$10,000 Checks Await: Americans Must Act Quickly to Claim Their Share of $8M Settlement
According to The Sun, An international law firm, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, has announced that it will issue $10,000 payments to individuals affected by a significant data breach, following an $8 million settlement agreement. However, recipients must have valid receipts to qualify for the payments.
Background of the Data Breach
Founded in San Francisco, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe faced a class action lawsuit after plaintiffs alleged that the firm compromised sensitive client information. The lawsuit claims that hackers accessed client data through unauthorized file transfer activities, which the plaintiffs attribute to the firm’s negligence. Although Orrick did not admit any wrongdoing, it agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims.
Settlement Details
The $8 million settlement will provide various cash benefits to class members, including:
- Lost Time Payments: Reimbursement for up to five hours of lost time, compensated at a rate of $25 per hour.
- Expense Reimbursement: Affected individuals can receive up to $2,500 for ordinary expenses incurred while responding to the data breach, including costs related to identity theft or fraud, with total payments capped at $7,500.
- Total Maximum Payment: The highest payment any individual can receive is $10,000.
For those who prefer not to engage with the reimbursement process, an alternative cash payment of $75 is available.
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Additional Benefits for California Residents
Class members residing in California can also benefit from an additional payment of $150 under the California Consumer Privacy Act. Furthermore, all eligible individuals will receive three years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection from all three major credit bureaus.
Eligibility and Claim Submission
The settlement specifically benefits individuals who received a data breach notification from Orrick between March 2023 and December 2023. To receive the settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by October 28.
Proof of purchase to secure cash benefits may include account statements, phone or internet bills, tax returns, and other relevant documentation.
Final Approval Hearing
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for November 8, where further details regarding the distribution of payments will be discussed.