If you may have contracted latent tuberculosis at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in 2021–2022, you may be eligible for a payment from a class action settlement.

What is this Lawsuit about?

The lawsuit alleges that the Washington Department of Corrections ("DOC") failed to take reasonable steps to prevent and control a tuberculosis outbreak at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in 2021 and 2022, causing members of the class to contract latent tuberculosis. DOC denies liability, denies wrongdoing, and denies that it is legally responsible for the class's claimed injuries.

The Court has not decided who would win if the case went to trial. Instead, the parties have agreed to settle to avoid the expense, delay, and uncertainty of further litigation.

How do I know if I am in the Settlement Class?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you fit the following class definition:

All persons who contracted latent tuberculosis while incarcerated at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, Washington, between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, as evidenced by a positive tuberculin skin test ("TST") or interferon-gamma release assay ("IGRA") blood test either during that incarceration period or within 60 days of release from DOC custody during that period. Any persons who already initiated their own individual actions against DOC based on their contraction of latent tuberculosis are excluded.

What does the Settlement provide?

DOC has agreed to create a gross Settlement Fund of $11,500,000.00. Subject to Court approval, that fund will be used to pay attorneys' fees, litigation costs, service awards, settlement administration costs, a $100,000 reserve fund, and any other Court-approved amounts. The remainder is the Net Settlement Fund.

Each valid claimant will receive an equal share of the Net Settlement Fund. The actual dollar amount of each payment is not known yet because it depends on how many valid claims are submitted and on the amounts the Court approves for deductions from the gross fund.