Tampa General Hospital has agreed to a $6.8 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit stemming from a May 2023 data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately 2.1 million individuals.

Eligible individuals who received written notification of the breach can file claims to recover documented losses or opt for a lump sum payment of $125. The deadline for submitting claims is Sunday, January 12. Claimants will need the ID and PIN provided in the mailed notification to access the online claims portal.

Under the settlement terms, those with documented “ordinary” losses may receive up to $1,500, while individuals with “extraordinary” losses can seek up to $7,500. Additionally, claimants who spent time addressing the breach can request reimbursement at a rate of $25 per hour, for up to four hours.

For those without documented losses, a flat payment of $125 is available. The settlement also includes an option for one year of free credit monitoring services.

The breach, identified on May 31, 2023, involved sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, health insurance details, medical records, and treatment data. Following the incident, multiple class action lawsuits were filed and later consolidated into the case DiPierro, et al. v. Florida Health Sciences Center Inc., operating as Tampa General Hospital. The case was remanded to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County by a federal court.

The plaintiffs accused Tampa General of negligence, citing insufficient cybersecurity measures. Tampa General has denied any wrongdoing. The settlement aims to avoid the risks, costs, and time associated with continued litigation.

The settlement documentation indicates that Tampa General has assured plaintiffs it is continuously enhancing its systems, implementing additional security measures, and increasing monitoring to prevent future incidents.

The settlement will also cover legal fees for the plaintiffs, as determined by Judge Melissa M. Polo, who is overseeing the case. A final hearing to approve the settlement is set for February 3.

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(Image credit: Daniel Wallace/Tampa General Hospital)