MedStar data breach class action settlement

MedStar agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it failed to protect consumers from a 2022 data breach.

The settlement benefits individuals who received a data breach notification letter from MedStar dated around Dec. 19, 2022, informing them that their information may have been compromised in an October 2022 data breach.

The settlement also benefits a subclass of patients whose HIPAA-protected medical information was compromised in the data breach.

Plaintiffs in the data breach class action lawsuit claim that hackers were able to access MedStar’s network due to the company’s negligence and failure to implement cybersecurity measures. The 2022 data breach reportedly compromised sensitive patient information, including protected health information.

MedStar is an emergency medical service agency based in Fort Worth, Texas. The company serves various communities in north central Texas.

MedStar hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the data breach class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive up to $3,000 for out-of-pocket losses that are fairly traceable to the 2022 data breach. This may include travel expenses, bank fees, credit costs, professional expenses and monetary losses resulting from fraud or identity theft. Subclass members can also claim up to four hours of lost time at a rate of $20 per hour, for a total of $80 in lost time payments.

All class members are eligible for one year of free credit-monitoring services. These services include single-bureau monitoring and up to $1 million in fraud insurance.

MedStar also agreed to make cybersecurity changes through Dec. 31, 2024, to better protect consumers from cyberattacks. These changes include updated multi-factor authentication, disabling Outlook Anywhere, security awareness training and other email policy improvements.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 24, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the MedStar class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for April 3, 2024.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 23, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who received a data breach notification letter from MedStar dated around Dec. 19, 2022, informing them that their information may have been compromised in an October 2022 data breach

Subclass: patients whose HIPAA-protected medical information was compromised in the data breach

Potential Award

$3,080

Proof of Purchase

Receipts, notices or account statements reflecting payment for or purchase of credit-monitoring services; phone bills; receipts; a detailed list of addresses the class member traveled to, the reason they traveled there and the number of miles traveled; bank statements with fees, such as card re-issuance or unreimbursed overdraft fees, circled. “Self-prepared” documents such as handwritten receipts are insufficient on their own to receive reimbursement but can be considered for clarity or support of other documentation.

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

02/23/2024

Case Name

Kaether v. Metropolitan Area EMS Authority d/b/a MedStar Mobile Healthcare, Case No. 342-339562-23, in the 342nd Judicial Court for Tarrant County, Texas

Final Hearing

04/03/2024

Settlement Website

MAEMSDataSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

MedStar Data Breach
Settlement Administrator
PO Box 2348
Portland, OR 97208-2348
877-581-2235

Class Counsel

Joe Kendall
KENDALL LAW GROUP PLLC

Gary M Klinger
Alexander Wolf
MILBERG COLEMAN BRYSON
PHILLIPS GROSSMAN PLLC

Defense Counsel

Josh Becker
SHOOK HARDY & BACON LLP