Class action lawsuits, many over data breaches, utilize the collective power of multiple plaintiffs in order to hold an individual, major corporation, or industry accountable for a shared grievance. Generally speaking, these lawsuits occur when plaintiffs need to combine resources to go up against an entity that is significantly more powerful than one individual. They also generally ensure that these powerful entities are held accountable in the public eye and change their policies. Recently, a $1.1 million class action lawsuit over a data breach has been settled.
Data breach settlement brings justice for leaked information
In an age of the internet, online cyberattacks and data breach settlements are increasingly more common than ever before. Since 2001, cybercrime financial losses have increased 690 times over. Cyberattacks generally expose sensitive information to the dark web, where cybercriminals sell information such as bank details and social security numbers, putting you at a significant risk of identity theft.
Businesses and corporations that have access to sensitive information like this have a responsibility towards their consumers to ensure that this information is heavily protected. When these entities fail to protect this data, consumers can collectively formulate class action lawsuits, sometimes worth billions, to provide compensation for financial loss, identity theft, and a violation of digital privacy rights.
$7,500 for these plaintiffs
In 2023, WellNow Urgent Care was involved in a litigation between plaintiffs over claims that the clinic failed to protect the data of patients during a data breach. Sensitive information of patients was exposed during the data breach, including the exposure of Social Security numbers. While WellNow Urgent Care has not admitted to any wrongdoing, they have agreed to settle for $1.1 million between plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement indicate that plaintiffs can receive a cash payment in compensation for their data being compromised. Two subclasses form part of the settlement:
- Class members whose Social Security numbers were not breached: These are the 541,870 individuals whose personal information, excluding Social Security numbers, was compromised in the data breach.
- Class members whose Social Security numbers were breached: These are the 55,131 individuals whose personal information, including Social Security numbers, was compromised in the data breach.
Compensation amounts differ depending on which group the plaintiffs fall into. If your Social Security number was not compromised, you can receive up to $7,500 for out-of-pocket expenses related to the data breach. You can also claim up to two hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour. If your Social Security number was compromised, you can also receive up to $7,500 for out-of-pocket expenses and can also claim up to three hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour.
If you are part of the group whose Social Security numbers were compromised, you can also opt for a pro rata share of the settlement instead of a reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses and expenses.
Criteria and deadlines to take part in the settlement
The deadline for exclusion and objection to the settlement is July 11, 2025. Exclusion and objection refer to a process where plaintiffs have an opportunity to either opt out of the settlement or stay in the settlement but object to specific terms and would like a review. The final hearing for the settlement is scheduled for August 15 this year.
If you would like to be part of the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim before the July 11 deadline. You will also need to submit evidence of out-of-pocket expenses and will have to show that your data was compromised during the April 2023 data breach. If you do not submit a claim, you will not receive a settlement even if you qualify. For more information about this settlement, you can visit Top Class Actions and get informed about how to file a claim.
