Retina Group of Washington $3.6M Data Settlement

Update: The court rescheduled the final fairness hearing to take place in person on July 15, 2025. 

Consumers who received a notification from The Retina Group of Washington PLLC regarding a data breach that occurred around March 26, 2023, may be eligible to submit a claim for a cash payment of up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.

RGW agreed to pay $3.6 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company failed to adequately protect sensitive personal and health information. The lawsuit claimed RGW's negligence allowed unauthorized access to its computer systems, potentially exposing the personal information of thousands of individuals.

Who is eligible for a data breach settlement payment?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They are an individual in the United States.
• Their personally identifiable information or personal health information was stored on RGW's computer systems that were compromised in a cybersecurity incident that took place on or around March 26, 2023.
• They received a notification from The Retina Group of Washington informing them about the data breach incident.

How much is the class action rebate?

Class members have these claim options:

• Time spent: Class members can submit for up to four hours of time spent dealing with the data breach at a rate of $25 per hour up to $100.
• Ordinary out-of-pocket expenses: Class members can submit for reimbursement of documented expenses up to $300. Expenses include bank fees, costs for credit monitoring services and other charges incurred between Dec. 22, 2023, and June 23, 2025.
• Extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses: Class members who experienced identity theft or fraud directly resulting from the data can claim up to $5,000 for documented extraordinary monetary losses and expenses.
• Credit monitoring and identity theft protection: Class members can submit to receive 24 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.
• Alternative cash payment: Claimants who do not claim time spent, credit monitoring or either out-of-pocket expenses options can select a pro rata cash payment. The estimated amount is $100, and the final amount will be determined by the number of claims submitted.

How to claim class action payout

To receive a settlement payment, class members must file a claim form. They can submit a claim online or download and print a PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator. Claim forms must be submitted online or postmarked by June 23, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: RGW Data Incident Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134

Required proof and information

• Claim ID & PIN from settlement notice
• Ordinary expenses claims require documentation such as receipts, bank statements or proof of purchase for credit monitoring services.
• Extraordinary expenses claims require documentation proving actual monetary losses due to identity theft or fraud resulting from the breach, such as police reports, proof of fraudulent unreimbursed purchases and professional accountant and/or attorney fees.

Settlement payment options

• Digital payment (only available for online claims)
• Paper check

$3.6 million data breach settlement fund

The settlement fund of $3,600,000 will cover:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $1,200,000
• Attorneys' litigation costs: To be determined
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,000 each
• Credit monitoring and identity theft services: Cost determined by number of claims filed
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining funds after deducting the above costs

Important dates

• Claim deadline: June 23, 2025
• Final approval hearing: July 15, 2025

When is the RGW data breach class action settlement payout date?

Claims will be processed and payments will be issued to class members with valid claims after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Why did Retina Group of Washington settle this class action lawsuit?

The lawsuit alleged that RGW failed to adequately protect personal patient information, leading to unauthorized access. RGW denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and delays associated with prolonged litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement