RelaDyne employee finger scan $121K class action settlement

RelaDyne agreed to pay $120,900 as part of a settlement to resolve claims it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) with fingerprint time clocks.

The settlement benefits individuals who scanned their fingers for timekeeping while working for RelaDyne LLC in Illinois since Nov. 10, 2013.

RelaDyne is an automotive, industrial and commercial lubricants provider. The company was formed when Mid-Town Petroleum, Oil Distributing Co., The Hurt Co. and Pumpelly Oil Co. combined in 2010. RelaDyne is headquartered in Cincinnati but has locations in Chicago and other parts of Illinois. 

According to a 2018 class action lawsuit from RelaDyne workers, the company violated Illinois law by requiring its employees to use fingerprint timekeeping devices. Although state law does not expressly prohibit these devices, businesses using biometric timekeeping technology must comply with BIPA.

BIPA standardizes how businesses can collect, store, use and share Illinoisians’ biometrics, such as fingerprints, voice profiles, retina scans and facial geometry scans. Businesses are required to provide certain disclosures to individuals before collecting their information and must maintain a public retention schedule so that consumers know exactly how, why and for how long businesses have their information.

RelaDyne allegedly fails to provide the required BIPA disclosures and fails to get written consent before collecting employee fingerprints. The plaintiff in the case argues that he and other RelaDyne employees were entitled to BIPA damages of thousands of dollars for every time their information was collected without proper consent and disclosures. 

RelaDyne hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these allegations with a $120,900 class action settlement.

Under the terms of the RelaDyne settlement, class members can receive a cash payment. Each class member will receive an equal share of the net settlement fund after various expenses are deducted. 

Exact payment amounts will vary, but according to the settlement website, each class member’s payment is estimated to be at least $750. 

If funds remain in the settlement account after payment distribution, the money will be distributed to a cy pres recipient selected by the court. No funds will revert to the defendants, even if they are unclaimed by class members.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Nov. 9, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the RelaDyne settlement is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2022.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Nov. 30, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who scanned their fingers for timekeeping while working for RelaDyne LLC in Illinois since 11/10/2013

Potential Award

$750

Proof of Purchase

Proof of purchase not applicable

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

11/30/2022

Case Name

Marzec v. Reladyne LLC, Case No. 2018- CH-14101, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Final Hearing

12/15/2022

Settlement Website

ReladyneBIPASettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Claims Administrator
Reladyne BIPA Settlement
P.O. Box 2002
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2002
info@ReladyneBIPASettlement.com
855-549-0867

Class Counsel

Evan M. Meyers
Timothy P. Kingsbury
MCGUIRE LAW PC

Kasif Khowaja
THE KHOWAJA LAW FIRM LLC

James X. Bormes
LAW OFFICE OF JAMES X BORMES PC

Defense Counsel

Phillip M. Schreiber
Rachel Agius
Melissa Gold
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP