A class action lawsuit has been filed against a major trucking company, alleging negligence in data security that led to a massive data breach affecting over 122,960 individuals. The complaint was filed by plaintiffs Paul Jolly II and Andre Jones on December 4, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin against WEL Companies, Inc. The plaintiffs claim that the company’s inadequate data protection measures resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license details.
The lawsuit details how WEL Companies, a transportation service provider specializing in refrigerated trucking, announced on November 18, 2025, that it had suffered a data breach. This breach was discovered on January 31, 2025, when an unauthorized actor accessed the company’s systems. Subsequently, a hacker group named Ransomhub claimed responsibility for obtaining 189 GB of data from WEL and threatened to release it on the dark web if their demands were not met. The plaintiffs argue that WEL’s failure to implement reasonable security measures directly led to this breach and increased the risk of identity theft and fraud for those affected.
According to the complaint, WEL failed to provide timely notification of the breach and did not adequately protect its employees’ private information despite industry standards and federal regulations requiring such measures. The plaintiffs assert that WEL’s negligence is evident through its lack of encryption and proper security protocols which left sensitive information vulnerable to cyberattacks. They also allege that WEL breached implied contracts with its employees by failing to safeguard their personal information as promised.
The plaintiffs are seeking various forms of relief from the court. They request compensation for damages resulting from identity theft risks and financial losses due to the compromised data. Additionally, they seek injunctive relief mandating WEL to enhance its cybersecurity practices significantly. This includes implementing comprehensive information security programs and regular audits by independent third-party experts.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Kathryn Llaurado Scheidt from Murphy & Prachthauser S.C., based in Wisconsin, along with Ronald Podolny from Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group in Florida. The case is presided over under Case ID: 1:25-cv-01911.
Source: 125cv01911_Jolly_III_v_Wel_Companies_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
