Americans to Receive One-Time Payment From $6.66 Million Data Breach Settlement — and No Need to Show Bank Statement

AMERICANS have just days to file a one-time payment request for a multimillion-dollar settlement.

A lawsuit filed in North Carolina in 2022 is approaching the final stages after a settlement was reached with Novant Health, Inc.

The class action lawsuit came after users of the Novant Health website or patient portal were notified of a potential data breach.

Individuals who used the services between May 1, 2020 and August 12, 2022 were alerted by the company that their personal or health data may have been compromised.

This was a result of pixel tracking technology on your website, which may have passed sensitive data to third parties.

The lawsuit alleges that the healthcare company shared individuals’ personal and confidential information without their consent.

To resolve these allegations, Novant Health agreed to pay a settlement of $6.66 million, from which affected individuals can file a claim.

The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing on the part of Novant Health.

While the total settlement amount has preliminary approval, the amount of money that will be awarded to class members is not yet known.

Those who are successful in their claims will receive a cash payment equal to what remains in the settlement fund after paying administrative costs, attorney fees, and class representative service awards.

According to the agreement website$2,500 per class representative will be taken from the fund to reward those who initiated the litigation.

Additionally, attorney fees will be up to 33% of the settlement fund, as well as expenses of up to $30,000.

Then, once all accepted claims are received, the remaining funds will be distributed equally among class members.

Those eligible for a payment must submit a request form by May 6.

Failure to meet this deadline will mean that individuals will not be included in payments.

Unlike other settlements, class members do not need to produce their bank statements or other documents proving financial losses related to the data breach.

However, complainants must have received notice from Novant Health in August 2022 identifying them as having potentially had their data compromised due to the company’s use of tracking tools.

What is a class action settlement?

Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or “classes,” a way to come together in court.

These lawsuits are often filed by one or a few people who allege that a company or other entity has harmed a large group of people.

When a lawsuit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar claims to those who filed the lawsuit.

Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue legal action by accepting money.

These payment agreements often include statements from the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.

Pollution, discrimination or false advertising are some examples of what can lead to a class action lawsuit at a company’s door.

Eligible class members must also live in the United States.

You can start your claim here.

Those who are eligible and do not file a claim will not receive any benefits from the settlement and will not be able to pursue future litigation regarding the claims made in the class action.

A final court approval hearing is scheduled for June 6, 2024.

Meanwhile, the deadline for another data breach settlement, where arts students could receive payments of up to $5,000, is quickly approaching.