Data breaches remain a significant concern for individuals, leaving many feeling that their personal information is at risk with any organization. Recently, attention has turned to UnitedLex, a company that experienced a significant digital breach in March 2023, resulting in the serious compromise of personal information belonging to all of its users.
Founded in 2006, UnitedLex is a legal data analytics and management company. The recent cyber attack raises serious concerns for its users, especially given the failure to safeguard both employee and contractor data.
Some of the individuals impacted by the situation have chosen to take legal action collectively against the company in hopes of recovering some of their losses. To start, let’s explore what a class action lawsuit entails.
A class action lawsuit is initiated by one or more individuals representing a larger group that shares similar grievances against a company or organization. Once the lawsuit is granted class-action status, it encompasses all individuals who might have experienced similar impacts. Businesses frequently opt to resolve these matters by providing compensation to affected individuals, who subsequently relinquish their right to seek additional legal recourse. These agreements often feature declarations from the company asserting that they did not engage in any misconduct.
Individuals impacted by the breach now have the opportunity to participate in the lawsuit and submit a receipt to reclaim their funds, along with potential compensation for the time and expenses incurred while addressing the aftermath of the breach. The company, despite denying any wrongdoing, has decided to pay $1.3 million to settle the allegations and expedite the resolution process.
Here’s what you need to know to claim your share in the UnitedLex lawsuit data breach settlement
To submit a claim and receive reimbursement for your expenses, you’ll need to provide proof in the form of a receipt. You can also demonstrate expenses through account statements, tax documents, police reports, or fraud claims. Plaintiffs may be eligible for as much as $15,000, though the requirements to secure that sum are quite strict. The information provided on the settlement website states:
“The Settlement Fund is designated to compensate individuals in the Settlement Class for any out-of-pocket expenses or losses that can be reasonably linked to the Data Breach, with a maximum reimbursement of $15,000.00 per person.” This could encompass a range of possibilities, including but not limited to:
Individuals may face various expenses related to identity theft or fraud, including costs from falsified tax returns or other misuse of personal information. Additionally, there may be out-of-pocket costs incurred after the disclosure of a data breach, such as fees for changing accounts or other preventive measures. These costs can encompass notary fees, faxing, postage, copying, mileage, and long-distance calls. Professional fees to address the data breach and expenses for credit monitoring or other protective services purchased after the breach disclosure, up until the submission of a claim, are also included.
Individuals impacted will likely receive limited reimbursement, specifically for Lost Time. This compensation is designed to cover expenses incurred while addressing issues stemming from the Data Breach, allowing for reimbursement of up to twenty (20) hours at a rate of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per hour, amounting to a total of $500.00 each person.
The final date to submit your claim is Tuesday, November 12, 2024
In a final measure, the settlement website states, “If there are funds left after compensating Settlement Class Members for Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Lost Time, and other obligations related to the Settlement, any remaining money will be distributed pro rata among the participating Settlement Class Members.” It’s important to understand that extra cash payments are not assured, and the total amount will vary based on how many people file valid claims.
