United Airlines GIPA Genetic Privacy Investigation
Genetic Privacy · Investigation

United Airlines Genetic Privacy (GIPA) Investigation — Illinois

Published March 5, 2023
Updated June 22, 2026

Illinois residents who were asked about their family medical history while applying to or working at United Airlines may have a claim under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA).

United Airlines aircraft representing the Illinois GIPA genetic privacy investigation
Photo: Unsplash
Allegations Only · No Settlement Yet

This page describes a potential class action investigation. Whether United Airlines violated GIPA is unproven, no class has been certified, and there is nothing to claim at this time. This page is informational and is not legal advice.

What's the Illinois Genetic Privacy Investigation About?

Law firms are investigating United Airlines over claims from Illinois residents that they were asked about their family medical history during the application process or while employed at United Airlines. The Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) generally does not allow an employer to ask about your family's health history, because doing so can intrude on the privacy of family members who never consented to having their medical conditions shared.

The investigation alleges that asking about family medical history in these circumstances would violate GIPA. If you are an Illinois resident and were asked within the last five years about your family's health history by a manager or someone else at United Airlines during the hiring process or your employment there, fill out the form on this page to see whether you may be eligible for potential compensation.

Status Investigation · No Settlement Yet Attorneys are reviewing potential GIPA claims
Who May Be Covered Illinois United Airlines employees & applicants Asked about family medical history in roughly the last 5 years
Can I Claim? No — submit your info No certified class or claim form yet

What Are GIPA and GINA? What's the Difference?

GIPA — Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act. GIPA is an Illinois law that seeks to protect the genetic information of Illinois residents. The protection covers individuals' privacy and non-discrimination based on "genetic" information, as defined by HIPAA. Generally, the law does not allow employers to make decisions based on certain HIPAA-defined "genetic" factors such as RNA, DNA, proteins, chromosomes, metabolites, mutations, or chromosomal changes. It also prohibits the release of some of this private information to anyone other than the person being genetically tested. This is similar to how personally identifiable information is protected.

GINA — Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. GINA is the federal counterpart. The law aims to protect Americans from employers who might otherwise fire, refuse to hire, or treat someone unfairly on the basis of genetic information or family medical history. Under GINA, "genetic" information can include data about a gene test, family medical history, gene tests of a family member, or genetic information about a fetus, embryo, or reproductive information of an individual.

How Were My Rights Allegedly Violated? What Can I Do?

If you are an Illinois resident, and you were asked about your family's medical history sometime in the past 5 years during any of the following while applying to or working at United Airlines, United may have violated the Genetic Information Privacy Act and you may be eligible for compensation:

• A pre-employment physical,
• During the interview process, or
• Anytime during employment.

If this describes you, submit your information using the form below to see whether you may qualify.



For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Status Investigation · No suit filed
Law Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA), 410 ILCS 513
Who May Be Covered Illinois United Airlines employees & applicants asked about family medical history (≈ last 5 years)
Statutory Damages Up to $2,500 per negligent violation; up to $15,000 per intentional or reckless violation

More Illinois Genetic Privacy (GIPA) Investigations