Missouri health department pays $2.25M over 2022 data breach

Jefferson County Health Department in Hillsboro, Missouri, has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit over a 2022 data breach. If your information was exposed, you may be able to collect a one-time $150 payment or up to $300 for documented losses. The deadline to claim is November 16, 2026.

What happened

The health department found the problem on or around November 15, 2022. An investigation showed that an unauthorized outsider had access to its network between October 31 and November 15, 2022. That person may have viewed or taken personal and health information.

The exposed details could include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, medical information and health insurance information. The breach was reported to the federal Office for Civil Rights on January 13, 2023. It involved 115,940 people.

The lawsuit

The first class action was filed on January 27, 2023. A second complaint was joined with it on October 2, 2023. The plaintiffs said they would not have sought care there had they known their information was not well protected. They accused the department of negligence and other failures, including breach of contract.

The department says it did nothing wrong and does not believe it is liable. A court denied its request to dismiss the case. Both sides then agreed to a settlement, which avoids the cost and risk of a trial and appeals.

What people can get

The $2.25 million fund pays for more than payments to people. Attorneys' fees and expenses, the cost of running the settlement, and awards for the three people who led the case come out first. What remains pays class members. They have two choices:

• Claim documented, unreimbursed losses from the breach, up to $300 per person.
• That $300 cap includes up to three hours of lost time, counted at $20 per hour.
• Or skip the loss claim and take a one-time cash payment of $150.

Dates to know

November 16, 2026 is the deadline to submit a claim, object to the settlement, or opt out. Opting out means staying outside the settlement. The court's final fairness hearing is set for December 10, 2026.

What is not clear

The material does not say exactly who counts as a class member or where to file a claim. It also does not say when payments would go out. People who think they were affected should look for an official notice about the settlement and use the details it gives.