Individuals who received notice of the Essen Health Care data breach may be eligible to claim up to $5,100 from a $4 million class action settlement.
If your personal information was compromised in the Essen Health Care data breach, there is a settlement with real money available to you. Essen Medical Associates, P.C. agreed to pay $4 million to resolve a class action lawsuit stemming from an unauthorized access incident in March 2023 that may have exposed the personal information of approximately 907,782 patients.
The company denies all allegations but chose to settle rather than face the cost and risk of continued litigation. The Essen Health Care data breach settlement offers cash payments to people who were affected – and you do not need a lawyer or extensive paperwork to get it.
Who can file a claim?
Individuals must meet the following criteria:
- They are natural persons residing in the United States.
- Their personal information was potentially affected by the Essen Health Care data breach that occurred between March 14 and March 22, 2023.
- They received a mailed notice from Essen Medical Associates informing them their information may have been compromised.
Were you affected by the Essen Health Care data breach? You could be owed up to $5,100.
File Your Claim NowHow much can class members receive?
Class members can claim several types of awards, depending on their circumstances and the documentation they provide:
- Documented loss payment: Up to $5,000 for unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the data breach – fraud losses, identity theft recovery fees, credit freeze costs, lost tax refund interest, and other documented expenses. Requires reasonable documentation showing the breach most likely caused the loss and insurance did not reimburse it.
- Cash fund payment: Up to $100 as a pro rata cash distribution from the settlement fund. No documentation required. The final amount depends on the total number of valid claims submitted and the remaining settlement funds after other deductions.
How to claim a data breach payment
Class members can submit the online claim form using the unique ID and PIN from their mailed notice, or download, print, complete and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is June 1, 2026.
Essen Medical Data Breach Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2020, Portland, OR 97208-2020
What proof or documentation is necessary to submit a claim?
- All claimants submitting online must provide the unique ID and PIN from the postcard notice they received from the settlement administrator.
- Claimants filing for documented losses must provide reasonable documentation such as credit card statements, bank statements, invoices, phone records, or receipts showing the breach most likely caused the loss and insurance did not reimburse it.
- Claimants filing for the cash fund payment do not need to provide documentation beyond selecting the appropriate option on the claim form.
- Individuals who did not receive a notice but believe they qualify may still file a claim with supporting documentation.
Payout options
- Digital payment (via email after approval)
- Physical check (if no email provided or digital option not selected)
Settlement fund breakdown
The $4 million settlement fund covers:
When is the Essen Health Care settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court grants final approval of the settlement. The final approval hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2026. No specific payout date has been announced – this is standard at this stage of the process.
Payments will be distributed after final approval and after any appeals are resolved. Settlement checks will expire 90 days from issuance, so cash them promptly when they arrive.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The Essen Health Care data breach settlement stems from a class action lawsuit alleging Essen Medical Associates experienced an unauthorized access incident between March 14 and March 22, 2023, that compromised the personal information of approximately 907,782 patients. The plaintiffs claimed Essen was negligent in protecting patient data.
The lawsuit alleged negligence, breach of implied contract, breach of fiduciary duty, violations of New York General Business Law, and unjust enrichment. Essen denies all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation.
Is the Essen Health Care data breach settlement legitimate?
Yes – this is a fully court-supervised settlement. Here is what confirms it:
- Case number: 801239/2024E, filed in New York
- Administrator: Epiq Global, an independent third-party settlement administrator
- Official site: ehcsettlement.com
- Class counsel: Israel David LLC, Strauss Borrelli PLLC, Ahdoot & Wolfson PC, Laukaitis Law LLC, and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman LLP
The Essen Health Care data breach settlement received preliminary approval on January 27, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2026. Claims must be filed before June 1, 2026 – no payments will be issued before final approval.
How much will I actually receive from the Essen Health Care settlement?
It depends on what you claim and how many people file. The $4 million fund is split among all valid claimants after administrative costs and attorney fees are deducted.
- Up to $100 (no docs needed) – the cash fund payment. Pro rata distribution, so the exact amount depends on how many people file. No documentation required.
- Up to $5,000 (documented losses) – requires reasonable documentation of unreimbursed expenses caused by the breach.
- Both combined: You can file for both the documented loss payment and the cash fund payment, for a theoretical maximum of $5,100.
With approximately 907,782 affected individuals, the actual cash fund payment per person will depend heavily on how many people file claims. Filing early and completely gives you the best chance at the maximum payout.
What actually happened in the Essen Health Care data breach?
Between March 14 and March 22, 2023, Essen Medical Associates, P.C. – a multi-specialty medical practice operating as Essen Health Care in New York – experienced an unauthorized access incident that compromised patient records.
What was exposed: Full names, driver’s license and state ID numbers, passport numbers, dates of birth, medical diagnoses, financial account information, health insurance information, and medical information.
What the lawsuit claims: That Essen Health Care failed to implement adequate security measures to protect highly sensitive patient data, including medical and financial information.
What Essen says: They deny all allegations – but agreed to a $4 million settlement and must improve their cybersecurity procedures going forward.
Why do companies settle data breach lawsuits even when they deny wrongdoing?
Settlement does not mean admission of guilt. Companies settle for practical reasons:
- Litigation is expensive – legal fees alone can exceed the settlement amount
- Trials are unpredictable – a verdict could result in a far larger payout
- Settling ends years of ongoing litigation and negative press
- For plaintiffs, it guarantees a payout rather than risking nothing at trial
Courts still review every class action settlement to confirm it is fair and reasonable – that is what the July 7, 2026 final approval hearing is for. Denying wrongdoing while settling is standard practice and has no effect on your right to file a claim.
Sources
- Settlement website
- Online claim form
- ClassAction.org coverage
- Claim Depot settlement details
- PDF claim form