Waterford Country School $400,000 Data Breach Settlement

Class members whose private information was exposed to unauthorized third parties as a result of a data breach Waterford Country School Inc. discovered between Sept. 17, 2023, and Oct. 5, 2023, may qualify to claim up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.

Waterford Country School Inc. agreed to pay $400,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging negligence and breaches of contractual and statutory duties related to a data incident that compromised sensitive personal information.

Who is eligible for a Waterford Country School payout?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They are a U.S. resident.
• Their private information was exposed to unauthorized third parties as a result of the Waterford Country School Inc. data breach.
• The compromised private information may include Social Security numbers, dates of birth, LINK/family ID numbers, medical information and health insurance information.
• They received a unique claim number from Waterford Country School Inc. indicating they are a potential settlement class member.

The class includes individuals such as:

• Patients of Waterford Country School Inc.
• Employees of Waterford Country School Inc.
• Guarantors

How much is the data breach payout?

• Documented loss payment: Up to $5,000 for reimbursement of actual, unreimbursed losses reasonably traceable to the data incident. Examples include payments for credit monitoring, professional services to remedy identity theft or other financial losses.
• Pro rata cash payment: After administrative costs, attorneys' fees, service awards and documented loss claims are paid, any remaining funds will be distributed on a pro rata basis to all valid claimants.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members can either file a claim online or download and print a PDF claim form (part of the settlement agreement document), complete it and mail it to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Oct. 10, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Ortega v. Waterford Country School Inc. c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 54668, Irvine, CA 92619

What information and documentation is required to submit a claim?

• To submit an online claim, class members must provide the Apex ID and PIN located on their settlement notice. Those printing and mailing the claim form must provide the Apex ID.
• For documented loss payments, claimants must provide documentation to support their claim, such as receipts, account statements or other evidence of actual losses, as well as an attestation for time spent remedying issues related to the data incident.

Payout options

• Electronic payment (default option)
• Paper check (if requested)

$400,000 data security settlement fund breakdown

The $400,000 settlement fund of covers:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $21,990
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $133,320
• Attorneys' costs: To be determined
• Service award to class representative: Up to $5,000
• Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline: Sept. 10, 2025
• Claim deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Nov. 20, 2025

When is the Waterford Country School settlement payout date?

Settlement payments will be made no later than 30 days after final approval or 75 days after the effective date, whichever is later.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Waterford Country School Inc. was negligent and failed to meet contractual and statutory obligations in connection with a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information.

Waterford denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense, delay and uncertainty of further litigation. The settlement provides compensation to affected individuals and requires Waterford to enhance its data security practices.

Sources

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