Facebook Moderator Class Action Website Is Active

UPDATE:

• The Court has granted final approval to this settlement, plaintiffs announced July 22, 2021.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

The website for a Facebook moderator settlement is now active, although moderators will have to wait for some time before they can file claims under the $52 million deal.

According to the settlement website, the settlement will benefit current and former Facebook moderators who worked for the company in Facebook in California, Arizona, Texas or Florida as an employee or subcontractor of one or more Facebook vendors between Sept. 15, 2015 and Aug. 14, 2020.

These Class Members will be able to file a claim for a $1,000 medical screening payment and up to $50,000 in additional damage awards if they have various qualifying conditions. Conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, anxiety disorder, depression or an unspecified trauma or stress-related disorder.

Though the website is live, the settlement is not accepting claims at this time. A judge has yet to approve the settlement deal. Top Class Actions will provide information on how to file a claim as soon as the details are available.

The settlement also aims to provide workplace reforms that would help Facebook moderators better handle the graphic content they are exposed to. These reforms include requiring on-site coaching to moderators with licensed clinicians and tooling enhancements designed to mitigate the long term consequences of exposure to upsetting material.

Once the claims process opens, Class Members will be able to file a valid claim form before a yet-unspecified deadline. Class Members will also have the opportunity to object to the settlement or exclude themselves by Oct. 23, 2020.

The final approval hearing for the Facebook moderator class action settlement is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2020. At this hearing, the Court will decide whether the $52 million deal is a fair resolution to claims that Facebook put their moderators at risk for emotional injuries such as PTSD.

Plaintiff Selena Scola filed her Facebook moderator class action lawsuit in 2018, arguing that she and other moderators suffered from severe trauma over the course of their jobs.

Scola reportedly worked for Facebook’s contractor Pro Unlimited as a content moderator. During her job, she was allegedly exposed to graphic media involving rapes, beheadings, murder, suicide and child sexual abuse. As a result of this content, Scola says she developed PTSD.

Although PTSD is often seen in veterans, the disorder can develop after any trauma including abuse, assault or even viewing triggering content. In fact, Scola argues PTSD and other negative consequences are “well documented” in people exposed to graphic content.

Due to her trauma, Scola allegedly suffers difficulties in her daily life due to her triggers — even beyond how these triggers interfere with her work. Touching a computer mouse, seeing graphic content outside of work and other experiences allegedly trigger her PTSD symptoms.

Many other Facebook moderator employees have reportedly experienced the same trauma. In fact, some moderators have allegedly been forced to turn to marijuana and other drugs to numb their emotions — while being paid only $28,000 a year for their troubles.

According to Scola’s class action lawsuit, Facebook moderators are denied support by their employer. The social media giant allegedly knows the consequences of being exposed to graphic media but fails to protect its employees and subcontractors from this harm.

“Instead, the multibillion ­dollar corporation affirmatively requires its content moderators to work under conditions known to cause and exacerbate psychological trauma,” the Facebook moderator class action lawsuit claims.

“By requiring its content moderators to work in dangerous conditions that cause debilitating physical and psychological harm, Facebook violates California law.”

Scola sought to force Facebook to provide its moderators not only with monetary compensation but also with the support they need. This includes psychological resources, counseling and other wellness options.

Luckily, some of these changes will be implemented as part of the $52 million settlement reached between Scola and Facebook.

Facebook has not admitted any wrongdoing by settling the claims against it. However, the settlement does allow Scola and the proposed Class to secure monetary and non-monetary compensation. The deal also lets all involved parties escape the risks and costs of continuing to litigate the issue through a trial.

Did you work as a Facebook moderator or in another position that exposed you to upsetting, graphic content? Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Scola and the settlement Class are represented by Joseph R. Saveri, Steven N. Williams, Kevin Rayhill and Kyle Quackenbush of Joseph Saveri Law Firm Inc.; Korey A. Nelson, Lydia A. Wright and Amanda Klevorn of Burns Charest LLP; Warren Burns, Daniel Charest and Kyle Oxford of Burns Charest LLP; and William Most of the Law Office of William Most.

The Facebook Moderator Trauma Class Action Lawsuit is Scola v. Facebook Inc., et al., Case No. 18­CIV­0513, in Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Mateo.

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