LifeBridge Health data breach $9.5M class action settlement

LifeBridge Health (LBH) agreed to a nearly $9.5 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it failed to protect patient information in a data breach.

The settlement benefits individuals whose personal information was accessed during the LifeBridge data breach announced in May 2018.

LifeBridge Health is a Baltimore-based health system that includes Sinai Hospital. 

In May 2018, LifeBridge disclosed it had been the victim of a data breach that affected 530,000 patients. Further investigation into the breach revealed it had been ongoing for 18 months after the initial breach in September 2016. 

This ongoing breach compromised patient names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, health information and more. In June 2020, the health system announced yet another data breach impacting Sinai Hospital records.

Affected patients took legal action against LifeBridge in a data breach class action lawsuit, arguing the health system failed to prevent, identify or mitigate the data breaches due to its subpar cybersecurity policies. 

“As a result of LifeBridge’s failure to implement and follow basic security protocols and procedures, Plaintiffs’ and Class Members’ Personal Information is now in the hands of thieves,” the data breach class action lawsuit claims.

Plaintiffs in the case say they have been harmed by the breaches. In addition to facing the ongoing risk of identity theft and fraud, the plaintiffs allegedly experienced declined transactions, email account access problems, fraudulent accounts, fraudulent unemployment submissions and fraudulent applications for COVID-19 disaster business loans.

LifeBridge hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a class action settlement valued at $9.475 million. The settlement includes $800,000 in payments to class members, $775,000 in fees, and $7.9 million in additional security measures.

Under the terms of the LBH settlement, class members can receive reimbursement for lost time and other ordinary and extraordinary losses resulting from the data breach. 

Each class member can claim up to three hours of lost time at a rate of $20 per hour. If they suffered extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses, class members can claim an additional two hours of lost time at the same rate.

Class members can receive up to $250 for ordinary data-breach losses such as bank fees, communication charges, credit monitoring, credit freeze costs and other expenses. 

For extraordinary losses such as unreimbursed monetary losses, class members can receive up to $5,000.

Under the terms of the LBH settlement, LifeBridge agreed to make cyber security improvements valued at $7.9 million. This includes encryption of sensitive data, tracking software for biomedical devices, network monitoring, regular maintenance, annual security training, enhanced account security, two-factor authentication and more.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 4, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the LifeBridge Health data breach class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2022.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 1, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals whose personal information was accessed during the LifeBridge data breach announced in May 2018

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Proof of purchase not applicable

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

02/01/2023

Case Name

Final Hearing

10/26/2022

Settlement Website

IBHSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

LifeBridge Class Action Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
844-953-2333

Class Counsel

Nikoletta S Mendrinos
MURPHY FALCON & MURPHY

Barrett J Vahle
STUEVE SIEGAL HANSON LLP

John A Yanchunis
MORGAN & MORGAN COMPLEX LITIGATION GROUP

Defense Counsel

Paul G Karlsgodt
Elizabeth A Scully
Evan Mannering
Michael J Baxter
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH INC