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Patients and employees whose private information the Washington Gastroenterology PLLC data breach that occurred on or around Oct. 23, 2024, compromised could qualify to claim up to $4,000 and/or other benefits from a class action settlement.
Washington Gastroenterology agreed to pay $4.6 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to adequately protect sensitive data during a cybersecurity incident that resulted in unauthorized access to personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, financial and banking information, medical information and health insurance details.
Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?
Class members are all living individuals residing in the United States whose private information the data incident involving Washington Gastroenterology that occurred on or around Oct. 23, 2024, compromised. This includes everyone who received notice of the breach. The class includes approximately 583,741 individuals.
How much are settlement payments?
Class members may be eligible for several types of awards, depending on the losses they experienced and the documentation they provide. The settlement provides two main types of cash payments, as well as medical record monitoring services.
- Cash payment A - Documented losses: Class members can claim up to $4,000 for documented losses related to the data breach. These losses must be actual, documented, unreimbursed and fairly traceable to the data incident. Eligible losses include:
- Monetary losses due to identity theft
- Postage, copying, scanning and faxing costs
- Mileage, travel-related charges and parking costs
- Notary and research charges
- Cell phone, long-distance, data and text message charges
- Bank fees
- Professional fees, such as those for accountants and attorneys
- Cash payment B - Alternate cash payment: If a class member does not have documentation or chooses not to submit it, they may claim an estimated $75 as a pro rata cash payment.
- Medical records monitoring: In addition to either cash payment, class members may claim two years of one-bureau medical record and credit monitoring services.
The exact amount each class member receives may vary depending on the number of valid claims and the total documented losses submitted. If the total amount claimed exceeds the net settlement fund, the settlement administrator will reduce payments on a pro rata basis.
How to claim an award
To receive a settlement payment, class members must submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Washington Gastroenterology Data Breach Incident Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 6630, Portland, OR 97228-6630
The deadline to submit a claim is Jan 10, 2027.
Required proof and claim information
- Cash payment A - Documented losses: Claimants seeking reimbursement for documented losses must provide reasonable documentation showing the loss, its connection to the data incident and that another source did not reimburse it. Acceptable documentation includes receipts, account statements, correspondence or other evidence of expenses or losses related to the breach.
- Cash payment B - Alternate cash payment: No documentation is required, but claimants must attest to the time spent dealing with the data breach.
- Medical records monitoring: No documentation is required beyond confirming eligibility.
- Online claim form: Class members using the online claim form must provide the unique ID and PIN they received in their settlement notice.
Payout options
- Digital payment via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle
- Virtual prepaid Mastercard delivered by email
- ACH transfer to a checking or savings account
- Physical check mailed to the address provided
$4.6 million settlement fund breakdown
The $4,600,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys' fees: Up to $1,533,333
- Attorneys' expenses: To be determined
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $4,000 each ($32,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Dec. 11, 2026
- Deadline to submit a claim: Jan. 10, 2027
- Final approval hearing: Jan. 29, 2027
When is the Washington Gastroenterology data breach settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments and benefits to eligible class members within 45 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
A cybersecurity attack on Washington Gastroenterology in October 2024 allegedly resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive personal data. The plaintiffs claimed the company failed to adequately protect their information.
Washington Gastroenterology denied any wrongdoing or liability but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.
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