By entering into the settlement, Brandt has not conceded the truth or validity of any of the claims against it.
- The Settlement Funds shall be used to pay amounts related to the settlement, including awards to Settlement Class (“Settlement Award Checks”), attorneys’ fees and costs to attorneys representing Plaintiff and the Settlement Class (“Class Counsel”), any service award for Plaintiff and the costs of notice and administration of the settlement. Class Counsel estimates that Settlement Class members will receive between $600 and $700 (“Settlement Award Checks”). Any monies remaining in the Settlement Fund after the Initial Settlement Award Checks are distributed and the expiration date has passed shall be distributed to the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
- Your rights and options, and the deadlines to exercise them, are explained in this Notice. Your legal rights are affected whether you act or do not act. Read this Notice carefully.
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YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT: |
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EXCLUDE YOURSELF OR “OPT-OUT” OF THE SETTLEMENT |
If you ask to be excluded, you will not receive a payment. This is the only option that allows you to pursue your own claims against Brandt or other released parties related to a released claim. The deadline for excluding yourself is June 10, 2022. |
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OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT |
If you wish to object to the settlement, you must write to the Court about why you believe the settlement is unfair in any respect. The deadline for objecting is June 10, 2022. |
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DO NOTHING |
If you do nothing, you will still receive a payment from settlement and give up your rights to sue Brandt or any other released parties related to a released claim. |
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GO TO THE FINAL APPROVAL HEARING |
You may attend the Final Approval Hearing. At the Final Approval Hearing you may ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the settlement. To speak at the Final Approval Hearing, you must file a document which includes your name, address, telephone number and your signature with the Court, which must also state your intention to appear at the Final Approval Hearing. This must be filed no later than June 10, 2022. |
- These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in this Notice.
- The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the settlement. Payments (i.e., Settlement Award Checks) will be disbursed if the Court approves the settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.