Posted On May 10, 2023 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
May 10 – Petaluma Health Center (PHC) notified the Attorney General of Maine on April 24, 2023 of a data breach, including the compromise of employee, board member, and volunteer personal information stored on the organization’s computer network. According to the filing by the corporation, the breach led to an unauthorized party having access to the complete names, birth dates, passport numbers, Social Security numbers, residences, and health insurance information of consumers. Petaluma Health Center started mailing data breach notification letters to all persons affected by the recent data security issue once it was confirmed that sensitive information was compromised.
Knowing what’s at risk after receiving a data breach notification is essential. Data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are now investigating the issue at Petaluma Health Center. As part of our inquiry, we are providing free consultations to anybody whose information may have been affected by the Petaluma Health Center data breach and who is interested in learning more about the risks of identity theft, how to take precautions, and possible legal remedies.
With its headquarters in Petaluma, California, Petaluma Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that employs over 310 people and generates approximately $31 million in annual revenue from its nine clinics, including Bolinas Community Health, San Antonio High School Community Health Center, Point Reyes Community Health Center, Casa Grande High School Community Health Center, and Rohnert Park Health Clinic, to name a few.
PHC reported on March 14, 2023 that it had discovered malicious activity inside its computer network, according to a report with the Attorney General of Maine. As a result, PHC disconnected the network entirely and called in data security experts to figure out what happened.
The investigation conducted by Petaluma Health Center determined that the suspicious behavior was related to an unauthorized entity who had acquired access to the company’s network. Subsequent investigation revealed that some of the documents included the personal information of certain PHC employees and other parties.
Petaluma Health Center immediately started reviewing the affected files after learning that sensitive customer data had been made accessible to an unauthorized person. Personal information such as name, date of birth, and social security number are just a few of the details that may be used to determine your identity.
Petaluma Health Center sent notification letters to all patients whose data was exposed on April 24, 2023.
When a company has a data breach, it is generally because hackers have breached its data security and stolen valuable consumer information. Criminals may use stolen information for a variety of fraudulent purposes, including identity theft. The people responsible for these attacks are hackers. However, locating a hacker after a breach is challenging, and even if you do, they may not be able to afford to pay a judgment, even if they lose.
It’s not easy to pin all the blame on the hacker who launched an attack on private data. In the United States, data breach victims may be able to sue the company that was hacked for financial compensation under the country’s data breach laws. Organizations that gather and maintain consumer information are both the first and final lines of defense against cyberattacks. Customers whose data is stolen are, thus, the only “innocent victims” of a data breach.
Certain measures must be taken by businesses in order to comply with state and federal laws regarding the collection and storage of personally identifiable information. The company that was attacked might be held liable for any harm that resulted.
Data breach legislation in the United States imposes legal obligations on businesses that acquire and store personal information about citizens of the nation. In the case of a data breach, companies that have been careless with their consumers’ private information might be held financially responsible. It is not always easy to determine whether or not a company was irresponsible in the circumstances leading up to a breach, and the legislation governing such claims are notoriously complex. For further information on data breach claims, one should see an experienced data breach attorney.
The consumer privacy lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. help customers affected by data and security breaches pursue legal solutions by offering free consultations. By explaining your rights in clear, concise terms, we help you make an informed decision about your next steps. If you are a victim of the Petaluma Health Center data breach, Console & Associates, P.C. will investigate at no charge to you and offer advice on how to proceed. If you decide to pursue a case, rest assured that we don’t get paid unless you do. If your claim is successful, legal fees are either paid out of the funds recovered or by the defendant. If your claim is not successful, you pay nothing.
To schedule your free consultation, just call (866) 778-5500 today or fill out our secure contact form.
