Dameron Hospital Association, based in Stockton, California, has agreed to a $650,000 class-action settlement following a ransomware attack in December 2023 that compromised the sensitive information of over 262,000 patients.
The breach exposed Social Security numbers, medical records, and financial details, prompting a lawsuit alleging that the hospital failed to adequately protect patient data.
Although Dameron Hospital denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation. Victims now have until April 22, 2025, to file claims for compensation, including cash payments or free credit monitoring services.
How the Dameron Hospital Data Breach Happened
In December 2023, Dameron Hospital was targeted by the RansomHouse hacker group, which infiltrated its computer systems and extracted sensitive patient and employee data.
The attack disrupted hospital operations, delayed patient services, and raised serious concerns about the cybersecurity practices of healthcare institutions.
For cybersecurity resources and identity theft prevention, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.ftc.gov
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
You may be eligible for compensation if you:
- Received a notification from Dameron Hospital stating that your personal data was compromised.
- Were a patient or employee of Dameron Hospital during the time of the breach.
To confirm your eligibility and file a claim, visit the official settlement website: www.dameronhospitalsettlement.com
Settlement Compensation – What Can You Get?
1. Credit Monitoring Services
Eligible victims can choose to receive one year of free, three-bureau credit monitoring services, which include:
- Alerts for suspicious activity on your credit report.
- $1 million identity theft insurance.
- Identity restoration assistance if fraud occurs.
2. Cash Payment for General Class Members
If you do not choose credit monitoring, you can receive a cash payment of $50.
3. Additional Compensation for California Residents
Residents of California, where Dameron Hospital is located, may be eligible for a higher payout of $100 instead of $50.
4. Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses (Up to $5,000)
Victims who incurred financial losses due to the breach can claim up to $5,000 in reimbursement for:
- Unauthorized transactions or fraudulent charges.
- Bank fees and overdraft charges.
- Legal fees related to identity theft.
- Lost time dealing with fraud (up to four hours at $25 per hour).
To qualify, claimants must provide documentation such as receipts, account statements, or proof of fraudulent activity.
For official identity theft protection guidance, visit the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): www.idtheftcenter.org
How to File a Claim
Eligible individuals must submit a claim by April 22, 2025. Claims can be filed online or via mail.
Online Submission:
- Visit the official settlement website: www.dameronhospitalsettlement.com
- Enter your unique claim ID (provided in your notification letter/email from Dameron Hospital).
- Select your preferred compensation option (cash, credit monitoring, or reimbursement).
- Upload supporting documents (if requesting reimbursement for financial losses).
- Submit the form before the deadline.
Mail Submission:
Alternatively, claimants can download and print a claim form from the settlement website and mail it to:
Dameron Incident Litigation
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
For updates on the settlement and assistance, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): www.consumerfinance.gov
Key Deadlines for Claimants
- Claim Form Submission Deadline: April 22, 2025
- Exclusion or Objection Deadline: March 24, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: May 29, 2025
The final approval hearing will take place at 9:00 AM PT on May 29, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin. During this hearing, the court will decide whether to approve the settlement and consider any objections from claimants.
Protecting Your Personal Information
Given the increase in cyberattacks targeting healthcare organizations, individuals should take the following steps to protect their personal data:
- Monitor bank and credit accounts for suspicious activity.
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit bureaus to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for online accounts.
- Be wary of phishing emails requesting personal information.
For more information on cybersecurity best practices, visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): www.cisa.gov
Final Thoughts
The $650,000 Dameron Hospital data breach settlement provides affected individuals with options for financial compensation and identity protection. With the April 22, 2025, deadline approaching, eligible claimants should act quickly to ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to.
For additional information, updates, and claim filing, visit the official settlement website: www.dameronhospitalsettlement.com
A senior at Yale-NUS College with interests in developmental and labour economics, as well as creative non-fiction and poetry. Currently, I’m studying as an Economics major and an Arts and Humanities minor (focusing on Creative Writing) with heavy involvement in the Singaporean journalism scene and involved in research on economic history and educational policy. I’m working as an author for SKC News, Yale-NUS’ student publication, as a writer for Wingspan, Yale-NUS’ alumni magazine, and as a tutor for the NUS Libraries Writer’s Centre. | Linkedin