Stellar Manufacturing BIPA $693K class action settlement

A settlement fund of $692,655 has been established to resolve a class action lawsuit brought by employees and others who gave biometric information such as fingerprints in order to access facilities or clock in at Stellar Manufacturing Co. in Illinois, in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). 

The settlement class consists of all individuals who used a hand or finger biometric identifier or biometric information at any of the defendant’s Illinois facilities from May 5, 2015, to Jan. 28, 2021. The settlement class includes 756 individuals.

The Stellar Manufacturing class action lawsuit stems from the alleged violation of BIPA, which requires consent before an entity collects or stores individuals’ biometric data, such as fingerprints. BIPA, originally passed in 2008, requires written disclosures and written consent to collect such biometric data. 

The law was passed because biometric information can be attached to other important information, such as Social Security numbers or financial accounts. Unlike those types of information, which can be changed if compromised, biometric information cannot be changed. Thus, Illinois passed a law restricting the use of such information and how it can be obtained.

Stellar Manufacturing Co., according to its website, manufactures solid particle products, specializing in compact granulation, briquetting, blending and tableting. It serves industries associated with water treatment chemicals, agrochemicals and detergents.

The defendants deny the claims in the lawsuit and contend they did nothing wrong, but settled the lawsuit due to the uncertain costs associated with the risk of trial.

According to the terms of the BIPA settlement agreement, class members who fill out a claim form will receive approximately $550 after attorneys’ fees, costs and the plaintiffs’ incentive awards are deducted from the settlement fund. 

The exact amount of the payment is unknown and will vary depending on several factors. The settlement administrator will calculate the final amount and will pay distributions directly to each eligible member who returns a claim form.

The deadline for exclusion and objection has passed. 

A final fairness hearing in the BIPA class action lawsuit settlement is set for Aug. 31, 2023. 

The claim form deadline is Oct. 15, 2023. Class members should have received a claim form in the mail as a postcard. A claim form is also available online.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement class consists of all individuals who used a hand or finger biometric identifier or biometric information at any of Stellar Manufacturing Co.’s Illinois facilities from May 5, 2015, to Jan. 28, 2021.

Potential Award

$550 (estimated)

Proof of Purchase

NA

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

10/15/2023

Case Name

Masters, et al. v. Stellar Manufacturing Co., et al., Case No. 20L1010, in the Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit, St. Clair County, Illinois.

Final Hearing

08/31/2023

Settlement Website

StellarFingerprintSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Powell v. Stellar Manufacturing Co.
c/o Settlement Administrator
PO Box 25244
Santa Ana, CA 92799
info@StellarFingerprintSettlement.com
888-427-9230

Class Counsel

Roberto Costales
Beaumont Costales LLC

Defense Counsel

Hayes Ryan
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP