United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley data breach class action settlement

United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley agreed to a class action settlement to resolve claims it failed to protect consumer data in a 2021 data breach.

The settlement benefits individuals whose personal information, including health information, was compromised by unauthorized users in the United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley data breach Aug. 28, 2021.

The organization is a nonprofit that aims to improve healthcare access to people in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In August 2021, an unauthorized user allegedly gained access to the nonprofit’s systems, exposing the personal information of thousands of patients.

Information compromised in the data breach reportedly includes names, addresses, phone numbers, private health data, insurance information and sensitive identifiers such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers.

A class action lawsuit was filed against United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley claiming the company should have implemented reasonable cybersecurity measures to protect its customers from a data breach. The plaintiffs contend that, with the increase in healthcare-related data breaches, the non-profit should have even expected a data breach and taken steps to prevent it. 

“For healthcare providers, data breaches entail a particularly severe, foreseeable risk of harm,” the data breach class action lawsuit contends. 

The nonprofit hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive reimbursement for losses related to the data breach. 

The settlement provides up to $500 for non-economic losses and up to $2,500 for economic losses. In order to be covered by the settlement, the losses must be related to the data breach and be supported by documentation.

In addition to providing reimbursement, the settlement provides credit services for three years. Credit services included in the settlement are credit monitoring, fraud alerts and identity restoration services. Class members can enroll for these benefits using the enrollment code included in their mailed notice.

If any funds remain in the settlement following disbursements, they will be donated to Central Cal Legal Services. No settlement funds will revert to the defendants.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Nov. 19, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form or forms by Nov. 19, 2022. Class members must submit separate claim forms for reimbursement and non-economic losses. 

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits individuals whose personal information, including health information, was compromised by unauthorized users in the United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley data breach Aug. 28, 2021.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of losses resulting from the data breach

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

11/19/2022

Case Name

Avetisyan v. United Health Centers of San Joaquin Valley, Case No. 22-CEG-285, in the Fresno County Superior Court

Final Hearing

02/08/2023

Settlement Website

UHCofSJVDataBreach.com

Claims Administrator

Avetisyan v. United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173005
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@UHCofSJVdatabreach.com
877-354-3821

Class Counsel

Matthew R Wilson
Michael J Boyle Jr
MEYER WILSON CO LPA

Defense Counsel

James Monagle
MULLEN COUGHLIN LLC