Claim Up to $5,200: Americans Eligible for $1.58M Data Breach Settlement

According to The Sun, Thousands of Americans may be eligible for payments from a $1.575 million settlement related to a significant data breach at Behavioral Health Group (BHG), an opioid addiction treatment center. Individuals must act quickly to ensure they can claim their share. The center was targeted by hackers in December 2021, compromising the personal information of over 197,000 patients and employees. This incident has led to a class action lawsuit alleging that BHG failed to adequately protect sensitive information.

Details of the Data Breach

According to the lawsuit, the compromised data included sensitive information such as social security numbers, names, financial account details, medical records, and passport information. Filed in Kentucky in 2022, the lawsuit claims that BHG had a responsibility to its patients and employees to implement reasonable security measures. It further asserts that the company breached this duty by neglecting to maintain adequate security procedures.

Settlement Terms and Eligibility

While BHG has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to settle the lawsuit for $1.575 million. Anyone who received a notification about the data breach from BHG is now eligible to file a claim for compensation.

What Can Claimants Receive?

The settlement allows for two types of claims:

Claims for Unreimbursed Losses: Claimants with documentation proving their losses can receive compensation for normal data breach losses, such as credit expenses, travel costs, bank fees, and communication charges. They can claim up to $200 for these losses and up to eight hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour. Those who experienced extraordinary losses due to fraud or identity theft may claim an additional $5,000.

Moreover, these claimants are eligible for two years of three-bureau credit monitoring and $1 million in identity theft insurance.

Alternative Cash Payments: Claimants without documented losses can apply for an alternative cash payment. The amount will be determined after all claims have been filed and other payments made from the settlement fund. Currently, this option is estimated to provide $150 per claimant, with a cap of $250.

Also read: Recall Alert: Arthritis Supplements Found Containing Undeclared Drugs

Important Deadlines

Time is running out for eligible class members to file their claims, with the deadline set for October 23. Those who wish to exclude themselves from the settlement must have done so by September 23. Exclusion allows individuals to retain their right to pursue legal action against BHG in the future.

Failing to file a claim by the deadline means individuals will not receive any compensation and cannot bring future legal actions against the company concerning this breach.

Additional Settlements Available

In related news, concertgoers can claim up to $7,300 from a separate settlement worth $3.25 million, underscoring the importance of staying informed about potential compensation opportunities.

Take action now if you believe you are eligible for compensation from the Behavioral Health Group data breach settlement!