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AMERICANS could get direct payments of up to $5,000 as part of an open data breach settlement – but they must act fast.
Those eligible could be paid up to $5,150 after a class action lawsuit was filed against Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute.
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The $400,000 settlement was filed after thousands of users’ information was compromised in a worrying cyber attack.
This included their names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, medical record numbers, health insurance policy numbers and medical history details.
The attack took place in November last year and was announced in March 2024.
Plaintiffs claimed Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute – an eyecare facility – failed to implement the necessary measures to protect the private information on its database.
While Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay out $400,000 to resolve the matter.
Anyone who received a data breach notice from Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute informing them their information may have been compromised is eligible for the claim.
Applicants could receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket losses or expenses related to the data breach.
They may also receive a pro rata cash payment, estimated to be around $150 per claimant but may be adjusted depending on the funds available.
The deadline to file a claim by is November 12.
Anyone who believes they are eligible for the cash must class members must submit a valid claim form by that date.
Another key date to be aware of falls in December.
The final approval hearing for the settlement is December 13, 2024.
You can prove your purchase by showing receipts, invoices, account statements, bills, correspondence, credit reports, tax documents and other proof of data breach-related expenses.
If eligible, you can file a claim here.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
