Americans to land payment worth up to $6k as part of $2.7m data breach settlement – all you have to do is show a receipt

CUSTOMERS and employees of a dental company may be eligible for a chunk of a multi-million dollar payout following a data breach.

Great Expressions, a company that operates over 300 dental care centers across the US was the victim of a hack last year.

Over five days in February 2023, the personal information of hundreds of employees and customers was accessed by a third party.

For affected employees, this included names, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and even banking information.

Meanwhile, the personal information of patients was also accessed including X-ray images, billing records, health insurance, financial information, and medical history.

The data leak was discovered in February and those who may have been impacted by it were informed from May onwards.

Subsequently, a lawsuit seeking damages for the leak was filed alleging "negligence, breach of implied contract, and declaratory

judgment," according to court documents.

PAYOUT

In June, litigation was brought to an end when Great Expressions settled claims to the sum of a $2.7 million payout.

By settling with claimants, the company has not admitted any wrongdoing but brought an end to ongoing legal battles regarding these claims.

Under the terms of the agreement, two separate groups can apply for payment.

One group is for those who may have had their social security numbers accessed and the other is for those who did not but may have had other information compromised.

The amount of money paid out will depend on which group claimants are part of and the damages caused by the breach.

A final court approval hearing for the amount of the settlement will also be held in December.

Class members who may have had their social security details accessed are defined as the SSN Subclass.

These individuals can receive a cash payment of up to $500, as well as another payment of up to $500 for ordinary losses.

In extraordinary circumstances, they can also get up to $5,000 for huge losses caused by the breach, and up to two hours of lost time at the rate of $20 per hour.

Those who are in the Non-SSN Subclass, meaning their social security numbers were not compromised can claim for up to two hours lost at $20 per hour.

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.

Proof of losses related to the data breach will have to be filed with any claim including receipts, bills, account statements, invoices, or any other official documentation.

TAKE ACTION

Eligible claimants should have received a data breach notification from Great Expressions about the February 2023 breach.

Those who wish to file a claim must keep some key dates in mind if they want to receive money and know their legal rights.

Class members who wish to object to the terms of the settlement or opt out of the payment will need to do so by October 11.

This can be done via the settlement website.

Those who fail to withdraw from the settlement with forfeit their legal rights to bring forward future action against the company regarding the same claims.

This is still true even if they do not file a claim.

Meanwhile, those who wish to claim losses related to the incident must do so by November 8, 2024.

The settlement will receive final approval from a court in December.

Other settlements are currently ongoing including water drinkers who have just days left to claim from a payout of almost $3 million.

Bank customers can also claim part of a $32.2 million payout regarding allegedly illegal overdraft fees.