Florida minor drops Meta claims days before bellwether trial

The plaintiff in the second Los Angeles social media addiction bellwether trial dismissed his case against Meta Platforms Inc. on Wednesday without receiving any payment from the company, days before jury selection was scheduled to begin.

Meta said evidence developed during discovery showed the plaintiff, R.K.C., averaged less than 10 minutes per day on Facebook and Instagram and created most of the accounts at issue six months before filing suit.

Meta said the dismissal reflected its decision to defend, rather than settle, claims it believes lack merit.

The lawsuit alleged social media companies defectively designed their platforms to encourage compulsive use that contributed to his mental health problems. YouTube and TikTok previously settled, and Snapchat reportedly reached a confidential settlement earlier this week, leaving Meta as the sole remaining defendant before the dismissal.

The plaintiff's attorneys said in a statement, "R.K.C. came into this process wanting to hold social media companies accountable and push for changes to protect young people like himself. He did that. In light of the overall successful result of the litigation and his concerns about enduring a grueling weekslong trial, he has elected to withdraw his claims against Meta.

"He's ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in therapy as he aspires to have a normal life. We're proud of what this case has helped accomplish, and we hope the justice he's achieved allows him to move on," Morgan & Morgan attorney Emily Jeffcott and Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP partner Rahul Ravipudi said in a joint statement.

Butler Snow LLP partner Orlando R. Richmond Sr. had been scheduled to lead Meta's defense when jury selection began July 27.

The coordinated litigation before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl will continue with additional bellwether trials scheduled later this year and in 2027. Social Media Cases, JCCP5255 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Oct. 24, 2022).

The first bellwether trial concluded in March with a $6 million verdict against Meta and Google in favor of plaintiff Kaley G.M. Snap, while TikTok settled with Kaley before trial.