Americans can score $390 checks in $1.8m data breach settlement – but you must have the note & one of four documents

APPLICATIONS are open to file a claim for a $390 check from a data breach settlement.

A healthcare company is paying up to those eligible.

Americans can receive benefits from a $1.8 million data breach settlement from Mercy Health.

The healthcare provider is paying up to resolve claims it failed to protect patients from a 2020 data breach perpetrated by a Mercy employee.

Those who received a note from Mercy Health in December 2020 informing them the employee may have improperly accessed their or their child’s information are eligible for a payment.

In 2020, a Mercy Health employee improperly accessed patient information, according to the data breach notification.

Mercy Health could have prevented the breach with reasonable cybersecurity and access control measures, plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed.

The healthcare provider has locations in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Although it has not admitted any wrongdoing, it has agreed to a $1.8 million settlement to resolve the claims.

Members of the class action lawsuit can receive a flat payment of up to $90 from the settlement.

Those have documented data breach-related expenses can receive an additional $300 in reimbursement.

Acceptable documents include receipts, invoices, account statements and other documentation of data breach-related expenses.

HOW TO CLAIM

To receive a Mercy Health data breach settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by June 10, 2024.

A dedicated website has been set up to make a claim.

However, do not file a claim for this settlement if you are not eligible.

All claims are made under penalty of perjury.

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.

Mercy Health is not the only healthcare provider paying its patients after a data breach.

Planned Parenthood LA (PPLA) has agreed to a $6 million settlement to resolve claims it failed to protect clients from a data breach that compromised the information of more than 400,000 patients.

Under the terms of the settlement, class action members can claim up to $10,000 for data breach-related expenses such as bank fees, fraudulent charges, credit expenses, and identity theft damages.

Lost time will be compensated at $30 an hour for a maximum of seven hours - totaling $210.

An online claim portal closes July 6.

Eligible Amazon workers can claim a payment up to $565 from a $3 million settlement.