Lehigh Valley Health Network 65M settlement finalized WHYY
pIndepth analysis and commentary on todays biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver BBC Newshour covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh clear perspective from across the globeppThe classaction lawsuit represented cancer patients whose nude photos and medical information were posted to the dark web by a Russian cybergang in 2023 ppLehigh Valley Health Network Courtesy of LVHNppFrom Philly and the Pa suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware what would you like WHYY News to cover Let us know
ppA Pennsylvania judge has cleared the way for a 65 million settlement with Lehigh Valley Health Network in a data breach case that involved stolen medical records and nude photos of cancer patients taken during exams posted on the dark web by a Russian cybergang
ppAt a hearing Friday in Lackawanna County Court Senior Judge Thomas A James gave final approval to a deal between the health system and members of a classaction lawsuit first filed in 2023
ppMore than 134000 affected patients will receive a settlement payment depending on the degree to which they were affected by the breach
ppWe struck the right deal said Patrick Howard lead plaintiff attorney and partner at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky The vast majority of that money is going to mostly women whose images were published online in topless fashion with both their face exposed and their name in the files
ppIn February 2023 leaders at Lehigh Valley Health Network issued a public notice to announce that the health system was targeted by a Russian ransomware group called BlackCat
ppThe cybergang hacked into a computer system that contained patient images for radiation oncology treatment and other sensitive information according to the notice
ppBlackCat demanded ransom and when the health system refused to pay it the group posted medical records employment information and photos of patients on the dark web
ppWhen you go to the doctors office thats one place where youre anticipating that everyone is working to maintain your privacy even though you have to open yourself up to be treated Howard said It wasnt lost on anyone that that was a very significant breach
ppStolen and posted information included patient medical histories with alcohol and substance use disorders mental health conditions reproductive and sexual health diagnoses and more things that again we would all generally cherish as private Howard said
pp
Pa abortion providers legal experts look at whats ahead for reproductive rights under a second Trump term
ppppHealth providers and legal experts say changes to federal funding insurance coverage and federal law during Trumps first presidency could foretell whats to comepp3 weeks agoppThe classaction lawsuit filed on March 13 2023 accused the Lehigh Valley Health System of failing to protect patient information The health system continues to deny any wrongdoing but said the settlement is the result of goodfaith armslength negotiations on a website it set up for affected patients
ppBoth sides agree that in light of the risks and expense associated with continued litigation this settlement is fair and appropriate under the circumstances and it is in the best interests of the settlement class the health systems statement reads
ppThe lawsuit was led by patient Jane Doe who used a pseudonym to maintain her privacy and protect her identity As the lead plaintiff she stands to receive 125000 in damages
ppOther classaction members will get between 50 to 80000 each based on how their information was hacked andor posted
ppAfter the deal clears a final 30day appeal window patients should receive settlement checks in the first quarter of 2025
ppPictures are part of medical care Thats something that they do to track scarring and all sorts of things But they are the most delicate and sensitive medical information Howard said I think this case will be talked about in health care circles for some time in best practices in storing those types of images
ppGet daily updates from WHYY NewsppThe free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inboxppWHYY is your source for factbased indepth journalism and information As a nonprofit organization we rely on financial support from readers like you Please give todaypp
Jefferson Health Lehigh Valley Health Network sign agreement to merge
ppppOnce the agreement goes through the unified system will comprise 30 hospitals and more than 700 sites across Pennsylvania and New Jerseypp7 months agopp
Battle continues over vaccination powers for Pa pharmacies
ppppSince 2020 Pa pharmacies have benefitted from emergency flexibilities which allowed them to more easily vaccinate both adults and children Those waivers are set to expirepp2 years agopp
We want you to call 911 Following Fettermans stroke neurologists weigh in on how to spot and act FAST on warning signs
ppppDuring Stroke Awareness Month specialists in the Philly region say dont delay carepp3 years agoppNicole Leonard is a health and science reporter for WHYY Newspp2 hours agopp3 hours agopp4 hours agoppppWant a digest of WHYYs programs events stories Sign up for our weekly newsletterppTogether we can reach 100 of WHYYs fiscal year goalppppWHYY provides trustworthy factbased local news and information and worldclass entertainment to everyone in our communityppWHYY offers a voice to those not heard a platform to share everyones stories a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY Its how we livepp2153511200
