Shields Health $15.35M Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Individuals who received notice that the Shields Health Care Group data breach in March 2022 affected their personal information may qualify to submit a claim for up to $25,000 from a class action settlement. The settlement class consists of an estimated 2,382,578 current and former patients.

Shields Health Care Group agreed to pay $15.35 million to settle a class action lawsuit related to a 2022 cyberattack that exposed sensitive patient information. The class action alleged Shields Health failed to adequately protect patient data, leading to unauthorized access to files containing private information.

Who is eligible for a data breach settlement payment?

Class members are individuals in the United States whom Shields Health identified as potentially having their personal information compromised in the 2022 data incident. Shields began mailing notice of the breach to impacted individuals on or around July 25, 2022.

There are two subclasses:

• Federal action settlement class: U.S. residents who are not Massachusetts residents
• State action settlement class: Massachusetts residents

Both subclasses are eligible for the same settlement benefits.

How much is the class action payout?

Claimants have the following benefit options:

• Ordinary out-of-pocket losses: Class members may submit a claim to receive up to $2,500 for documented losses, which include costs associated with accessing or freezing/unfreezing credit reports with any bureau, credit monitoring services purchased after the breach or notary, fax, copying, mileage and other charges.
• Ordinary attested time: Class members can claim up to five hours of time spent responding to the data incident at $30 per hour for a total of $150. Ordinary attested time claims are included in the $2,500 ordinary out-of-pocket losses maximum.
• Extraordinary losses: Class members can claim up to $25,000 in documented losses traceable to the data breach and caused by identity theft, falsified tax returns, real estate title fraud, government benefits fraud and other financial fraud.
• Extraordinary attested time: Class members can claim up to 20 hours of lost time for time spent remedying these losses and dealing with identity theft and fraud at $30 per hour for a total of $600. Extraordinary attested time claims are included in the $25,000 extraordinary losses maximum.
• Alternative cash payment: Class members who do not submit a claim for ordinary losses, extraordinary losses or lost time can elect to receive a $50 flat payment.

How to claim a Shields Health class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a claim form by the Dec. 3, 2025, deadline. They can file a claim online or print a PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Shields Data Incident Settlement c/o Analytics Consulting LLC P.O. Box 2006 Chanhassen, MN 55317-2006

Required proof and claim information

• To submit an online claim, class members must provide the log-in ID and PIN from the settlement notice they received.
• Ordinary and extraordinary losses claims require supporting documentation, which may include receipts, bank or credit card statements, invoices for services, police reports and other proof of identity theft or fraud.
• Attested time claims require a brief description of the hours spent responding to the data incident.

Payout options

Class members can choose from several payment methods:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Virtual prepaid card
• Paper check mailed to address provided

$15.35 million data breach settlement fund

The $15,350,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $5,116,666.67
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $150,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each for 15 plaintiffs ($37,500 total)
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline (federal class members only): Nov. 25, 2025
• Deadline to file a claim: Dec. 3, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Dec. 16, 2025

When is the Shields Health Care Group settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to class members with valid claims after it resolves any appeals and the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action lawsuit alleged Shields Health Care Group Inc. failed to protect patient information during a cyberattack in March 2022. It claimed unauthorized actors accessed sensitive files, potentially exposing private health and personal data.

Shields Health denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation and a possible trial.

Sources

1. Official settlement website FAQ page
2. Class notice
3. Settlement claim form