According to The Sun, Americans may be eligible to receive payments of up to $7,500 as part of an $18.5 million settlement following a data breach at East River Medical Imaging. This settlement stems from a class action lawsuit filed in New York, which alleges that the medical provider failed to adequately protect patient data after a hacking incident that occurred between August and September 2023. The breach reportedly exposed sensitive personal information, raising significant concerns for the individuals affected.
Details of the Data Breach
The lawsuit claims that East River Medical Imaging did not implement sufficient safeguards to protect sensitive data, which included insurance information, social security numbers, contact details, and medical procedure results. Plaintiffs argue that the radiology center could have prevented the breach by employing stronger cybersecurity measures. Although East River Medical Imaging has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid prolonged litigation.
Compensation for Affected Individuals
Those whose data was compromised in the breach or who received notification of the incident may apply for compensation. Two compensation options are available:
- Expense Reimbursement: Affected individuals can claim up to $7,500 for expenses directly related to the data breach, such as bank fees, losses from fraud or identity theft, and the costs of hiring professional services. To qualify for reimbursement, claimants must provide documentation, such as bank statements, receipts, invoices, or other supporting materials.
- Pro Rata Cash Payment: For individuals unable to provide proof of losses, or for those who choose not to seek expense reimbursement, a pro rata cash payment will be available. This payment will be calculated based on the remaining funds after all other claims have been processed.
In addition to these compensation options, all claimants will receive one year of three-bureau credit monitoring services to assist in detecting potential fraud.
Important Deadlines
Eligible individuals must submit their claims by October 22, 2024. Those who wished to exclude themselves from the settlement or object to its terms had until August 23, 2024, to do so.
Failure to submit a claim by the deadline will result in the loss of eligibility for compensation and credit monitoring benefits. However, individuals who opted out of the settlement retain their legal right to pursue claims against East River Medical Imaging independently in the future.
How to Submit a Claim
All valid claims must be submitted through the official settlement website before the October 22 deadline.
Additional Settlement News
In other related developments, a popular mall retailer is facing false advertising claims and is expected to pay over $12 million as part of its settlement. These recent events underscore the importance of staying informed about legal compensation opportunities available to affected consumers.