One Brooklyn Health System (OBH) has agreed to a $1.5 million class-action settlement following a data breach that compromised the personal and medical information of more than 235,000 individuals. The breach, which took place between July 9 and November 19, 2022, impacted patients of Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.
Although OBH denies any wrongdoing, the settlement resolves claims that the healthcare provider failed to adequately protect patients’ sensitive data from cyber threats. Eligible victims now have until March 10, 2025, to submit claims for monetary compensation or credit monitoring services.
What Happened? The 2022 Data Breach Explained
In November 2022, One Brooklyn Health System confirmed that it had suffered a cybersecurity breach exposing sensitive patient and employee information. Unauthorized parties gained access to OBH’s databases, potentially compromising Social Security numbers, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, financial information, health insurance details, and medical treatment records.
Affected individuals were notified in early 2023 and warned to monitor their financial and medical accounts for fraudulent activity. The breach raised serious concerns about healthcare cybersecurity, leading to the class-action lawsuit.
For more information about protecting your personal data, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.ftc.gov
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
Individuals are eligible to file a claim if they received a notification from One Brooklyn Health System stating that their personal data was exposed during the breach between July 9, 2022, and November 19, 2022.
To verify eligibility and file a claim, visit the official settlement website: www.obhsettlement.com
What Compensation Is Available?
1. Cash Payment
Eligible claimants may receive a pro-rata share of the $1.5 million settlement fund. The final amount will depend on the number of approved claims.
2. Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses (Up to $2,500)
Victims who incurred financial losses due to the breach may be reimbursed for documented costs, such as:
- Bank fees and overdraft charges
- Credit report monitoring costs
- Legal fees related to identity theft
- Fraudulent transactions
- Lost time dealing with fraud (up to four hours at $25 per hour)
Claimants must provide receipts, bank statements, or other supporting documents to qualify for reimbursement.
3. Free Credit Monitoring & Identity Theft Protection
Affected individuals may choose two years of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services instead of a cash payment. This includes:
- Three-bureau credit monitoring (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion)
- $1 million in identity theft insurance
- Fraud resolution assistance
For guidance on credit security, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): www.consumerfinance.gov
How to File a Claim
Eligible individuals must submit a claim by March 10, 2025, through the settlement website: www.obhsettlement.com
To file a claim, follow these steps:
- Visit the settlement website and click on “File a Claim.”
- Enter your unique claim ID (found in the notification letter/email from OBH).
- Select your preferred compensation option (cash payment, reimbursement, or credit monitoring).
- Upload supporting documents (if claiming out-of-pocket expenses).
- Submit the form before the deadline.
For official information about identity theft recovery, visit the U.S. Identity Theft Resource Center: www.idtheftcenter.org
Important Deadlines
- Claim Submission Deadline: March 10, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: February 26, 2025
The court must approve the settlement before payments can be issued. If the settlement is approved in February 2025, eligible claimants may receive their benefits in mid-to-late 2025.
How to Protect Yourself from Future Data Breaches
Given the rise in cyberattacks on healthcare institutions, affected individuals should take proactive steps to secure their personal information:
- Monitor financial accounts regularly for suspicious activity.
- Set up fraud alerts with credit bureaus to prevent unauthorized credit applications.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
- Freeze your credit report through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Be cautious of phishing emails requesting sensitive information.
For cybersecurity tips, visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): www.cisa.gov
Conclusion
The $1.5 million One Brooklyn Health System data breach settlement provides compensation to those affected by the 2022 cyberattack. While OBH has not admitted liability, the settlement aims to address the damages suffered by victims.
Individuals must file their claims by March 10, 2025, to receive compensation. If you received a notification from OBH, take advantage of the opportunity to claim financial reimbursement or free credit monitoring.
For the latest updates, visit the official settlement website: www.obhsettlement.com
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
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