Mullins Food Products Settles BIPA Lawsuit for $1,000,000

If you worked at Mullins Food Products, Inc., and utilized a finger scan timekeeping system, you may be eligible to claim between $700 and $800 from a class action settlement.

Mullins Food Products, Inc. has agreed to pay $1,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by capturing, collecting, storing, disseminating, disclosing, and/or otherwise using biometric information without consent.

Who Can Claim an Award?

The settlement includes all individuals who work or worked for Mullins Food Products in Illinois and used a finger scan timekeeping system that captured, collected, stored, disseminated, disclosed, and/or otherwise used any alleged biometric identifier or biometric information in connection with their employment without first providing written consent from February 24, 2016, to the present.

If you are unsure whether you are included in the settlement, you can visit the official settlement website or call the toll-free number for assistance.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Mullins Food Products has agreed to make payments to the settlement class members and cover notice and administrative costs out of the settlement fund. Following the effective date, Mullins Food Products will pay a total of $1,000,000 into the settlement fund. Each settlement class member will automatically be sent a claim settlement check on a pro rata basis, not to exceed $1,321.10 per member, with an estimated net payment amount of $700 to $800 per member.

Settlement class members will receive their claim settlement payments to their last known address within approximately 60 days following the effective date, but payments will be made only after the court grants final approval to the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Not applicable. The settlement administrator already has the information of the settlement class members, so no additional proof is required to claim the reward.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you do not need to take any action if you are a member of the settlement class. You will automatically receive your payment by check sent to your last known address.

How do I Get Paid?

Payments will be made by check sent to the last known address of the settlement class members.

$1,000,000 Settlement Fund Breakdown

The settlement fund of $1,000,000 will cover the following:

• Payments to settlement class members
• Notice and administrative costs
• Attorneys' fees and expenses
• Service awards to the class representatives

Class Counsel intends to request up to $400,000 for attorneys' fees, plus actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the litigation. Service awards of $4,500 will be paid to each of the class representatives.

Important Dates

• Exclusion Deadline: September 10, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: September 30, 2024

When is the Mullins Food Products Settlement Payout Date?

Payments will be made approximately 60 days following the effective date, after the court grants final approval to the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The lawsuit alleges that Mullins Food Products violated the Biometric Information Privacy Act by capturing, collecting, storing, disseminating, disclosing, and/or otherwise using biometric information without proper consent and written disclosures required by the statute. Mullins Food Products denies any wrongdoing, but both sides have agreed to a settlement to avoid the costs and uncertainty of a trial.

Biometric Information Privacy Act Violations

The Biometric Information Privacy Act is an Illinois law that regulates the collection and use of biometric information. The lawsuit claims that Mullins Food Products did not comply with the requirements of this law.

What Happens Next?

The court will hold a final approval hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, payments will be distributed to the settlement class members. Please be patient as the process may take some time.