Dental Patients Eligible for $6,000 in Data Breach Settlement – Check Your Notice

According to The Sun, Thousands of dental patients could be eligible to receive one-time payments of up to $6,000 as part of a multi-million dollar settlement involving Great Expressions, a network of 246 dental care centers across the nation. The lawsuit was filed after a data breach in September 2023, during which consumer information was allegedly not adequately protected.

Allegations and Settlement Details

Great Expressions faced claims that its cybersecurity measures were insufficient, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive consumer information. While the chain has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to settle the lawsuit to resolve the claims.

Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?

The settlement is designed to benefit those who received a notification from Great Expressions regarding the data breach. It categorizes individuals into two subclasses based on whether their Social Security numbers were compromised:

For individuals whose Social Security numbers were accessed:

• • Up to $500 for ordinary losses.
  • Up to $5,000 for extraordinary losses.
  • Compensation for up to two hours of lost time at a rate of $20 per hour.

For those whose Social Security numbers were not impacted:

• • Up to $40 for two hours of lost time, also compensated at $20 per hour.

Claim Submission Process

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by November 8, 2024. Claims must include proof of data breach-related losses, such as receipts, bills, invoices, or credit reports. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for December 12, 2024.

It is essential that claims are filed under penalty of perjury, as fraudulent claims could negatively impact other eligible class members. Individuals can fill out the claim form online. If unsure about eligibility, it is advised to check the FAQ section on the Settlement Administrator’s website before filing.

Case Information

The case is officially titled Great Expressions Data Security Incident Litigation, with case number 2:23-cv-11185-JJCG-CI. It is currently being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. For further details and to file a claim, visit the settlement website.

Also read: $233 Indemnity Payments: Do I need to apply for assistance after being affected by Hurricane Helene?

Other Settlement Opportunities

If you are not eligible for this settlement, consider exploring other open class action settlements.

• Magid Glove Settlement: A $5.175 million settlement for violating Illinois laws regarding fingerprint time clocks and temperature scanners, affecting individuals who used these devices at the company’s Romeoville, Illinois facility from January 8, 2016, to August 30, 2024.
• Tubi Privacy Settlement: The streaming giant has agreed to pay $19.99 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the sharing of users’ personal information without consent, offering affected Tubi users a chance to claim a portion of the settlement.
• Costco Refunds: Certain Costco shoppers may receive refunds as part of a $3.875 million settlement for overcharges.
• Cash App Settlement: Eligible claimants on Cash App could receive up to $2,500 from a $15 million settlement related to a data breach.