The medical group Boston Children’s Health Physicians (BCHP) is facing a class-action lawsuit, accused of failing to prevent a leak of patients’ personal data last September 2024. The plaintiffs claim that the security measures could have been better, and although BCHP has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has committed to reaching a settlement and paying the claims filed against the company. According to the agreement, only patients who were notified by BCHP that their data may have been leaked will be able to make a claim.
Those who can provide proof of having suffered a financial loss may claim up to $5,000, and those who cannot provide proof may claim up to a maximum of $350. Additionally, all members who request it will be able to enjoy two years of free medical data monitoring from Cyex Medical Shield. The finance hearing will be held on December 10, from which date payments will be made.
Boston Children’s Health Physicians (BCHP)
Boston Children’s Health Physicians (BCHP) is a multidisciplinary pediatric group that provides medical care for newborns, children, and adolescents. It offers primary care as well as specialty services such as cardiology, oncology, and gastroenterology. It has over 55 offices in the New York metropolitan area, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut, and is part of the Boston Children’s Hospital network, which is ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the world. Locally, it is affiliated with Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital/Westchester Medical Center.
Class action
Last September 2024, the medical group Boston Children’s Health Physicians (BCHP) informed some of its patients about a data breach caused by a security failure. In response, those affected took action and filed a class-action lawsuit against the medical group, claiming that the personal data breach could have been prevented with better cybersecurity measures. Although BCHP has not admitted to committing any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay financial compensation following the claims filed against the medical group.
BCHP payments
According to the agreement, only patients who were notified by the medical group or administrators about the data breach will receive financial compensation. The amount of compensation will depend on the affected individuals’ ability to provide documented evidence suggesting a financial loss as a result of the incident. Evidence includes fraudulent charges, identity theft expenses, or the cost of credit monitoring, for which they may receive compensation of up to $5,000.
On the other hand, those who do not provide conclusive evidence may claim up to $100 with variations. Depending on whether the number of claims meets the agreed settlement fund, these individuals could receive compensation of up to $350. In addition, Cyex Medical Shield will offer two years of free medical data monitoring to all eligible individuals who request it. This service offers up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
When will the payments be made?
The deadline to request a settlement was November 25. The date for the final hearing will be December 10, 2025, after which the payments will be distributed by the administrators.