Shields Health Care Group has agreed to pay $15.3 million to settle federal and state class actions filed against it by patients over a 2022 data breach.
Shields operates medical imaging and surgical centers in 50 locations across the New England states.
On March 28, 2022, Shields discovered suspicious activity within its network and determined that third-party cybercriminals had gained unauthorized access to its network intermittently between March 7, 2022 and March 21, 2022.
Shields reported that certain files may have contained personal information. By April 19, 2023, Shields determined that the total number of individuals impacted by the data incident exceeded 2.3 million.
The parties began mediation in April 2024. The final agreement calls for a settlement fund of $15,350,000 to pay claims and administrative and legal costs.
Claimants will be able to file online. Those not wishing to file a detailed claim may opt for a $50 payment.
As part of the settlement, Shields denies all material allegations of wrongdoing.
The settlement relates to class actions filed in the federal district court for Massachusetts and the state’s Norfolk Superior Court in 2023.
Topics Cyber
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