Americans to get $5,070 payments from ‘estate planning’ data breach settlement

SELECT Americans can get thousands from a data breach settlement soon, so long as they have a receipt.

The direct payment opportunity comes after a class action lawsuit was filed against law firm Marshall & Melhorn.

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Marshall & Melhorn offers the services any firm would, but it specializes in business and estate planning along with intellectual property law.

Plaintiffs in the suit claim that inadequate cybersecurity measures at the firm allowed for a data breach between August and September 2021, resulting in identity theft and fraud to befall some clients.

The breach compromised sensitive details like names, financial data, and even Social Security numbers, according to the website created for the case.

While Marshall & Melhorn did not admit to any wrongdoing, it agreed to an $800,000 settlement pot to resolve the claims and avoid further legal costs.

ELIGIBILITY

Those who meet several criteria can get money from the pot.

Claimants must’ve been clients with Marshall & Melhorn at the time of the data breach.

They must’ve also received a notification that their information may have been compromised as a result.

That notification would’ve been given through a postcard notice.

FILING A CLAIM

The notice includes a special Claim Login ID, and PIN meant to be entered through the online claim form on the settlement website.

Those who do not have that information are instructed to contact the settlement administrator at (888) 226-9511.

It’s best to do it fast, as the deadline to submit a claim with the Claim Login ID and PIN information is set for December 23, 2024.

Claimants must also provide documentation with their form.

PROOF AND PAYMENT

That includes any expense reports like receipts, tax documents, financial statements or other records.

Those records will verify data-breach related expenses that clients with Marshall & Melhorn incurred.

All qualifying claimants with proof can get a pro-rata cash distribution of an estimated $70.

What’s a class-action settlement?

Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.

These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.

When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.

Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.

These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.

Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.

The amount will be adjusted depending on the number of eligible claims filed and other variables.

Claimants with specific documentation of out-of-pocket expenses due to the data breach, like unreimbursed losses from identity theft and fraud, freezing or unfreezing credit fees, or others could get an added payment of $5,000.

So, in total, the potential award is $5,070.

OTHER DEADLINES

A deadline for exclusion and objection in the Marshall & Melhorn lawsuit already passed on November 21, 2024.

There will be a final hearing for the settlement’s approval on January 13, 2025.

Funds will likely be sent out not long after that, should the settlement be approved.

Americans should also remain aware of other settlements.

Pet owners can get a one-time payment from an $825,000 poop bag settlement.

Visa and Mastercard are also giving customers cash from a $197.5 million surcharge settlement.