On March 8, 2019, we filed a class action complaint against MDOC and Corizon Health, Inc., among other parties, in the Eastern District of Michigan. The
Pearson v. Washington, et. al., complaint alleges that women who were incarcerated at WHV were exposed to and contracted Sarcoptes scabiei ("scabies") after having been denied adequate medical care. For years, the women requested treatment for rashes, bites, and the constant itching they experienced. Their pleas were ignored. Defendants failed to provide adequate access to medical care with properly trained staff, resources to properly test scabies, and medication to treat scabies. Defendants failed to implement proper screening procedures, quarantine measures, and disinfecting policies, allowing scabies to spread. To view the Amended Complaint, filed on September 25, 2020,
click here.
The hearing scheduled for November 9, 2023 was canceled by the Court and did not occur.
On February 5, 2024, the Court extended the pause of discovery for another 90 days, or pending the resolution of Corizon's bankruptcy proceedings, whichever is earlier. However, the Court allowed MDOC to file a Motion to Dismiss while discovery is paused. That Motion is pending.
We are still monitoring Corizon's bankruptcy matter, but there are no updates to provide on that right now.
An update letter was sent on September 14, 2023. If you have not received the update letter and believe you should have, please click the link below.
We are still monitoring Corizon's bankruptcy filing and will let you know when there is more information to provide. Our case has been reassigned to Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III and our next hearing is scheduled for November 9, 2023.
For more information, please refer to the update letter.
The status conference for Pearson was held today. We do not have any other information to provide at this time and we will send an update letter when there are more substantial updates. Thank you!
We switched to a new case management system to maintain the contact information for all of our clients. Unfortunately, there was a glitch in the system that prevented many of our recently released clients from receiving the new update letter by mail. We will not be mass-mailing update letters to those who did not receive them because the letters are now two months old, but we have corrected the problem to ensure that everyone with a current address receives the next update letter.
Update letters were mailed today! Please allow two weeks for delivery. As a reminder, do not call our office for updates because we cannot give updates over the phone.
A class action lawsuit is when a group of individuals (Plaintiffs) file a lawsuit against a common party or multiple parties (Defendants), alleging that the Defendants wronged the Plaintiffs in the same or similar way.
Plaintiffs include class representatives and class members. Class representatives are a small group of people (usually named in the lawsuit) who pursue claims on behalf of themselves and other people who have similar claims. Class members are all other individuals who have similar claims against the same Defendants.
Defendants are the companies, entities, or persons who are sued.
Once the case is filed, a judge or jury will resolve the claims. Their decision resolves the claims for both class representatives and class members, except those who have opted out of the lawsuit.
Class actions can often take years
While criminal cases typically involve frequent court hearings, it is not abnormal for civil cases, especially class actions, to go weeks or months without a hearing. In criminal cases, the defense receives discovery from the prosecution within weeks of the arraignment. In civil cases, the parties each request discovery from each other, and there are often disagreements over what must be disclosed to the other party. Additionally, if there is a resolution in a class action case, there will be a few months before plaintiffs receive any compensation from that resoltuion.
Are You A Current Class Member With New Contact Information?
If you are a current class member who was recently released or otherwise need to update your contact information, please click below to provide your new address and/or phone number. Once you submit your information on this form, it is sent directly to our staff who will ensure that your updated address is included on future communications.
If you are looking to check your eligibility, please choose the "Am I Eligible" tab.
Class Definitions
Pearson v. Washington, et. al. includes all currently and formerly incarcerated persons at WHV who, while incarcerated, had a skin rash consistent with scabies infestation and who were denied treatment, or whose delayed treatment caused the condition to worsen, since November 2016.
If you believe that you are eligible for this case, please fill out the requested information below and someone will contact you.
Providing your information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information to us until an attorney-client relationship has been established.
The Law Offices of David S. Steingold, PLLC is co-counsel with Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonnani & Rivers; Marko Law, PLLC; Excolo Law; and Nichols Kaster, PLLP for the WHV cases.