SAN DIEGO (CA)–Frederick Schenk is a CaseyGerry partner who has been with the firm for many years and heads the mass torts group. Judge Carolyn Kuhl, of the Los Angeles Superior Court, appointed him to the steering committee of plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed by the Social Media JCCP against the largest social media companies around the world, such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The steering committee has been tasked to oversee the civil litigation arising out of the social media addiction lawsuits filed in the Superior Courts of California. Schenk is working with a group of law firms in order to hold social media companies responsible for encouraging social media use among young people, despite the detrimental impact on their physical and mental health.
David S. Casey Jr. is the managing partner at CaseyGerry. He believes that Schenk’s nomination comes at a perfect time, given recent developments in the U.S. Vivek Murthy – a longtime advocate of mental health awareness – recently warned that social media usage is a major contributor to depression, anxieties and other problems among teenagers. New legislation in the U.S. Senate focuses on banning children under 13 years old from using social media, and requiring anyone under 18 years old to get permission from their parents or guardians to create an account.
Casey Jr. stated that “the majority of teens and young adults today use social media and there is increasing evidence to show this is detrimental to their mental health. Multiple studies have revealed the link between social media usage and depression and anxiety.” Fred is a great asset to our firm and we are happy that he will be able to play a major role in this important issue.
CaseyGerry’s mass torts team began investigating social media abuse in children in late 2017 after a former Meta (Facebook employee) published a report alleging that companies knew about addictive behaviors among their younger audiences and designed algorithms specifically to encourage them to use social media. The report contained research findings that social media addiction has a negative impact on the mental health of children, resulting in depression, suicidal thinking and suicide, antisocial behaviour, body dysmorphia, and anxiety.
The JCCP is the second attempt to hold tech companies responsible for designing social media platforms in a way that encourages use and addiction. California Senator Nancy Skinner introduced a bill last year that would have allowed the district attorneys and attorney general to bring civil suits against these companies. The tech industry heavily lobbied for the bill, which ultimately failed to pass. Skinner will reintroduce a modified version, SB 288, this year. This bill allows individuals to sue social media companies up to four years after the alleged harm was caused. Schenk is working on the passage and updating of the bill.
Schenk is a highly experienced attorney who has won numerous professional awards over the years. He has extensive experience in mass tort, product liability, and serious personal injury litigation. He is active in the community and serves on the board of directors of 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board. He was also a member of the USD School of Law’s board of visitors. Schenk has been the past president of San Diego Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates.
CaseyGerry is the oldest plaintiffs law firm in San Diego. It was founded in 1947 at 110 Laurel St., in the Banker’s Hill area of San Diego. Attorneys at the firm practice in a variety of areas including personal injury, automotive, maritime, trucking and aviation, product liability as well as sexual abuse and class actions. Visit www.caseygerry.com for more information.
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