Representing the Real Impact of Data & Security Breaches
A data security breach occurs when someone without authorization gains access to information for personal, financial, or political gain. As our society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, it’s become nearly impossible to go without having at least some of your information stored or transmitted electronically, which creates a risk for data breaches.
These data breaches can lead to identity theft that could impact the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. However, in many cases, those affected by breaches can be compensated for any risk or loss they face from the breach by filing a lawsuit.
Seeger Weiss is equipped to support those affected by data breaches. With a deep roster of experienced litigators, our attorneys have the skill and knowledge to support individuals through every facet of filing a lawsuit, from beginning to end. The firm knows how to hold companies accountable for their failure in preventing security breaches and for the damage caused in people’s lives.
Currently, Seeger Weiss is accepting new clients to represent in multiple data breach cases.
- Quest Diagnostics, Optum 360, LabCorp Data Breach Lawsuit: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Quest Diagnostics, Optum 360, and others, including LabCorp, over a data breach that may have allowed hackers to access the private personal, health, and financial information of millions of lab patients between August 1, 2018, and March 30, 2019. Seeger Weiss attorneys have been appointed as co-lead counsel for the litigation, where they will at the forefront of decision-making in the case.
The data breach occurred at American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA) involving information about people whose laboratory service accounts at the lab agencies were in arrears or past due. Many patients whose data was exposed to the financial risk of identity theft or fraud have already received letters from AMCA or their laboratory service company.
Security breach lawsuits can provide compensation for:
- Cost of replacing credit and debit cards
- Fees for obtaining credit reports and credit insurance
- Fees charged by credit monitoring companies
- Expenses associated with correcting information that was added to your credit report because of the breach
- Any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of the breach
How can you tell if you’ve been breached?
- Pay attention to information retailers send you about a potential breach, and hold onto any notice you receive from a company
- Follow the news and current events for information about data breaches
- Conduct a search using your email address at a breach identification site
- Check your credit reports from all three reporting bureaus at least annually for suspicious activity
- Pay attention to unusual occurrences related to your identity or finances, including having your tax return filed before you send your information to the IRS, receiving credit cards in the mail that you never applied for, and receiving past due or collections notices that are not linked to any of your accounts
How to Tell If You Should Speak to a Data Security Breach Lawyer
Understanding if you were affected by a security breach can be difficult. It may be evident once your financial well-being is affected, but often it’s better to assume you’ve been breached and take action to protect yourself before any damage is done.
If you hear of a lawsuit linked to a retailer where you shop, or you suspect a problem might have occurred and the extent of it has not yet been determined, you should speak to a data security breach attorney for more information. You may also receive notice of a class action data security breach lawsuit, and your eligibility will have already been determined if your security was violated.
Ultimately, speaking directly with an attorney may help determine if you are eligible to participate in a data breach lawsuit.
A data security breach attorney might:
- Determine if there was a failure to administer safeguards to prevent data breaches from occurring, such as encrypting personal information
- Determine if the company properly notified customers as soon as possible following the breach
- Obtain a list of everyone affected by the breach
- Review the company’s policies and customer agreements and determine if the company was in adherence
- Compare the company’s policies to industry standards
Contact Seeger Weiss. If you or a loved one were affected by a data security breach or you have questions about any violations that have taken place, contact us for more information. The firm is also accepting new clients on multiple ongoing cases against major retailers; see more (here).
