Settlement of $8 million reached in class-action lawsuit over MU Health Care data breach
MU Health Care has recently finalized an $8 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit due to a significant data breach in 2020. The breach, which took place between May 2-4, 2020, affected about 190,000 patients. However, the Board of Curators and MU Health Care have denied any wrongdoing in relation to the breach.
As a part of the settlement, MU Health Care has agreed to pay a maximum of $8 million, which will be distributed among the affected class members. Class members have the option to choose between a fixed payment of $60 or seek reimbursement of up to $150 for expenses related to the incident. Claims can be submitted on the muhealthcaresettlement.com website.
Casey Bumbales and Amanda Kunkelman, the representatives of the affected class, will each receive a $5,000 payment. Additionally, attorney fees are set at $1.76 million. The settlement outlines that MU Health Care will implement specific security measures to prevent future breaches, including maintaining multifactor authentication for its email system and conducting enhanced email security training for a minimum of five years. The cost of these preventive measures is estimated at $1 million.
This settlement brings an end to a significant and troubling chapter for MU Health Care and its patients. The institution has committed to enhancing its data security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The comprehensive measures outlined in the settlement aim to safeguard the private information of patients and ensure that their data remains protected. It is expected that these initiatives will significantly strengthen the overall security posture of MU Health Care.
This settlement serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust data security practices in the healthcare industry. Ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of patient information is paramount, and healthcare organizations must continuously review and enhance their security protocols to address evolving cyber threats. By implementing stringent security measures, institutions like MU Health Care can better safeguard sensitive patient data and maintain the trust and confidence of their patients.
Overall, the settlement marks a significant step towards resolving the aftermath of the data breach and reinforces the commitment of MU Health Care to protecting patient privacy and data security. The measures outlined in the settlement will not only help prevent future breaches but also demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing cybersecurity challenges in the healthcare sector. Moving forward, continued vigilance and investment in cybersecurity will be essential to safeguarding patient information and upholding the highest standards of data protection.
