Watershed Foods $122,500 Privacy Class Action Settlement

Individuals who applied for a job at Watershed Foods or worked for the company in Illinois from Sept. 5, 2018, through the present and whom the company asked about their family medical history may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Watershed Foods LLC agreed to pay $122,500 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it violated the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act by requesting genetic information, such as family medical history, from job applicants and employees during employment-related medical examinations.

Who are the class members?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They lived in Illinois and applied for employment with Watershed Foods or the company employed them at any time from Sept. 5, 2018, through the present.
• Watershed Foods directly or indirectly requested their genetic information, including family medical history, in connection with their application for employment or employment with the company.

How much are settlement payments?

Pro rata cash payment: Eligible class members will receive a pro rata cash payment from the net settlement fund.

No claim form required

Class members do not need to file a claim to receive a settlement payment.

Payout options

• Paper check mailed to the address on file

Settlement fund breakdown

The $122,500 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and expenses: Up to $49,000
• Service award to class representative: Up to $10,000
• Payments to class members: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline: July 6, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Aug. 3, 2026

When is the Watershed Foods GIPA settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members approximately 40 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

This class action lawsuit alleged Watershed Foods LLC violated the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act by requesting genetic information, such as family medical history, from employees and job applicants during employment-related medical exams.

Watershed Foods denies the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement website FAQ page
3. Settlement agreement