Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. $250,000 Settlement

Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. is in the process of settling a class action lawsuit, Richard Charitat v. Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., related to a data security incident. The incident, which was discovered on February 21, 2022, involved unauthorized access to the company's systems and files containing sensitive information about current and former employees.

Unraveling the Settlement

The settlement, which is yet to receive final approval, aims to provide compensation for the potential damages suffered by the affected individuals due to the data breach. The proposed settlement offers various benefits to the class members, including reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, lost time, and extraordinary losses, as well as a one-year subscription for credit monitoring services.

Key Dates

• Deadline to file a claim: November 9, 2023
• Fairness Hearing: November 13, 2023 (where the court will determine the fairness of the proposed settlement)
  

Who are the Beneficiaries of the Settlement?

The class members in this case are individuals identified by Pape-Dawson as being impacted by the Data Security Incident. This includes those who received a notice of the incident. The affected individuals are those whose personally identifiable information (PII) may have been compromised due to the incident. This information includes full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, state identification numbers, employment passport numbers, and medical information.

However, certain individuals are excluded from the settlement class. These include Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., related entities, judges assigned to the case and their staff and family, and individuals found guilty under criminal law or pleading nolo contendere to charges related to the Data Security Incident.

What Compensation Can Class Members Expect?

Class members are entitled to various forms of compensation under the proposed settlement. They can receive reimbursement for up to $325 for documented out-of-pocket expenses and fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or other identity theft insurance products. If they spent at least one full hour dealing with the Data Security Incident, they can be reimbursed for up to three hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour.

Moreover, class members can seek reimbursement for documented extraordinary losses, not exceeding $4,000 per member, for proven actual monetary losses resulting from fraud or misuse related to the incident. All class members are also eligible for a one-year subscription to credit monitoring services through CyEx.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, proof is required to claim the reward. Class members need to provide documentation of out-of-pocket expenses, credit reports, credit monitoring or identity theft insurance product fees, and extraordinary losses. They also need to provide details of extraordinary losses, efforts to avoid or seek reimbursement for losses, and evidence of actual misuse or fraud.

Why is there a Class Action Settlement?

The class action lawsuit was filed in response to a data security incident at Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. The incident involved unauthorized access to the company's systems and files, potentially compromising sensitive information about current and former employees. The settlement aims to compensate the affected individuals for the potential damages they suffered due to the data breach. The next step for class members is to submit a valid claim form by the deadline to be eligible for the compensation.