Vonachen Services Inc Settlement for BIPA Violations: $780 Award

Vonachen Services Inc. has agreed to pay $1,835,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This settlement benefits individuals who worked at one of VSI's facilities in Illinois and used an alleged biometric timekeeping system for timekeeping purposes between November 1, 2014, and January 18, 2024.

Who Benefits?: The settlement benefits 1,360 individuals identified who worked at one of Defendant’s facilities in Illinois, whose biometric identifiers or information were allegedly captured, obtained, used, or disclosed by Defendant in violation of BIPA.

How much can I get?: Class Counsel estimates that Settlement Class members will receive $780 as an Initial Settlement Award Check.

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: Class Members do not need to file a claim to receive a reward, pending the Final Approval Hearing.
• Final Approval Hearing: August 22, 2024

Can I Claim an Award?

The Settlement Class includes 1,360 individuals who worked at one of VSI's facilities in Illinois and whose biometric identifiers or information were allegedly captured, obtained, used, or disclosed by VSI in violation of BIPA between November 1, 2014, and January 18, 2024. If you received an email or postcard about this settlement, it is because VSI's records indicate that you may be a member of the Settlement Class.

To be a part of the Settlement Class, you must meet the criteria mentioned above. If you are still unsure whether you are included, you can visit the official settlement website or write to the Settlement Administrator for more information.

How Much is the Award?

All Settlement Class Members will receive a cash payment, provided their last known address can be determined. The estimated share of the Settlement Fund for each member is $780. This amount may vary depending on the costs of notice and administration, as well as the reasonable costs, attorney’s fees, and incentive awards approved by the Court.

Any money remaining in the Settlement Fund after paying all Settlement Award Checks to Settlement Class Members, attorneys’ fees and costs to Class Counsel, any service awards to Plaintiffs, and the costs of notice and administration of the settlement will be distributed on a pro rata basis to those Settlement Class Members who cashed their Initial Settlement Award Check, provided the amount to be distributed per Claimant is at least $5.00. Any subsequent distribution will be made within thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the Initial Settlement Award Check.

Biometric Timekeeping Systems and Privacy Concerns

The settlement revolves around the use of biometric timekeeping systems at VSI's facilities. These systems allegedly captured, obtained, used, or disclosed biometric identifiers or information without proper consent, in violation of BIPA.

• Biometric identifiers include fingerprints, retina or iris scans, voiceprints, and hand or face geometry.
• Biometric information refers to any information based on an individual’s biometric identifier used to identify an individual.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

No proof is required to claim the reward. Your portion of the settlement funds will be sent to your last known address, along with a 1099 form.

How to Claim Your Award

There is nothing you need to do to obtain a payment from the Settlement. Your portion of the settlement funds will be sent to your last known address. For more information, you can visit the official settlement website at .

If you wish to exclude yourself from the settlement, you must submit a written Opt-Out Request to the Settlement Administrator by July 8, 2024. The request must include your name, address, and a statement that you wish to be excluded from the Vonachen Services Inc. BIPA Settlement.

$1,835,000 Settlement Fund

Vonachen Services Inc. has agreed to pay $1,835,000 into a fund to cover cash payments to Settlement Class Members, attorneys’ fees and expenses, service awards to the Plaintiffs, and the costs of notice and administration of the Settlement.

The final cash payment amount for each Settlement Class Member will depend on the costs of notice and administration, as well as the reasonable costs, attorney’s fees, and incentive awards approved by the Court.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The class action lawsuit claims that VSI violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by failing to obtain individuals’ informed written consent before collecting, capturing, or otherwise obtaining their biometric data, failing to implement and adhere to a written policy for permanently destroying the biometric data in its possession, and failing to obtain individuals’ informed consent before disclosing or redisclosing their biometric data to VSI’s timekeeping system vendor. VSI denies these allegations and any wrongdoing.

The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or VSI. Instead, the parties agreed to this settlement to avoid the risk and cost of a trial, and to provide compensation to the Settlement Class members. The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on August 22, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement.