SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – A health care insurance company is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed last week over an alleged security breach that released members’ private information.
Ann Michelle Blackwolfe and Jonathan Blackwolfe filed the lawsuit March 19 against Premera Blue Cross in Washington state, alleging the company failed to secure sensitive member medical records and other confidential information.
Members’ names, dates of birth, billing information and Social Security numbers also were allegedly compromised in the breach, the lawsuit states.
Premera announced March 17 that it had discovered a data security breach on one of its information technology systems, which resulted in the release of sensitive information for approximately 11 million members.
The insurer allegedly found out about the breach in January, but an investigation revealed the attack occurred on May 5, 2014. The suit said the breach is the largest attack reported involving patient medical information.
The plaintiffs seek class status for those affected by the breach, as well as more than $5 million in damages plus court costs.
The Blackwolfes are represented by Cliff Cantor, of the Law Offices of Clifford A. Cantor PC in Sammamish, Wash.; and William B. Federman, of Federman & Sherwood in Oklahoma City, Okla.
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle case number 2:15-cv-00429
