O’Brien Steel Service Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Consumers who received a notice from O’Brien Steel Service Co. about a security incident that may have impacted their personal information may be eligible to claim up to $5,500 from a class action settlement.

O’Brien Steel Service Co. agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it did not adequately secure personal information, resulting in a cybersecurity incident that occurred between May 18, 2023, and June 1, 2023.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They received a notice directly from O’Brien Steel Service Co. about the security incident.
• The incident, which occurred between May 18, 2023, and June 1, 2023, potentially compromised personal information.

How much can class members receive?

• Reimbursement for documented ordinary expenses: Up to $500 (for example, fees for credit reports, credit monitoring or identity theft insurance purchased as a result of the incident)
• Compensation for lost time: Up to three hours of undocumented time and up to three hours of documented time at $25 per hour for a maximum of $150 per claimant
• Reimbursement for documented extraordinary losses: Up to $5,000, provided the loss is actual, documented, unreimbursed; most likely caused by the incident; incurred between June 1, 2023, and the claim deadline; and the class member made reasonable efforts to avoid or seek reimbursement for the loss
• An alternative $60 cash payment: Instead of the above options
• Credit monitoring: Two years of credit monitoring through one national reporting bureau, including $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance

How to claim a class action payment

Class members can submit an online claim form or download, print, complete and mail a PDF claim form (Page 33 of the settlement agreement). The claim deadline is Dec. 29, 2025

Settlement administrator's mailing address: O’Brien Steel Service Co. Security Incident, c/o Atticus Administration, PO Box 64053, St. Paul, MN 55164

What proof or documentation required to submit a claim?

• For ordinary expenses, class members must provide documentation, such as receipts or statements showing out-of-pocket costs related to the incident.
• For lost time, class members can claim up to three hours without documentation. Additional hours require third-party documentation.
• For extraordinary losses, class members must submit proof of the loss, evidence the incident caused it and proof they made reasonable efforts to avoid or recover the loss.

Payout options

• Direct reimbursement for documented expenses
• Cash payment (if selecting the $60 alternative payment)
• Credit monitoring services

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and litigation costs: Up to $138,000
• Service award to the class representative: Up to $5,000
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Request for exclusion deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
• Deadline to file a claim: Dec. 29, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Jan. 22, 2026

When is the Hayes v. O’Brien Steel Service Co. payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments after it resolves any appeals and the court grants final approval to the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged O’Brien Steel Service Co. failed to adequately secure personal information, leading to a cybersecurity incident.

By settling, both sides avoid the expense and uncertainty of further litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement
3. Settlement FAQ