Nationwide Vision data breach class action lawsuit settles for $3.45 million

A $3.45 million settlement related to a Nationwide Vision data breach resolves allegations that the eye care company failed to protect patients and employees from a 2021 data breach.

The settlement benefits current and former patients, customers, employees, members and insured dependents of Nationwide Optometry, Nationwide Vision Center and Sightcare whose information may have been compromised as a result of the data breach that occurred between April 20 and May 17, 2021.

According to the class action lawsuit, Nationwide and Sightcare failed to take adequate cybersecurity measures to prevent a 2021 data breach that compromised patient and employee sensitive information. Plaintiffs in the case claim the company’s failure to protect that data was negligent and violated state consumer protection laws.

Nationwide Vision is a provider of eye care products and Sightcare is a provider of vision plans.

Nationwide Vision has not admitted wrongdoing but has agreed to pay $3.45 million to settle the data breach class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Nationwide Vision data breach settlement, class members may receive either a pro rata cash payment or reimbursement of actual losses resulting from the data breach.

The pro rata cash payout is estimated to be approximately $50 per claimant, but the actual payout will depend on the number of valid claims filed and the amount remaining in the settlement fund after reimbursement claims are paid.

Instead of pro rata payments, class members may also seek reimbursement. The settlement provides for reimbursement of losses caused by the data breach, such as credit costs, unreimbursed financial losses, lost time, and more. These payments will not exceed $300 for ordinary expenses, $100 for lost time, and $5,000 for extraordinary losses, bringing the total to a maximum of $5,400.

Class action participants who seek reimbursement can also receive two years of free credit and identity theft monitoring. These services include real-time monitoring with all three major credit bureaus, $1 million in identity theft insurance, and fraud intelligence resources.

The deadline for exclusion and appeal is August 23, 2024.

The final hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for October 15, 2024.

To receive compensation related to Nationwide Vision’s data breach, class action participants must submit a valid claim form by September 23, 2024.