$8 million settlement reached in data breach class-action lawsuit involving MU Health Care | Central Missouri
A class-action lawsuit concerning a data breach at MU Health Care in 2020 has concluded with an $8 million settlement. This resolution, brought forward by documents filed in court, addresses the compromised private information of around 190,000 patients during a specific timeframe from May 2-4 of that year. The settlement includes provisions for compensation without the university admitting any wrongdoing in the breach, with an $8 million cap set for payouts.
In this settlement, class members impacted by the data breach have the option of choosing between a $60 fixed payment or seeking reimbursement up to $150 for expenses incurred due to the incident. To claim these benefits, individuals can visit muhealthcaresettlement.com. Additionally, representatives Casey Bumbales and Amanda Kunkelman, who have led the lawsuit on behalf of the affected class, are entitled to $5,000 payments each, while attorney fees amount to $1.76 million.
Moreover, as part of the settlement agreement, the Board of Curators and MU Health Care are committed to implementing enhanced security measures to prevent future breaches. They have pledged to maintain multifactor authentication for their email system and conduct specialized training on email security for a minimum of five years. These precautionary measures are estimated to cost approximately $1 million.
The resolution of this class-action lawsuit indicates a significant step towards accountability for data breaches and reinforces the importance of safeguarding patient information. It underscores the commitment of healthcare institutions to address data security concerns proactively and protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ sensitive data.
By offering financial compensation and implementing stringent security measures, MU Health Care aims to mitigate the impact of the data breach on affected patients and prevent similar incidents in the future. This settlement sets a precedent for other healthcare organizations to prioritize data security and invest in robust security measures to uphold patient trust and confidentiality.
Moving forward, it is crucial for healthcare providers to prioritize cybersecurity measures, including regular security audits, employee training, and the adoption of advanced security technologies to safeguard patient data effectively. The conclusion of this class-action lawsuit serves as a reminder of the legal and financial consequences that data breaches can entail, emphasizing the need for robust security protocols in the healthcare industry to prevent the unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive patient information.
