Receive Cash from $1.58 Million Data Breach Settlement: Up to $5,200 Per Claim!

According to The Sun, Thousands of Americans could be eligible for a share of a significant payout from a settlement, but they need to act quickly to secure their compensation.

Background of the Case

The settlement stems from allegations against Behavioral Health Group (BHG), an opioid addiction treatment center, which failed to protect the private information of its patients and employees. In December 2021, the center suffered a cyberattack, compromising the personal information of over 197,000 individuals, according to a class-action lawsuit filed in Kentucky in 2022.

The lawsuit claims that BHG had a responsibility to maintain adequate security measures to safeguard patient and employee information. It alleges that the company breached this duty by not implementing reasonable security protocols.

Settlement Agreement

BHG has agreed to settle the dispute with a payout of $1.575 million but has not admitted to any wrongdoing. Individuals who received a notification from the treatment center about the data breach may now be eligible for a portion of this settlement.

Claims and Compensation

Under the terms of the settlement, claimants can file for two types of compensation:

Claims for Unreimbursed Losses:

• • Those with documentation of losses can claim up to $200 for “normal” data breach expenses, which may include credit-related costs, travel expenses, bank fees, and communication charges.
  • Claimants can also seek compensation for lost time, up to eight hours at a rate of $25 per hour.
  • For individuals who experienced extraordinary losses due to fraud or identity theft, there is potential compensation of up to an additional $5,000.
  • Claimants can also apply for two years of three-bureau credit monitoring and $1 million in identity theft insurance.

Also read: FDA Issues Recall for Joint Pain Supplements Over Undisclosed Medications

Alternative Cash Payment:

• • Individuals without documented losses can apply for an alternative cash payment, estimated to be around $150, capped at $250 once all claims are processed.

Important Deadlines

Time is of the essence. Class members have only a few days left to file their claims, with the deadline set for October 23.

One critical deadline has already passed: claimants who wished to exclude themselves from the settlement had to do so by September 23. Excluding oneself means forfeiting any potential payout but retaining the right to pursue legal action against BHG in the future. Those who did not exclude themselves have lost this right, regardless of whether they file a claim.

Failure to file a claim by the deadline means individuals will not receive any compensation and will not be able to take further action against BHG regarding the breach.

Additional Settlements Available

In related news, concertgoers may be eligible for up to $7,300 from a separate settlement valued at $3.25 million.