Eligible Individuals May Claim Up to $5,000 or Receive a $45 Cash Payment

Were you notified that your personal information was involved in the Dakota Eye Institute data breach disclosed in October 2023?

Stay Updated and Take Action
Explore our current list of active class action lawsuits and open settlements, or review recent data breach cases you may be eligible to participate in.

Claim Form

Click Here to Submit a Claim

Important Notice: By submitting a claim for this class action settlement, you are certifying that all information provided is true and accurate under penalty of perjury. Any claim containing false, misleading, or fraudulent information will be denied.

If you are uncertain about your eligibility, please review the settlement administrator’s website listed above before filing. Do not submit a claim if you do not qualify for this settlement.

If this settlement does not apply to you, you may explore our other active class action settlements that you could be eligible to join.

Eligibility

This settlement covers individuals whose personal information was exposed as a result of the Dakota Eye Institute data breach that was identified and reported on October 31, 2023.

Providing Proof

To request reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, claimants must submit documentation such as bank or credit card statements, receipts, invoices, or billing records that demonstrate breach-related costs.

Settlement Overview

Additional Information

Patients of a North Dakota–based eye care provider may be eligible for compensation following a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information. Dakota Eye Institute has agreed to a $1 million settlement to resolve claims alleging it did not sufficiently protect patient data from unauthorized access.

Dakota Eye Institute offers a wide range of vision care services, including routine eye exams, cataract surgery, LASIK procedures, and glaucoma treatment. In October 2023, the practice disclosed that intruders had gained access to its systems and may have obtained confidential patient records.

Among the exposed information were Social Security numbers, which are especially valuable to identity thieves. When combined with other personal and medical details, this information can be used to open fraudulent accounts, submit false tax filings, or commit medical identity fraud.

Plaintiffs alleged that the breach could have been prevented if reasonable cybersecurity safeguards had been in place. According to the complaint, Dakota Eye Institute failed to implement standard security measures that might have stopped the intrusion or limited the scope of the data accessed.

Dakota Eye Institute has denied any security failures and has not admitted wrongdoing. The settlement was reached to resolve the claims without continued litigation.

Compensation Options Available

Affected individuals may choose from several forms of compensation based on their circumstances:

• Reimbursement for Ordinary Expenses: Class members who incurred costs responding to the breach may claim up to $1,000 for typical out-of-pocket expenses. Eligible costs include bank fees, credit monitoring or credit report charges purchased independently, and other unreimbursed expenses related to the breach. Supporting documentation will be required.
• Reimbursement for Extraordinary Losses: Individuals who experienced identity theft, fraudulent transactions, or other substantial financial harm tied to the breach may claim up to $5,000. Documentation demonstrating that the losses resulted from the breach will strengthen the claim.
• Cash Payment Option: Class members who did not incur specific expenses, or who prefer not to submit documentation, may choose a $45 cash payment instead of reimbursement. The final amount may be adjusted depending on the number of claims submitted.
• Credit Monitoring: All class members may receive two years of single-bureau credit monitoring along with at least $1 million in identity theft insurance. Those who select the cash payment option will not receive this benefit.

Important Dates:

• Final Approval Hearing: January 12, 2026
• Claim Submission Deadline: January 12, 2026
• Opt-Out or Objection Deadline: December 13, 2025

Stay Updated

Stay Updated