Almost exactly a year ago, the first COVID-19 tuition
reimbursement lawsuits were filed against higher education
institutions across the United States and we warned of the continued onslaught of such
litigation. With the filing of those reimbursement class
actions decreasing, higher education institutions should be
cognizant of a potential new wave of COVID-19 class actions:
privacy class action lawsuits related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
In Doe v. University of Cincinnati, plaintiffs
allege that the defendants provided UC Health, LLC, "a private
third-party entity" with personal information of each of its
students in order to assist with the ability to provide
vaccinations.
By providing this information, plaintiffs allege defendants
violated Ohio Privacy Act, R.C. 1347 because such transfer occurred
"without each individual student knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently consenting."
