Broward Health Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit

KGG Investigating Broward Health Data Breach That Exposed Highly Sensitive Patient Information

Broward Health – a Florida-based healthcare system with more than 30 locations – is facing litigation after alerting some 1.35 million patients and employees that their protected health information (PIH) was compromised during a cyberattack. The data breach began on October 15, 2021, when hackers gained access to the hospital’s files containing highly sensitive personal information. This personal data was removed from Broward Health’s networks, where it could be misused to commit fraud and identity theft.

If you or a loved one were impacted by the Broward Health data breach, legal recourse may be available. The attorneys of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can explain your rights, and determine whether litigation is a viable option. Contact class action lawyer Gary S. Graifman, Esq., or Melissa R. Emert, Esq., via telephone: (866) 896-0935, fax: (845) 356-4335, or email: [email protected] and [email protected].

According to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, the 1,357,879 individuals affected by the medical data breach were notified on January 1, 2022 — nearly three months after the incident. The Department of Justice asked Broward Health to delay the data breach notification to minimize disruptions with criminal investigations. Meanwhile, the stolen data could have been utilized to commit a wide variety of frauds.

Sensitive Patient Information Hacked in Data Breach

An investigation by forensic specialists confirmed that cyber-attackers gained access to Broward Health files containing the following protected health information:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Insurance information
• Physical address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Driver’s License number
• Financial/bank account information
• Medical history
• Prior conditions, procedures, and diagnoses
• Treatment protocols

Victims Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud

In past data breaches, protected health information has been illegally used to create bogus prescriptions and false medical claims, or to exploit victims who do not want their private information made public. Impacted individuals are encouraged to monitor their financial and health insurance accounts for any unauthorized activity.

Unfortunately, healthcare data breaches are on the rise. Last year, more than 550 healthcare organizations reported data breaches that affected some 40 million individuals.

Did Broward Health take adequate measures, including third-party risk assessments and technical safeguards to protect against cyber-attacks? If the Florida-based healthcare system breached its duty to implement industry-standard measures to secure confidential patient data, this could be grounds for filing a class action lawsuit.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has successfully represented victims in similar data breach cases, and our attorneys have the experience and resources to protect your rights to full and fair compensation. There are many benefits to participating in a class action, particularly in situations involving many thousands of victims.

For more information about your legal remedies in response to the Broward Health medical data breach, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our class action attorneys.

Data Breach Laws

As a U.S. resident, your personal information is protected by industry-specific state and federal laws. Organizations and government agencies are required to notify impacted individuals of security breaches when they involve personally identifiable information. In 2021 alone, more than 40 million patient records were affected by data breaches reported to the federal government.

Medical records and personal patient information are hot black market commodities. Unlike a credit card that can be canceled or changed with little effort, personal healthcare data is more permanent. This information can be easily used to purchase medications or make false medical claims.

Medical Data Breach Class Action Lawyers

Despite the ongoing threat of data breach incidents, many healthcare systems have yet to invest in robust cybersecurity.

KGG Law is currently involved in data breach litigation involving major healthcare organizations. If your personal information was compromised in the Broward Health data breach, contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation case review.