Americans Eligible for Up to $7.5K After $18.5M Data Breach Settlement—Here’s How to Claim
According to The Sun, Americans may be eligible for a share of a multi-million dollar settlement following a significant data breach involving East River Medical Imaging. The medical provider, targeted by hackers, is offering up to $7,500 from an $18.5 million payout to eligible claimants, but the deadline to apply is quickly approaching.
Data Breach Details
East River Medical Imaging became the focus of a class action lawsuit in New York after hackers accessed personal patient information between August and September 2023. Class members allege that the medical provider failed to adequately protect their private data, leading to the breach.
The lawsuit claims that sensitive information, including insurance details, social security numbers, contact information, and even medical procedure data and imaging results, was compromised. The plaintiffs argue that East River Medical could have prevented this breach with stronger digital security measures.
Settlement Agreement
Although East River Medical has not admitted any wrongdoing, it has opted to settle the claims in order to resolve the ongoing litigation.
Compensation Options
Individuals whose data was compromised, as well as those who received a data breach notification, are eligible to apply for compensation. Claimants can choose between two compensation methods:
- Expense Reimbursement: Those who choose this option can receive up to $7,500 for losses related to the breach, such as bank fees, damages from fraud or identity theft, and costs associated with hiring professional services. Claimants will need to provide proof of these losses through bank statements, receipts, invoices, or other relevant documentation.
- Pro Rata Cash Payment: Claimants who do not have proof of losses or prefer not to seek reimbursement can opt for a standard cash payment made from the remaining settlement fund after all other claims have been addressed.
Additionally, all claimants will receive one year of three-bureau credit monitoring to help detect potential fraud.
Also read: Social Security Confirms First COLA Payment of Up to $5,108 – Find Out When
Important Deadlines
Time is running out for potential claimants, with crucial deadlines fast approaching. The portal for submitting valid claim forms will close on October 22, leaving only a few days for individuals to gather and submit their applications.
Claimants were previously given until August 23 to either exclude themselves from the settlement payout or object to the terms of the agreement. Those who miss the deadline to apply for the settlement will forfeit any cash or credit monitoring benefits.
Individuals who opted to exclude themselves will maintain their legal rights to pursue claims against East River Medical Imaging in the future.
How to Submit a Claim
Valid claims can be submitted on the designated settlement website.
In a related note, a mall retailer is facing a payout of over $12 million due to allegations of false advertising.
