Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies

In conducting our business, we may become involved in legal proceedings. We will accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. The accrual for a litigation loss contingency might include, for example, estimates of potential damages, outside legal fees and other directly related costs expected to be incurred.

Legal Proceedings 

Settlement of Consolidated Securities Class Action

As previously disclosed, on April 29, 2020, a securities class action case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and our former CEO. The action is captioned Daniel Yannes, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated vs. SCWorx Corp. and Marc S. Schessel,. Subsequently, two additional class actions were filed in the same court (Leeburn v. SCWorx, et ano. and Leonard v. SCWorx et ano.) and thereafter, the three class actions were consolidated (the “Consolidated Class Action”). The Consolidated Class Action alleged that our company and our former CEO misled investors in connection with our April 13, 2020 press release with respect to the sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits.

As previously disclosed, on February 11, 2022, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement (subject to Court approval) to settle the Consolidated Class Action. The settlement resolves all claims asserted against SCWorx and the other named defendant without any admission, concession or finding of any fault, liability or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. Under the terms of this agreement, (i) the insurers for the Company and Marc Schessel (former CEO) agreed to a cash payment to the class plaintiffs (ii) the former CEO agreed to transfer 100,000 shares of company common stock to the class plaintiffs, and (iii) the Company agreed to issue $600,000 worth of common stock to the class plaintiffs, in exchange for which all parties were released from all claims related to the securities class action litigation. After giving effect to the share issuance by the Company, the Company believes that it has satisfied the accrued retention liability of $700,000. By order dated March 22, 2022, the Court granted preliminary approval of the class action. After a fairness hearing held on June 29, 2022, the Court approved the Stipulation of Settlement. On June 5, 2023, the Company issued all shares owed under the Stipulation of Settlement. The Company has now fulfilled all of its obligations under the Stipulation of Settlement

CorProminence d/b/a Core IR v. SCWorx

AAA Arbitration Case 01-22-0001-5709

As previously disclosed, on April 25, 2022, the Company received a Demand for Arbitration along with a Statement of Claim filed by Core IR with the American Arbitration Association seeking damages in the amount of approximately $190,000.00 arising out of a marketing and consulting agreement. The Company filed its answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims on May 16, 2022. By order of the arbitrator dated November 1, 2022, Core IR received permission to amend its Statement of Claim to increase its request for damages to $257,545.63. The arbitration hearing commenced on March 20, 2023 and is currently scheduled to resume September 6, 2023.

Hadrian Equities Partners, LLC et ano. v. SCWorx Corp,

Case No. 22-cv-07096 (JLR) (S.D.N.Y)

On August 19, 2022, Hadrian Equities Partners, LLC and the Phillip W. Caprio, Jr. 2007 Irrevocable Trust filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that SCWorx was dilatory and did not comply with its alleged contractual duties to remove the restrictions from Plaintiffs’ converted AMMA stock to SCWorx stock until August 10 and August 11, 2020. Plaintiffs allege that as a result, they were unable to sell their SCWorx stock when SCWorx was trading at its highest price on April 13, 2020. The Complaint seeks $500,000 in damages. To date, the Complaint has not been served. Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on November 28, 2022. On February 6, 2023, SCWorx filed its answer to the Amended Complaint interposing numerous defenses. Plaintiff has since filed a Second Amended Complaint which the company must answer by August 28, 2023.

Carole R. Bernstein, Esq. v. SCWorx Corp.

On June 7, 2023, Carole R. Bernstein, Esq. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company. The complaint alleges that the Company breached its engagement agreement with Ms. Bernstein by failing to pay legal fees when due. .Ms. Bernstein is seeking to recover $69,163.98 fees owing for servcies, plus interest, costs, including her attorney’s fees. The Company’s responsive pleadings (Answer/Counterclaims) are due on or about September 5, 2023.

Other Investigations

As previously disclosed, on or about April 6, 2022, the Company reached a settlement in principle with the SEC Staff which, subject to a few changes, was subsequently approved by the Commission in which the Company agreed to resolve the SEC’s investigation regarding the April 13, 2020 press release and related disclosures (related to Covid-19 rapid test kits) through the Company’s payment of (a) a civil monetary penalty of $125,000, payable in 4 equal installments over 12 months and (b) disgorgement of $471,000 and prejudgment interest in the amount of $32,761.56 which payment is to be deemed satisfied by the Company’s issuance, no later than 30 days after the entry of the Class Distribution Order in the class action entitled Yannes v. SCWorx Corp. of shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at $600,000 at the time of issuance to authorized claimants in the Yannes settlement, provided that the Class Distribution Order is entered within 365 days from the entry of the Final Judgment in the SEC action. On May 31, 2022, the Commission filed a complaint against Marc Schessel and the Company in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging violations of Sections 17(a)(1), 17(a)(2), and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and Rules 10b-5(a), 10b-5(b), and 10b-5(c) thereunder relating to the April 13, 2020 press release and related disclosures we made in relation to the transaction involving COVID-19 test kits. At the same time, on May 31, 2022, the Commission filed a motion for approval of the Consent Judgment which contained the aforementioned fine, disgorgement requirement as well as an agreement by the Company to an injunction permanently restraining and enjoining the Company from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rules 10b-5(a), (b), and (c) thereunder [17 C.F.R § 240.10b .. 5(a), (b), (c)]; and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act’’) [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)].

On June 2, 2022, the Court granted the motion, approved the settlement and entered a final judgment. SCWorx has paid all installments on the monetary penalty of $125,000 and has issued Company common stock valued at $600,000 to the authorized claimants in the Yannes settlement in full satisfaction of its financial obligations under the Consent Judgement.

In connection with these actions and investigations, the Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors for costs incurred in defending against these claims and investigations. Because the Company currently does not have the resources to pay for these costs, its directors and officers liability insurance carrier has agreed to indemnify these persons. The Company believes it has satisfied its accrued retention obligations with respect to the insurance coverage.