Traumatized Facebook monitors agree to $52M settlement

More than 10,000 workers who said they suffered psychological trauma monitoring sensitive content for Facebook agreed to a $52 million settlement Tuesday.

The workers, who were employed by Facebook vendors, sued in San Mateo County Superior Court alleging the tech giant didn't protect them from psychological trauma following chronic exposure to graphic content such as child sexual abuse, beheadings and terrorism.

The Joseph Saveri Firm and Burns Charest LLP represented the class, which spans workers in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Scola v. Facebook Inc., 18-CIV05135 (S.M. Super. Ct. filed Sept. 21, 2018).

"We are so pleased that Facebook worked with us to create an unprecedented program to help people performing work that was unimaginable even a few years ago. The harm that can be suffered from this work is real and severe," co-lead class counsel Joseph Saveri said in a statement.

"We are grateful to the people who do this important work to make Facebook a safe environment for everyone. We're committed to providing them additional support through this settlement and in the future," a Facebook statement read.

"This groundbreaking litigation fixed a major workplace problem involving developing technology and its impact on real workers who suffered in order to make Facebook safer for its users," said co-lead class counsel Daniel Charest of Burns Charest.

Each class member will receive $1,000 and could get $50,000 depending on the amount in the remaining settlement fund. Those diagnosed with illnesses related to viewing the content could receive payment for medical treatment.

-- Justin Kloczko