$7,500 Payout Possible for Data Breach Victims: Check Eligibility Before July 11!

Class action lawsuits, particularly those concerning data breaches, harness the collective strength of numerous plaintiffs to hold individuals, large companies, or entire industries accountable for mutual grievances. These legal actions typically arise when plaintiffs need to pool their resources to stand a chance against far more powerful entities. They also ensure these entities face public accountability and amend their practices. Recently, a class action lawsuit concerning a data breach settled for $1.1 million.

Settlement Reached in Data Breach Case

In today’s digital era, online cyberattacks and related settlements are increasingly prevalent. Since the early 2000s, financial damages from cybercrime have skyrocketed by 690 times. These cyberattacks often leak sensitive data onto the dark web, where criminals trade stolen information such as banking details and Social Security numbers, significantly increasing the risk of identity theft.

Organizations that handle such sensitive data have a duty to protect it robustly. When they fail, affected consumers can band together in class action lawsuits, sometimes seeking billions in damages, to secure compensation for financial losses, identity theft, and breaches of digital privacy.

$7,500 Compensation for Affected Plaintiffs

In 2023, WellNow Urgent Care faced a lawsuit from plaintiffs alleging that the clinic did not adequately protect patient data during a breach. This breach led to the exposure of sensitive patient information, including Social Security numbers. Although WellNow Urgent Care has not admitted any liability, they have agreed to a $1.1 million settlement to be divided among the plaintiffs.

The settlement agreement specifies that affected individuals may receive monetary compensation for their compromised data. This settlement includes two subclasses:

• 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 vary based on the group to which plaintiffs belong. If your Social Security number was not compromised, you may receive up to $7,500 for out-of-pocket expenses related to the breach. You can also claim compensation for up to two hours of lost time at $25 per hour. If your Social Security number was compromised, you can receive the same amount for out-of-pocket expenses and claim for up to three hours of lost time at the same rate. Additionally, you may opt for a pro rata share of the settlement instead of reimbursement for specific losses and expenses.

Eligibility and Deadlines for Claiming Part of the Settlement

The deadline to exclude yourself from or object to the settlement is July 11, 2025. Exclusion and objection allow plaintiffs to either withdraw from the settlement or remain but express concerns about certain terms for review. The final hearing on the settlement is set for August 15 of this year.

To participate in the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim by the July 11 deadline. You will need to provide proof of out-of-pocket expenses and demonstrate that your data was compromised during the April 2023 breach. Failure to submit a claim will result in forfeiture of any settlement, even if you are eligible. For more details on this settlement and how to file a claim, visit Top Class Actions.