Jury Verdicts & Settlements

Latest jury verdicts, settlements, and legal outcome analysis

Final Approval for City of Hope Data Breach Settlement

The Superior Court of California finalized a class action settlement on February 20, 2026, resolving litigation against the City of Hope following a significant 2023 data security incident. The lawsuit, led by Carli Rodriguez and other representative Plaintiffs, alleged that cybercriminals infiltrated the medical center's network and accessed the private health information of over 770,000 individuals. While the organization denied any liability or wrongdoing, it agreed to a settlement that includes $2,833,333 in attorneys' fees and service awards of $4,000 for each representative Plaintiff. The Court confirmed that the agreement was reached through arm's-length negotiations and deemed the resolution fair and adequate for the settlement class.

Privacy

Huge Payout in WhatsApp Spyware Lawsuit Against NSO Group

In a landmark legal victory for digital privacy, a California jury held the Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group accountable for exploiting a critical vulnerability in the WhatsApp messaging platform. The case centered on the deployment of "Pegasus" spyware, which NSO Group successfully injected into the devices of roughly 1,400 users—ranging from journalists to government officials—by bypassing end-to-end encryption. The jury found that NSO Group acted with malice and fraud, leading to a staggering $167 million punitive damage award intended to deter the future development of unauthorized surveillance technology.

Consumer protection

Women’s Health App Data Privacy and CIPA Violation Verdict

In a landmark privacy dispute, users of the Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker sued Flo Health and several tech giants, including Meta and Google, after a 2019 investigation revealed the unauthorized sharing of intimate health data. The plaintiffs alleged that despite strict privacy promises, their reproductive details were funneled to third-party advertisers for profit. The litigation culminated in a jury verdict finding that Meta intentionally intercepted these private communications without user consent, violating the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). This case underscores the legal boundaries of data sharing in the digital health era and the high expectation of privacy regarding medical information.

Securities Fraud

Zoom $150M Securities Fraud Class Action Settlement

In a landmark resolution within the Northern District of California, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. agreed to a $150,000,000 settlement to resolve a securities class action lawsuit led by investor Michael Drieu. The legal battle began after Zoom’s stock price reached record highs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by corporate assurances of "end-to-end encryption" and robust privacy protocols. However, the plaintiff alleged that these claims were deceptive, revealing that Zoom’s servers maintained access to decryption keys and that user data was shared with third parties like Facebook without proper disclosure. Following a series of stock price drops and institutional bans on the software, investors sued for financial losses. While Zoom denied any intentional wrongdoing and successfully dismissed portions of the complaint, the tech giant ultimately opted for a massive payout to end the litigation, marking one of the most significant pandemic-era settlements in the tech sector.

Privacy

LAPD Officer, City Settle Baggett Misconduct Case

On October 20, 2019, Los Angeles police discovered Elizabeth Baggett deceased in her home. Plaintiffs alleged Officer David Rojas molested her remains, recorded bodycam video, and shared it, causing severe emotional distress. They sued Rojas and the City of Los Angeles for privacy invasion, mishandling of remains, and related claims. Both defendants denied liability and raised multiple defenses. The case concluded with a conditional $250,000 settlement, approved by the Court on December 12, 2024.

Privacy

Google Hit with $314.6M Data Misuse Verdict

Plaintiffs accused Google of misusing Android users’ cellular data allowances through undisclosed “passive” transfers. They claimed the practice caused financial harm and benefited Google’s advertising business. Google denied all allegations and raised multiple affirmative defenses. On July 1, 2025, the court awarded $314,626,932 in damages to the plaintiffs, holding Google liable for the full amount.

Privacy

$300K Verdict in Restroom Recording Harassment Case

In a workplace harassment and privacy invasion lawsuit, Jane Doe and John Doe sued Eye for Optical, Inc. and owner Kenneth Chang after discovering a hidden camera in an employee restroom. The jury found the conduct egregious and awarded Jane Doe $300,000 in punitive damages—$200,000 against Chang and $100,000 against the company—highlighting the seriousness of the misconduct and its emotional toll on the plaintiffs.

Privacy

Influencer Wins $52.8M in Sex Tape Privacy Lawsuit

A Florida jury awarded $52.8 million to influencer Danielle McQueen after she sued fellow influencer Gregory Harris for secretly recording and selling a sex video without her consent. The jury found Harris acted with specific intent to harm and awarded both compensatory and punitive damages, concluding his conduct was driven by financial gain and a reckless disregard for McQueen’s rights.

Breach of Contract

WhatsApp Wins Landmark $6M NSO Group Hacking Case

In a landmark decision, a California jury found NSO Group liable for hacking roughly 1,400 mobile phones belonging to attorneys, activists, and journalists. The verdict confirms that NSO Group violated federal and state computer intrusion laws, making it a pivotal case for digital privacy and cybersecurity enforcement.