Data breaches are a growing threat to personal information
If you believe your personal information may have been compromised in a data breach and exposed on the Dark Web, you may qualify to participate in a data breach lawsuit. Use the form on this page to check your eligibility.
Data breaches have posed risks to consumers for years, but reported cyberattacks surged recently. Billions of records have been compromised as hackers targeted companies and organizations that store sensitive personal and financial information.
Federal regulators have also reported a significant increase in identity theft complaints. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported billions of dollars in losses tied to identity theft and fraud, much of it linked to data breaches.
Dark web monitoring has revealed that several companies — including those listed below — may have experienced a data security incident
- Paylogix
- APDerm
- Heart South Cardiovascular Group, PC
- Advanced Dental
- Medical Center, LLP
- Summit College
- Heywood Hospital
- Spindletop Center
If you have or have previously had a relationship with these companies, your data may be vulnerable.
Do you qualify?
If your personal information was compromised in one of these or any other data breaches — or if your personally identifiable information (PII) or personal health information (PHI) appeared on the Dark Web — you may have legal options, including the ability to participate in a data breach lawsuit.
Complete the form on this page to receive a free case review. Your submission will be evaluated by a legal professional to determine whether you may be eligible to pursue compensation related to the data breach.
Fill out the form on this page for more information.
The law firm responsible for the content of this page is: Migliaccio & Rathod LLP; Washington, D.C.; 202-470-3520; classlawdc.com.
How companies fail to prevent data breaches
Companies and organizations that collect sensitive personal or health information have a responsibility to protect that data. However, despite this obligation, some businesses, healthcare providers and institutions may fall short — leaving personal information vulnerable.
Many data breaches can be traced back to one or more of the following issues:
Malicious attacks: Hackers and other bad actors often target companies that store large volumes of PII and PHI. These attacks may involve ransomware, credential theft or other methods designed to gain access to sensitive systems.
Human error: Data breaches can also result from inadequate employee training or internal security practices. Phishing emails, social engineering schemes and misdirected communications can expose sensitive data if personnel are not properly trained to recognize and respond to threats.
System vulnerabilities: Outdated software, weak security controls or insufficient monitoring can make it easier for hackers to exploit system weaknesses. Organizations that fail to maintain reasonable cybersecurity measures may be more susceptible to unauthorized access.
In many cases, companies also fail to detect and contain data breaches in a timely manner. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, organizations took an average of 194 days to identify a breach and an additional 64 days to contain it. During this time, compromised information may be circulating on the Dark Web — often without the affected individuals’ knowledge.
As a result, some individuals have pursued legal action against companies and organizations that allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to protect PII or PHI.
How stolen personal information is bought and sold on the Dark Web
The Dark Web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specialized software to access. While it can be used for legitimate purposes, such as allowing journalists or individuals living under censorship to access information, it is also widely known for hosting illegal marketplaces where stolen data is bought and sold.
Criminals use these Dark Web marketplaces to trade a wide range of compromised personal and health information, including:
- Names
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Social Security numbers
- Credit and debit card numbers
- Bank account and login information
- Payment app login credentials
- Medical and patient records
- Health insurance information
- Passport numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
Because transactions on the Dark Web are designed to conceal the identities of buyers and sellers, stolen PII and PHI can be resold repeatedly over time. As a result, once personal information appears on the Dark Web, it may remain in circulation for years, making it more difficult for affected individuals to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.
What Dark Web data exposure means and when legal action may be an option
A surge in data breaches has exposed the personal information of millions of individuals. In certain cases, compromised personally identifiable information (PII) or personal health information (PHI) has appeared on the Dark Web, where it may be bought and sold by criminals — heightening the risk of identity theft and fraud.
In response, some consumers have filed data breach lawsuits, alleging that companies and organizations failed to take reasonable steps to safeguard sensitive information. If you believe your information is being traded on the Dark Web, you may qualify to take legal action.
Do you qualify?
You may be eligible to participate in a data breach lawsuit if your personal or health information was compromised in a data breach that occurred in or after 2024 and you experienced harm as a result. Harm may include financial losses, identity theft concerns or the time and effort spent responding to the breach.
Please fill out the form on this page to verify your eligibility.
Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.
See If You Qualify
Join a data breach with potential Dark Web exposure class action lawsuit investigation
Filling out this form is quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify.
After you fill out the form, an attorney(s) or their agent(s) may contact you to discuss your legal rights.
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