$2.7 Million Settlement Reached in Great Expressions Data Breach Case
A $2.7 million class action settlement has been reached in connection with the Great Expressions data breach that occurred in February 2023. This settlement offers financial compensation to individuals whose personal information may have been compromised in the breach, particularly those who received notification of the security incident from Great Expressions.
Great Expressions operates 246 dental care facilities across the United States and has agreed to the settlement while denying any wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleged that the company failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, which purportedly allowed hackers to access sensitive consumer information, including Social Security numbers.
Class Members and Settlement Details
The settlement identifies two subclasses based on the types of information potentially affected:
- Subclass 1: Individuals whose Social Security numbers were potentially compromised.
- Subclass 2: Individuals whose data was affected but not Social Security numbers.
Class members whose Social Security numbers were accessed may be eligible for greater compensation, including:
- Ordinary Losses: Up to $500
- Extraordinary Losses: Up to $5,000
- Lost Time: Reimbursement for up to two hours at $20 per hour (totaling $40)
Class members in Subclass 2, whose Social Security numbers were not accessed, may claim up to two hours of lost time, capped at $40.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Opt-Out/Objection Deadline: October 11, 2024
- Claim Form Submission Deadline: November 8, 2024
- Final Approval Hearing: December 12, 2024
Required Documentation and Filing Process
To qualify, class members must submit a valid claim form by November 8, 2024. They may need to provide documentation such as receipts, account statements, credit reports, or other evidence of data breach-related expenses. The settlement administrator, Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, is overseeing the claims process.
Additional Information
- Settlement Website: GreatExpressionsDataSettlement.com
- Claims Administrator Contact:
- Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
- PO Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324
- Phone: 833-522-2678
Legal Representation
Class counsel includes Patrick A. Barthle II of Morgan & Morgan’s Complex Litigation Group and Joseph M. Lyon of The Lyon Firm. Great Expressions is represented by Sean G. Wieber and Kevin P. Simpson of Winston & Strawn LLP.
Case Reference: In re: Great Expressions Data Security Incident Litigation, Case No. 2:23-cv-11185-JJCG-CI, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
This settlement offers affected individuals a chance to seek compensation for losses related to the breach, with additional measures to ensure reimbursement for documented claims. Those eligible are encouraged to review the settlement terms and submit a claim before the deadline.
