Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb PC $455,000 Data Breach Settlement

Individuals who received notice the August 2024 data breach at Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb PC may have compromised their private information could be eligible to claim up to $1,000 from a class action settlement.

Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb agreed to pay $455,000 to settle a class action lawsuit after a targeted cyberattack exposed sensitive personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, state-issued identification, financial account information and health information.

Who can file a claim?

Eligible class members include:

• All individuals whose private information the data security incident that occurred on or around August 2024 at Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb potentially compromised
• Anyone whose personal data the company stored in its systems and which the cyberattack may have accessed

Individuals who received a notice from Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb about the incident are likely included in the class.

How much can class members receive?

Class members may claim one or more of the following benefits:

• Ordinary losses: This includes reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket expenses up to $100. Eligible expenses include fees for credit reports; costs for credit monitoring, freezing or unfreezing credit, or replacing IDs; and postage to contact banks. Only expenses incurred between Aug. 10, 2024, and Dec. 28, 2026, are eligible.
• Lost time: Compensation for up to four hours spent responding to the incident at $15 per hour (maximum $60). This amount counts toward the $100 ordinary losses cap.

• Extraordinary losses: This includes reimbursement for documented losses due to identity theft or fraud up to $900. To qualify, the loss must be plausibly linked to the data breach and not already covered by ordinary losses. Class members must have attempted to prevent or recover the loss, such as by using insurance.
• Alternative cash payment: Instead of the above benefits, class members may claim a one-time cash payment of up to $50. The actual amount may be less than $50 depending on the number of claims and the net settlement fund after fees and costs.
• Credit monitoring: Two years of CyEx Identity Defense Complete, which includes $1 million in identity theft insurance, real-time credit monitoring, dark web scanning and public records monitoring.

If the total amount all class members claim exceeds the net settlement fund, the settlement administrator may reduce payments may be reduced on a pro rata basis.

How to claim a class action payment

Class members must submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator. They can also request a paper claim form from the settlement administrator by phone, email or mail.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: SPAL Data Security Incident Settlement, c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Settlement administrator's email address: info@SPALDataIncident.com

Settlement administrator's phone number: 833-360-6888

The deadline to file a claim is Dec. 28, 2026.

Required proof/documentation

• Ordinary losses: Class members must provide receipts or other proof of losses. Self-made notes can supplement but not replace proof.
• Extraordinary losses: Class members must provide receipts or other proof of losses plus a brief explanation linking the loss to the breach.
• Lost time: Class members must provide a brief description of how they spent their time.
• Alternative cash payment and/or credit monitoring: No documentation is required; class members must simply select this option on the claim form.
• Online claim form: Class members using the online claim form must supply the LoginID and PIN they received in their settlement notice.

Payout options

• Class members who submit their claim online can choose to receive payment via:
• Zelle
• PayPal
• Venmo

• The settlement administrator will mail paper checks to the address on file for class members who submit their claim by mail.

Settlement fund breakdown

The $455,000 settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administration costs: Amount not specified
• Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $145,600
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each ($7,500 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Deadline to opt out: Dec. 28, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Dec. 28, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Feb. 5, 2027

When is the Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments and benefits to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

This settlement resolves claims that Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb failed to adequately protect personal information, resulting in a targeted cyberattack in August 2024. The plaintiffs alleged the breach exposed sensitive data, potentially leading to identity theft and other harms.

The company denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of litigation.

Sources

1. Claim form
2. Class notice
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement website FAQ page