talkbackwhyyorgpp3025167506
talkbackwhyyorgpp MMXXIV WHYY ppWHYY is partnered withp
ppA Pennsylvania judge has cleared the way for a 65 million settlement with Lehigh Valley Health Network in a data breach case that involved stolen medical records and nude photos of cancer patients taken during exams posted on the dark web by a Russian cybergang
ppAt a hearing Friday in Lackawanna County Court Senior Judge Thomas A James gave final approval to a deal between the health system and members of a classaction lawsuit first filed in 2023
ppMore than 134000 affected patients will receive a settlement payment depending on the degree to which they were affected by the breach
ppWe struck the right deal said Patrick Howard lead plaintiff attorney and partner at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky The vast majority of that money is going to mostly women whose images were published online in topless fashion with both their face exposed and their name in the files
ppIn February 2023 leaders at Lehigh Valley Health Network issued a public notice to announce that the health system was targeted by a Russian ransomware group called BlackCat
ppThe cybergang hacked into a computer system that contained patient images for radiation oncology treatment and other sensitive information according to the notice
ppBlackCat demanded ransom and when the health system refused to pay it the group posted medical records employment information and photos of patients on the dark web
ppWhen you go to the doctors office thats one place where youre anticipating that everyone is working to maintain your privacy even though you have to open yourself up to be treated Howard said It wasnt lost on anyone that that was a very significant breach
ppStolen and posted information included patient medical histories with alcohol and substance use disorders mental health conditions reproductive and sexual health diagnoses and more things that again we would all generally cherish as private Howard said
pp
Pa abortion providers legal experts look at whats ahead for reproductive rights under a second Trump term
ppppHealth providers and legal experts say changes to federal funding insurance coverage and federal law during Trumps first presidency could foretell whats to comepp3 weeks agoppThe classaction lawsuit filed on March 13 2023 accused the Lehigh Valley Health System of failing to protect patient information The health system continues to deny any wrongdoing but said the settlement is the result of goodfaith armslength negotiations on a website it set up for affected patients
ppBoth sides agree that in light of the risks and expense associated with continued litigation this settlement is fair and appropriate under the circumstances and it is in the best interests of the settlement class the health systems statement reads
ppThe lawsuit was led by patient Jane Doe who used a pseudonym to maintain her privacy and protect her identity As the lead plaintiff she stands to receive 125000 in damages
ppOther classaction members will get between 50 to 80000 each based on how their information was hacked andor posted
ppAfter the deal clears a final 30day appeal window patients should receive settlement checks in the first quarter of 2025
ppPictures are part of medical care Thats something that they do to track scarring and all sorts of things But they are the most delicate and sensitive medical information Howard said I think this case will be talked about in health care circles for some time in best practices in storing those types of images
ppGet daily updates from WHYY NewsppThe free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inboxppWHYY is your source for factbased indepth journalism and information As a nonprofit organization we rely on financial support from readers like you Please give todaypp
Jefferson Health Lehigh Valley Health Network sign agreement to merge
ppppOnce the agreement goes through the unified system will comprise 30 hospitals and more than 700 sites across Pennsylvania and New Jerseypp7 months agopp
Battle continues over vaccination powers for Pa pharmacies
ppppSince 2020 Pa pharmacies have benefitted from emergency flexibilities which allowed them to more easily vaccinate both adults and children Those waivers are set to expirepp2 years agopp
We want you to call 911 Following Fettermans stroke neurologists weigh in on how to spot and act FAST on warning signs
ppppDuring Stroke Awareness Month specialists in the Philly region say dont delay carepp3 years agoppNicole Leonard is a health and science reporter for WHYY Newspp2 hours agopp3 hours agopp4 hours agoppppWant a digest of WHYYs programs events stories Sign up for our weekly newsletterppTogether we can reach 100 of WHYYs fiscal year goalppppWHYY provides trustworthy factbased local news and information and worldclass entertainment to everyone in our communityppWHYY offers a voice to those not heard a platform to share everyones stories a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY Its how we livepp2153511200
talkbackwhyyorgpp3025167506
talkbackwhyyorgpp MMXXIV WHYY ppWHYY is partnered withp
