Payments have begun to flow to over 900,000 claimants in the LifeLabs class action lawsuit, marking a significant step towards resolution for those affected by the data breach.
The payments, which range from $10 to $60, are being distributed to individuals who had their personal information compromised in the 2019 cyberattack on LifeLabs, one of Canada’s largest medical laboratory services providers.
According to the settlement agreement, eligible claimants include anyone who had a LifeLabs account or who had their information collected by LifeLabs between October 2016 and December 2019. This includes customers in British Columbia, Ontario, and other provinces where LifeLabs operates.
The data breach, which was first discovered in late 2019, exposed the personal information of approximately 15 million LifeLabs customers, including names, addresses, email addresses, login credentials, and health card numbers. The company paid a ransom to retrieve the stolen data and has since implemented enhanced security measures.
The class action lawsuit was launched in January 2020, alleging that LifeLabs failed to adequately protect the personal information of its customers and did not promptly notify them of the breach. The settlement was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in November 2020.
In addition to the monetary compensation, LifeLabs has also agreed to provide affected individuals with free credit monitoring and identity theft insurance for one year. The company has also committed to implementing additional security measures to prevent future data breaches.
Claimants who have not yet received their payment are encouraged to check their email for instructions on how to claim their compensation. Those who have not received an email by May 14, 2021, are advised to contact the settlement administrator.
While the payments may not fully compensate for the harm caused by the data breach, they are a step towards holding LifeLabs accountable and providing some relief to those affected. The company has also issued a public apology and has committed to rebuilding trust with its customers.
The distribution of payments is expected to be completed by the end of May 2021. For more information on the class action settlement and how to claim compensation, individuals can visit the settlement website or contact the settlement administrator.
