UHC Shooter Lawsuit, Shareholder Class Action Claims UnitedHealth Misled Investors After CEO’s Death

UnitedHealth Group faces a shareholder class action alleging the company concealed how Brian Thompson’s murder would impact its business. The lawsuit—filed May 7, 2025, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York—claims UnitedHealth misled investors by hiding a “corporate directive to deny medical care” and downplaying the financial fallout from Thompson’s December 2024 killing. Investors who bought stock between December 3, 2024, and April 16, 2025, may be eligible to join the class seeking damages for stock losses.

What Is the Shareholder Lawsuit Against UnitedHealth About?

Investor Roberto Faller filed the proposed class action on behalf of UnitedHealth shareholders who purchased stock during the class period.

The lawsuit contends that UnitedHealth’s financial guidance for 2025—released December 3, 2024, one day before Thompson’s murder—became “materially false and misleading” after the shooting triggered intense public scrutiny of the company’s claims denial practices.

Thompson was shot outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, while heading to UnitedHealth’s annual investor day. Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested five days later and charged with murder. Words found on bullet casings at the scene—”deny,” “defend,” and “depose”—referenced tactics critics say insurers use to avoid paying claims.

The murder sparked widespread public backlash against health insurance companies, particularly UnitedHealth’s 32% claim denial rate compared to a 16% industry average. Senate reports had already exposed the company’s aggressive use of AI to deny Medicare Advantage claims for seniors.

Shareholders allege UnitedHealth executives knew this scrutiny would force the company to pull back on profitable denial practices but continued promoting optimistic earnings forecasts anyway.

How Did UnitedHealth’s Stock Perform After Thompson’s Death?

The financial damage came in April 2025 when UnitedHealth posted rare earnings misses and revised guidance downward.

On April 17, 2025, the company’s stock plummeted roughly $130—its worst single-day drop in over 25 years. The decline was so severe it caused the Dow Jones Industrial Average to fall 1.3%.

UnitedHealth’s stock has fallen from $610 per share before Thompson’s death to approximately $385 as of May 2025—a 37% decline. The lawsuit argues this drop resulted from the company finally acknowledging it would change business practices in response to public pressure following the murder.

Shareholders claim they suffered “significant losses and damages” because executives at UnitedHealth—including CEO Andrew Witty and CFO John Rex—failed to warn investors that Thompson’s death would fundamentally alter the company’s claims strategy and profitability.

Was Thompson Involved in Other Lawsuits Before His Death?

Thompson faced a separate securities fraud lawsuit filed in May 2024 by the Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund.

That lawsuit alleged Thompson, along with UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley and other executives, concealed a Department of Justice antitrust investigation from investors while selling stock. Thompson allegedly sold 31% of his shares—netting $15 million—just 11 days before news of the DOJ probe became public and tanked the stock by 5%.

UnitedHealth also faced a November 2023 class action over its use of AI algorithms to automatically deny elderly patients’ claims for post-acute care. The lawsuit claimed the algorithm carried a 90% error rate but continued denying care because only 0.2% of policyholders appeal.

These lawsuits reflect broader legal troubles for UnitedHealth beyond Thompson’s murder and the shareholder case.

What About Criminal Charges Against Luigi Mangione?

Mangione faces both federal and state murder charges. He pleaded not guilty to four federal charges on April 25, 2025, including murder, stalking, and firearms violations.

The Department of Justice announced it will seek the death penalty in the federal case. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed prosecutors to pursue capital punishment.

Mangione also faces 11 state charges in New York, including second-degree murder. His terrorism-related murder charges were dismissed in September 2025, but the underlying murder charge remains.

Federal jury selection is scheduled to begin September 8, 2026. A New York state judge is expected to set a trial date on May 18, 2026.

Can Thompson’s Family File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

No wrongful death lawsuit by Thompson’s family has been filed as of January 2026.

Wrongful death claims allow family members to seek damages for losses caused by someone’s death. These are civil lawsuits separate from criminal prosecution.

While Thompson’s widow and children could potentially file such claims against Mangione, criminal proceedings typically take precedence. Families often wait until criminal cases conclude before pursuing civil action, as criminal convictions can strengthen civil claims.

What Is UnitedHealth’s Response to the Shareholder Lawsuit?

UnitedHealth denies all allegations. A company spokesperson stated: “The company denies any allegations of wrongdoing and intends to defend the matter vigorously.”

The lawsuit seeks class certification and a jury trial for damages. If certified, the class would include hundreds or thousands of shareholders who bought stock during the class period and suffered losses.

Similar healthcare company shareholder lawsuits have resulted in settlements ranging from millions to hundreds of millions depending on the losses and number of class members.

Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

UnitedHealth faces shareholder litigation over its response to CEO Brian Thompson’s murder. If you purchased UnitedHealth stock between December 2024 and April 2025, monitor the case for class certification updates.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

Meta Description: UnitedHealth shareholders filed a class action claiming the company misled investors after CEO Brian Thompson’s murder. Learn about the lawsuit and eligibility.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah