Selected Americans can claim up to $5,000 from a $2.25 million class action settlement after Atlantic General Hospital suffered a major patient data breach. However, you don’t have much time because the final date to file a formal claim is approaching. Find out here how to file a claim and become a plaintiff if you were affected by this security breach that occurred at Atlantic General Hospital.
In the class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the hospital was the target of a massive data breach in early January 2023, and that it could not be prevented because reasonable and sufficient cybersecurity measures failed. During the reported data breach, hackers allegedly gained access to sensitive consumer and patient information, such as Social Security numbers, health insurance information, financial account numbers, and more, putting them at serious risk for potential fraud. .
Atlantic General Hospital Data Gap 2023 — Plaintiffs to Receive $2.25M
Atlantic General Hospital, a private health care system in Maryland that serves patients in Maryland and Delaware, agreed to settle with the plaintiffs but did not admit any wrongdoing. To settle this class action lawsuit and prevent it from becoming a costly years-long trial, it agreed to pay $2.25 million to the plaintiffs.
Under the terms of the agreement, the class group can receive three years of free insurance and credit monitoring service funded by Atlantic General Hospital. Additionally, some qualifying members with documented expenses related to the data breach may receive up to $5,000 in reimbursements for their losses.
Those who cannot support their claim with documents may choose to receive prorated cash compensation. These payments will vary depending on the number of claims filed and the amount remaining in the settlement fund after deduction of reimbursement payments and other costs.
There Is Still Time to File a Formal Claim
Although the deadline to opt out or object to the settlement was July 23, 2024, there is still time to become a plaintiff in this class action lawsuit. To receive settlement benefits, class members must hurry and submit a valid claim form by August 22, 2024. The settlement’s final approval hearing is scheduled for September 5, 2024.
Who Is Eligible, and What Documents Must They Provide?
Eligible to join as plaintiffs are those who received an email notifying them that their data held by Atlantic General Hospital had been breached by hackers in 2023. As we said previously, the maximum potential award is $5,000 for those who submit one or more of the following documents:
- Proof of purchase
- Receipts
- Account statements
- Invoices
- Travel expense documentation
- Credit reports
- Any other documentation of losses related to data breaches.
On the official class action website, you can enter your Class Member ID and file your formal claim to become a plaintiff.
Important Atlantic General Hospital Class Action Dates
Opt-out date:
- Tuesday July 23, 2024
- You must complete and mail your Exclusion Request form postmarked no later than Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Objection date:
- Tuesday July 23, 2024
- You must mail your objections and/or notice of intent to appear at the Final Fairness Hearing postmarked no later than Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Deadline to file claims:
- Thursday August 22, 2024
- You must submit your claim form online no later than Thursday, August 22, 2024, or mail your completed paper claim form to be postmarked no later than August 22, 2024.
Final impartiality hearing:
- Thursday, September 5, 2024
- The final approval hearing is scheduled for September 5, 2024. Please check this website for updates.