AMERICANS can score $10,000 checks as an ambulance company has agreed to settle its data breach lawsuit.
The payments come from a $1.05 million pot after Empress Ambulance Service allegedly failed to protect consumer information.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The settlement benefits claimants who got data breach notifications from Empress Ambulance Service or Empress EMS based in Yonkers, New York.
The notification informed those affected that a July cyber hacking crime might have compromised their information.
The plaintiffs claimed Empress EMS could have stopped the 2022 data breach with better cybersecurity precautions.
Due to the company’s alleged negligence, the plaintiffs claim hackers gained access to patient data and sensitive information.
While Empress EMS didn’t admit wrongdoing, the ambulance service paid a $1.05 million settlement to resolve the class action case.
All claim forms must be submitted by May 8 to qualify for the settlement’s benefits.
WHAT CAN YOU GET?
Under the settlement’s terms, class members can get up to $10,000 in compensation for credit, tax, or theft-related charges.
Claimants can also choose an alternative cash fund payment if they don’t want reimbursement for documented data breach expenses.
Payment amounts will vary depending on how many files are claimed, but each will get an equal share of the net settlement fund.
Class members who don’t submit sufficient documentation or have their claims rejected can still be considered for a cash fund payment.
Just be sure to note that reimbursement payments will be reduced if claims exceed the available funds on a pro-rata basis.
Additionally, class members can get a year of free credit monitoring and identity protection through TransUnion.
All class members can also get two years of free one-bureau credit monitoring including services for identity theft restoration.
WHO’S ELIGIBLE
The class action lawsuit applies to US residents whose personal information was compromised by the incident.
Individuals must have received a data breach notification from Empress Ambulance Service about a July 2022 cyber incident.
What's a class-action settlement?
Clik here to view.
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or 'classes,' a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
The deadline for exclusion and objection of the case was March 8.
The Empress Ambulance settlement had its final approval hearing on April 3.
Class members must submit a valid claim form by May 8 to qualify for the settlement’s benefits.
The form asks for a unique ID the claimant should have received with their data breach notification.
It also asks for information like name, country, address, phone number, and email address.
MORE CLASS ACTIONS
The deadline for another class action lawsuit is quickly approaching for a major phone company.
Verizon has agreed to a $1 million settlement for any past or current mobile customers who paid telco recovery charges.
Eligible claimants can get up to $100 in payments from the settlement.
The deadline for the claim form is April 15, 2024, and the charges for
The charges must also fall between January 1, 2016, and November 8, 2023.
Meanwhile, thousands of Americans could qualify for up to $3,000 from another data breach settlement.
A program for low-income residents provides $500 monthly payments in Texas.