EDWARDSVILLE — A class action lawsuit against World Wide Technology alleges the company wrongfully required prospective employees to disclose genetic information.
Steven Newbern filed the class-action complaint on Oct. 17 in the Third Judicial Circuit Court alleging World Wide Technology violated the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA).
Newbern claims in January 2023, he applied for a job with the defendant and was hired to work as a warehouse and shipping operator. He claims he had to submit to a physical examination as part of the application and hiring process and during that, he had to answer questions pertaining to his medical history.
The plaintiff and the class members' genetic information, including diseases and disorders, were solicited by the defendant, which is in violation of GIPA, according to the suit.
Newbern claims the defendant failed to advise him and the class members of their statutorily protected rights under GIPA and caused them damages.
"Plaintiff and other Class members have been aggrieved by Defendant's...violations of their statutorily protected rights to privacy in their genetic information as set forth in GIPA," the complaint states.
Newbern is seeking statutory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is represented by Timothy P. Kingsburg, Andrew T. Heldut and Joseph Dunklin of McGuire Law in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 2023-LA-001431