Essen Medical Associates $4 Million Data Breach Settlement: Are You Eligible?
Individuals who received a notice regarding the Essen Medical Associates data breach may be eligible to claim a portion of a $4 million settlement. The settlement stems from a class action lawsuit alleging the healthcare provider failed to adequately protect personal information, leading to an unauthorized access incident between March 14-22, 2023.
Who is Eligible for the Settlement?
To qualify for a claim, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be a natural person residing in the United States.
- Have had personal information potentially compromised during the data breach that occurred between March 14-22, 2023.
- Have received a notice via U.S. Mail from Essen Medical stating the incident may have compromised their personal information.
Individuals who did not receive a notice but believe they qualify can still file a claim, but they must provide documentation demonstrating how the breach impacted them.
What Does the Settlement Cover?
Settlement class members who submit valid claims may be eligible for one or both of the following payments:
- Reimbursement for Documented Losses: Up to $5,000 for out-of-pocket expenses or losses related to the data breach that were not reimbursed by insurance. Examples include unreimbursed fraud losses, professional fees for identity theft recovery, lost interest from delayed tax refunds, and credit freeze costs.
- Cash Fund Payment: A pro rata payment, potentially up to $100, depending on the number of approved claims.
If the total value of all approved claims exceeds the available settlement fund, the amount paid to each claimant will be reduced proportionally.
How to File a Claim
Class members can file a claim either online or by mail:
- Online: Access the online claim form through the settlement administrator.
- By Mail: Download, print, complete, and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator.
The deadline to submit a claim is June 1, 2026.
Settlement Administrator Mailing Address: Essen Medical Data Breach Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2020, Portland, OR 97208-2020
After submitting a claim, class members will receive an email to select their preferred payment method.
Required Documentation
To file a claim, you will need:
- The unique ID and PIN printed on the postcard notice you received in the mail. If you did not receive a notice or have lost it, contact the settlement administrator at 1-888-976-6880 for assistance.
- For documented losses claims, reasonable documentation showing the breach caused the loss and that insurance did not cover it.
Breakdown of the $4 Million Settlement Fund
The $4 million settlement fund will be allocated as follows:
- Settlement administration costs: $423,842.48
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $1,333,333.33
- Attorneys’ costs: To be determined
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $3,000 each for six representatives (up to $18,000)
- Payments to eligible class members: The remaining funds
Any remaining funds after claim payments and expenses will be distributed to a nonprofit organization. No funds will return to Essen Medical.
Important Dates
- Deadline for Exclusion: May 4, 2026
- Deadline to File a Claim: June 1, 2026
- Final Approval Hearing: July 7, 2026
Why Was This Settlement Reached?
The class action lawsuit alleged that Essen Medical Associates PC experienced a data breach in March 2023 that exposed patient and consumer personal information. Plaintiffs claimed Essen Medical was negligent and violated other legal duties. Essen Medical denies the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation.
Sources:
Worth a look