What compensation is available in a HireRight case?

Question

I applied for a position I was genuinely qualified for and the offer was pulled after a HireRight background check came back with a criminal record that isn't mine. HR would not tell me more than "the report came back with a concern." When I pulled my report I could see it instantly, wrong person, wrong details, attached to my file anyway. I disputed it but HireRight came back with "verified." Now I'm sitting here with no job and no clear answer on what I'm actually owed.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

When HireRight reports inaccurate criminal records, the FCRA holds consumer reporting agencies to a "maximum possible accuracy" standard, and a "verified" rubber-stamp after a dispute does not meet that bar. If HireRight's error caused your offer to be rescinded, you may be in a strong position to recover damages from HireRight under the FCRA (15 U.S.C. §§ 1681n and 1681o).

Actual damages: lost wages, out-of-pocket losses, and other quantifiable financial harm caused by the bad report.
Damages for emotional distress: anxiety, humiliation, and the stress of watching an opportunity vanish due to someone else's error.
Statutory damages: between $100 and $1,000 per willful violation, without needing to prove the exact dollar amount of harm.
Punitive damages: available when a court finds HireRight acted willfully or recklessly (e.g., rubber-stamping a dispute without a real investigation).
Attorney's fees and costs: paid by HireRight if you win, meaning you owe us nothing out of pocket.

A HireRight settlement can range significantly depending on the facts, the severity of the error, whether you were denied employment, and how HireRight handled your dispute. If you received a pre-adverse or adverse action notice and the job is gone, reach out to Consumer Attorneys today. We'll review your case for free, and if HireRight violated your rights, we help you recover damages from HireRight under the FCRA, at no cost to you.