A healthcare firm has agreed to set up a multi-million-dollar fund to settle a class action lawsuit over a data breach that exposed patients’ personal data, including protected health and financial information.
According to the settlement administrator’s portal, the City of Hope National Medical Center has agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit that was filed after a “data security incident” that happened in late 2023.
The California-based healthcare firm says the impacted information varies by person but may have included their name, email address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license or other government identification, bank account numbers, credit card details, health insurance information, medical records, information about medical history and unique patient record numbers.
Settlement class members are eligible to receive up to $5,000 for documented losses that arose as a result of the data breach. This includes compensation for lost time at a rate of $25 per hour for a maximum of four hours.
An alternative cash payment of $100 will also be provided, where settlement class members will not be required to provide proof of losses. The alternative cash payment may be adjusted on a pro rata basis, according to the settlement administrator’s portal.
Current California residents, or those who have resided in the Golden State at any point between September 19th of 2023 and January 13th of 2026, are also eligible to receive an extra cash payment of $250. The extra cash payment may also be adjusted on a pro rata basis.
All settlement class members who submit a claim can also enroll in a credit monitoring and medical information protection service as part of the settlement.
Claims must be submitted by January 13th of 2026. The final approval hearing will be held on February 20th of 2026.
While City of Hope National Medical Center has agreed to the settlement, the healthcare firm denies the allegations made in the lawsuit.
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