NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Honorable Maryclaire Akers
Case No.
This is a Court approved Legal Notice. This is not an advertisement.
TO: All persons whose personal, medical or private health information was potentially exposed in a data breach announced by Charleston Area Medical Center (“CAMC”) on or about January 2022.
WHAT IS THIS LAWSUIT ABOUT?
This case arises from the Data Incident, in which Plaintiffs’ and Class Members’ personal and medical information may have been compromised as a result of an email phishing attack CAMC experienced in January 2022. Upon learning of the Data Incident, CAMC immediately took measures to contain the Data Incident and launched an investigation. CAMC also notified federal law enforcement. In March 2022, CAMC sent a Notice Letter (“Notice Letter”) to each potentially impacted individual for whom it had a mailing address providing a description of the type of data involved, which may have potentially included: first and last names; dates of birth; medical record numbers; and health information (e.g., discharge date or diagnostic or treatment information).
The investigation determined that approximately 54,000 individuals were affected. For only 14 of the affected individuals, the impacted data included their Social Security numbers (“SSN”) and for only 3 individuals (including 2 whose SSN were also impacted), the impacted files included their financial account numbers, but without any PIN or security access code.
Thereafter, Plaintiffs Joyce Walker and Patricia Fitch filed the Action. Plaintiffs contend CAMC did not adequately protect their personal identifying information (“PII”) and protected health information (“PHI”) or that of Class Members. Plaintiffs assert claims including: (1) negligence; (2) breach of contract; (3) breach of implied contract; and (4) breach of confidences.
CAMC denies any wrongdoing, and no court or other entity has made any judgment or other determination of any wrongdoing. By entering into the Settlement, CAMC is not admitting that it did anything wrong and it continues to deny any liability.
How Do I Know If I Am Part of The Settlement?
If you received a Notice Letter from CAMC, you are a Settlement Class Member, and your legal rights are affected by this Settlement.
If you are not sure whether you are included in the Settlement Class, call 1-888-250-6810.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT AND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO THE NOTICE AND COURT DOCUMENTS.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
· Claims deadline: March 24, 2025
· Request for Exclusion Deadline: March 8, 2025
· Objection Deadline: March 8, 2025
· Final Approval Hearing: March 31, 2025 at 9:00 a.m