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The WellNow Data Breach Settlement: What You Need to Know
Here’s what happened: In April 2023, WellNow Urgent Care got hit with a ransomware attack. It wasn’t a minor slip-up—this breach exposed the personal data of nearly 600,000 people. That includes names, birthdates, medical info, and for over 55,000 of them, even Social Security numbers. If your data was caught up in it, you’re probably eligible to get compensated.
The Lawsuit Behind the Settlement
Not long after the breach, a class action lawsuit landed in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, Illinois. The case, officially titled Tambroni, et al. v. WellNow Urgent Care, P.C., et al., argued that WellNow and its partners (like Aspen Dental and The Aspen Group) failed to put proper security measures in place.
That’s what led to the breach. No rocket science here—just bad security hygiene in an industry that really can’t afford to mess around with sensitive data.
Still, the defendants didn’t admit they did anything wrong. But they did agree to settle the case for $4.4 million.
What the $4.4 Million Covers
This isn’t one of those settlements where the lawyers walk away with everything and everyone else gets a $3 check. The $4.4 million is split several ways:
- Around $1.45 million goes to attorney fees and court costs.
- $16,000 total is set aside as service awards for the plaintiffs.
- The rest goes to the people actually impacted by the breach—those whose data was exposed.
Who Can Get Paid—and How Much
The affected people fall into two main buckets:
1. Non-SSN Class Members
Roughly 541,870 people had their personal info exposed, but not their Social Security numbers. If you're in this group, you can claim compensation for:
- Lost time spent dealing with the breach (up to $50)
- Documented expenses related to identity theft or fraud (up to $7,500)
2. SSN Class Members
About 55,131 people had their SSNs exposed. If that’s you, you’re eligible for:
- Up to $7,500 in documented expenses
- Up to $75 for lost time
- Or a cash payout, if you don’t have documentation but were still affected
This means if you had to freeze your credit, spend hours calling banks, or even just buy identity monitoring software—those expenses might be reimbursed. But you’ll need to provide some proof.
How to File a Claim
You’ve got options. Claims can be submitted online or through the mail, and the deadline is July 11, 2025. That might sound like a long way off, but don’t wait too long. The sooner you file, the sooner you’re in line for payment.
Once everything gets court approval (and assuming there are no appeals), payments should go out around 75 days later.
All the details, documents, and claim forms are on the official site: wellnowdatasecuritysettlement.com. It’s legit—just make sure you’re on the real site, not a sketchy copycat.
Why This Matters (Even If You Weren’t Affected)
This breach isn’t just about one urgent care provider. It’s a wake-up call for the entire healthcare industry. Medical providers store loads of sensitive info, and when that data leaks, it’s not just an inconvenience—it can seriously mess up people’s lives.
It’s like leaving your house key under the doormat and being shocked when someone walks in.
Healthcare providers need to treat cybersecurity like life support—not a “nice-to-have.” And if they don’t? Lawsuits like this one show that people are finally holding them accountable.
Bottom Line
If you got a notice about the WellNow breach or think your data might’ve been involved, check your eligibility and file a claim. There’s real money on the table—up to $7,500—and you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to get what you’re owed.
Data breaches are exhausting, but at least this one comes with a shot at meaningful compensation 💸. Just don’t sleep on it.
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