$3.45M Nationwide Vision data breach class action settlement

A $3.45 million Nationwide Vision data breach settlement resolves claims the eye care provider failed to protect patients and employees from a 2021 data breach.

The settlement benefits current and former patients, customers, employees, members and covered dependents of Nationwide Optometry, Nationwide Vision Center and Sightcare whose information may have been compromised as a result of the data breach, which occurred between April 20, 2021, and May 17, 2021.

According to the class action lawsuit, Nationwide and Sightcare failed to implement reasonable cybersecurity measures to prevent a 2021 data breach that compromised the sensitive data of patients and employees. Plaintiffs in the case claim the company’s failure to protect this data was an act of negligence and violated state consumer protection laws.

Nationwide Vision is an eye care provider, and Sightcare is a vision plan provider.

Nationwide Vision hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $3.45 million to resolve the data breach class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Nationwide Vision data breach settlement, class members can receive either a pro rata cash payment or reimbursement for actual data breach losses.

The pro rata cash payment is estimated to be around $50 per claimant, but actual payments will vary depending on the number of valid claims filed and the amount left in the settlement fund after reimbursement claims are paid.

In lieu of the pro rata payments, class members may instead file a claim for reimbursement. The settlement offers reimbursement for data breach-related losses, such as credit expenses, unreimbursed financial losses, lost time and more. These payments will not exceed $300 for ordinary expenses, $100 for lost time and $5,000 for extraordinary losses for a total maximum payment of $5,400.

Class members who make claims for reimbursement can also receive two years of free credit and identity theft monitoring. These services include real time monitoring at all three major credit bureaus, $1 million in identity theft insurance and fraud resolution resources.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 23, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024.

To receive Nationwide Vision data breach settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Sept. 23, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Current and former patients, customers, employees, members and covered dependents of Nationwide Optometry, Nationwide Vision Center and Sightcare whose information may have been compromised as a result of the data breach, which occurred between April 20, 2021, and May 17, 2021.

Potential Award

$5,400

Proof of Purchase

Account statements, credit reports, communication charges, travel expenses, tax records and other documentation of data breach-related expenses

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

09/23/2024

Case Name

In re: U.S. Vision Data Breach Litigation, Case No. 1:22-cv-06558-CPO-SAK, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Final Hearing

10/15/2024

Settlement Website

NationwideSightcare.com

Claims Administrator

Nationwide Sightcare Data Incident
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2713
Portland, OR 97208-2713
info@NationwideSightcare.com
888-857-6324

Class Counsel

Ben Barnow
BARNOW AND ASSOCIATES PC

Terence R Coates
MARKOVITS STOCK & DEMARCO LLC

Jean S Martin
MORGAN & MORGAN

Defense Counsel

Donald M. Houser
Erin Edwards
ALSTON & BIRD LLP