Money Moves: One-Time Payments Up to $6,000 for Dental Patients Affected by Data Breach

According to The Sun, Thousands of dental patients may be eligible for one-time payments of up to $6,000 from a multi-million dollar settlement related to a data breach involving Great Expressions, a network of 246 dental care centers nationwide.

Background of the Lawsuit

Great Expressions faced a lawsuit alleging that it failed to protect consumer information following a September 2023 data breach. The settlement addresses claims that the company’s cybersecurity measures were insufficient, resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive consumer data. While Great Expressions has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has opted to settle the lawsuit to resolve the allegations.

Who is Eligible?

The settlement benefits individuals who received a notification from Great Expressions regarding the data breach. It classifies affected individuals into two subclasses based on whether their Social Security numbers were potentially compromised:

For individuals whose Social Security numbers were accessed:

• • Reimbursement for ordinary losses of up to $500.
  • Compensation for extraordinary losses of up to $5,000.
  • Compensation for up to two hours of lost time at a rate of $20 per hour.

For individuals whose Social Security numbers were not impacted:

• • Claims can be made for up to $40 for two hours of lost time, compensated at the same rate of $20 per hour.

Claim Submission Details

Class members must submit a valid claim form by November 8, 2024, to receive settlement benefits. Claims should include proof of data breach-related losses, such as receipts, bills, invoices, or credit reports.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for December 12, 2024. Claims must be filed under penalty of perjury, and any fraudulent claims could negatively impact other eligible class members. Interested individuals can fill out the claim form online.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, it’s recommended to check the FAQ section on the Settlement Administrator’s website before filing. The case is officially titled Great Expressions Data Security Incident Litigation, with case number 2:23-cv-11185-JJCG-CI, being heard in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Other Open Settlements

If you’re not eligible for the Great Expressions settlement, there are other class action settlements you may want to explore:

Magid Glove Settlement

Magid Glove, a popular protective equipment and clothing brand, is at the center of a $5.175 million settlement. The company is accused of violating Illinois laws by improperly using “fingerprint time clocks” and temperature scanners over eight years. Anyone who used these devices at Magid’s Romeoville, Illinois, facility between January 8, 2016, and August 30, 2024, may be eligible for compensation.

Also read: Three Rare Coins Valued at Over $20 Million: A Look into Numismatic Treasures

Tubi Settlement

Tubi, a major streaming service, has agreed to pay $19.99 million to settle a privacy lawsuit that alleges it shared users’ personal information with third parties without consent, violating the Video Privacy Protection Act. While Tubi has not admitted wrongdoing, this settlement allows thousands of users to potentially receive a share of the payout.

Costco Refunds

Certain Costco shoppers may soon receive refunds as part of a $3.875 million settlement related to overcharges.

Cash App Settlement

Eligible claimants using Cash App could receive up to $2,500 from a $15 million settlement related to a data breach.