In May 2023, Clinton, Iowa-based healthcare provider MercyOne Clinton revealed that in early April of this year, its computer networks had experienced a disruption. Upon investigation, MercyOne discovered that an unauthorized party had accessed those systems between March 7 and April 4, and may have been able to obtain sensitive information about MercyOne patients.
According to MercyOne, records on more than 20,000 patients may have been compromised.
The information potentially available to the network intruder included:
- Patient names
- Addresses
- Dates of birth
- Driver’s license/state identification numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical record numbers
- Encounter numbers
- Medicare or Medicaid identification numbers
- Mental or physical treatment/condition information
- Diagnosis code/information
- Dates of service
- Admission/discharge date
- Prescription information
- Billing/claims information,
- Personal representative or guardian names
- Health insurance information
Data Breach Victims Face Risks But Have Legal Rights
MercyOne stressed in its May 12 disclosure that it was not aware of any misuse of the information that the network intruder might have accessed. But the tens of thousands of data breach victims face significant risks.
The data possibly exposed in the breach has great value to identity thieves, who might use it to defraud credit card issuers, banks, retailers, government agencies, and others, which can ruin the credit and finances of the victims whose identities they stole.
Repairing the damage can consume enormous effort, expense, and emotional energy. Oftentimes, fraudsters continue to exploit the stolen information for years, drawing, causing additional strain and anxiety for data breach victims.
If MercyOne Clinton notified you that the recent breach of its network may have exposed your personal and health data, or if you believe you are a possible victim because you received care at a MercyOne clinic, you have potentially valuable legal rights to seek compensation for the harm you’ve already suffered or that could occur because of the breach down the road.
An experienced data breach lawyer at Finkelstein & Partners wants to help you explore your rights and options. In a free consultation, a member of our team can evaluate your level of exposure to the Mercy Medical Center – Clinton data breach, answer your questions about your rights and detail the options you may have for holding MercyOne or others accountable for damages.
We have a wealth of experience in data breach cases like yours that we can put to work in investigating the risks you face and analyzing your rights to seek compensation from anyone who failed to safeguard your most sensitive personal data.
Contact a Mercy Medical Center Data Breach Lawyer at Finkelstein & Partners Today
The data breach at MercyOne Clinton may have resulted in identity thieves accessing voluminous data about your healthcare and finances. You have no time to lose if you want to contain the potential damage and receive fair compensation for the harm already done and yet to be done.
Contact an experienced data breach lawyer at Finkelstein & Partners today or call us at (315) 453-3053 for your free case evaluation.
Mr. Finkelstein is the Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP. He has become a noted consumer activist through his representation of injured individuals against corporate wrongdoers and irresponsible parties.
An accomplished litigator, Mr. Finkelstein has represented Plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He has successfully handled dozens of multi-million dollar cases.