A recent class action lawsuit has been filed against a construction company following a significant data breach that compromised the personal information of thousands of individuals. On December 11, 2024, Moises Castillo filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Berry Bros. General Contractors, Inc., alleging negligence and failure to protect sensitive employee and customer data.
The case revolves around a data breach that occurred between August 13 and August 21, 2024, during which unauthorized parties accessed personally identifiable information (PII) held by Berry Bros. This breach affected over 6,210 individuals, including current and former employees like Castillo. The plaintiff argues that Berry Bros.'s inadequate cybersecurity measures were responsible for the breach. According to the complaint, the company failed to implement reasonable security protocols and neglected to monitor its systems effectively, leaving sensitive information vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Castillo claims that as a result of this negligence, he and other class members face an increased risk of identity theft and fraud. The stolen PII can be used for various criminal activities such as opening new financial accounts or filing fraudulent tax returns. The lawsuit highlights that Berry Bros.'s actions violated several legal obligations, including industry standards and Federal Trade Commission guidelines on data protection.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for the harm caused by the breach, reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to identity theft prevention measures, and injunctive relief to improve Berry Bros.'s data security practices. They also demand that Berry Bros. provide adequate credit monitoring services for affected individuals.
Representing Moises Castillo is attorney Tom Kherkher from EKSM LLP in Houston, Texas. The case is presided over by judges from the Western District of Louisiana under Case ID 6:24-cv-1723.