Forefront Dermatology data breach $3.75M class action settlement

Forefront Dermatology will pay a $3.75 million settlement to resolve claims it failed to protect patient and employee information from a 2021 data breach.

The settlement benefits consumers whose personal information was compromised in a May 2021 ransomware attack on Forefront Dermatology.

In July 2021, Forefront Dermatology — a Wisconsin-based dermatology clinic with locations in 21 states — announced it had been the victim of a ransomware attack in May 2021. The data breach reportedly compromised patient and employee information such as names, dates of birth, account numbers, insurance data, protected health information and other sensitive data. Around 2.4 million consumers were allegedly affected by this breach.

Affected patients took legal action against the dermatology clinic, arguing the company could have better protected their information. 

Plaintiffs in the case say that the breach was only possible due to Forefront Dermatology’s “inadequate data security protocols, including incredibly simplistic passwords.” The data breach class action lawsuit accuses Forefront of negligence that directly resulted in the incident.

“As a result of Defendants’ failure to employ adequate data privacy and security measures, Plaintiffs’ and Class Members’ sensitive personal information — which was entrusted to Defendants — was exposed, compromised, and unlawfully accessed,” the Forefront Dermatology class action lawsuit contends.

Forefront hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $3.75 million class action settlement to resolve these claims.

Under the terms of the Forefront Dermatology data breach settlement, class members can receive reimbursement for data breach-related expenses. 

Class members can receive up to $10,000 for documented losses including identity theft, fraudulent charges, credit-related costs, bank fees, communication charges and more. Class members can receive up to an additional $125 for up to five hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour. 

If class members opt into receiving actual reimbursements, they may also receive one year of free credit-monitoring services. This coverage includes up to $1 million in identity theft insurance and three credit monitoring, valued at $720.

Class members have the option to opt out of receiving expense reimbursement and credit monitoring. Claimants who opt out of these benefits can instead receive a cash fund payment. 

These payments will vary based on the number of participating class members and will not depend on actual losses sustained as a result of the Forefront Dermatology data breach.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 24, 2023. 

The final approval hearing for the Forefront Dermatology data breach settlement is scheduled for March 1, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 8, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers whose personal information was compromised in a May 2021 ransomware attack on Forefront Dermatology

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Supporting documentation may include any documentation of losses liked to Forefront Ransomware Attack and documentation of lost time related to efforts of avoiding fraud.

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

02/08/2023

Case Name

re Forefront Data Breach Litigation, Case No. 1:21-CV-00887-LA, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Final Hearing

03/01/2023

Settlement Website

ForefrontSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

In Re Forefront Data Breach Litigation
c/o Postlethwaite & Netterville
PO Box 2790
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
info@Forefrontsettlement.com
844-578-0137

Class Counsel

Tina Wolfson
Andrew W Ferich
AHDOOT & WOLFSON PC

Gary M Klinger
MILBERG COLEMAN BRYSON PHILLPS GROSSMAN PLLC

Defense Counsel

Casie D Collignon
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP