STILL SERVING AMERICA

VA Data Breaches Update

On January 27, 2009 the VA agreed to pay $20 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed after a computer, containing personal information on over 26 million veterans and family members, was stolen from the home of a VA employee. The money, less costs and attorneys fees, will be used to pay claims from veterans who can show that they suffered harm as a result of the theft.

Although VA eventually recovered the computer and the FBI stated that the confidential information had not been compromised, thousands of veterans purchased data security monitoring services; still others suffered emotional distress as a result of the theft. The settlement was approved by the Federal Judge assigned to the lawsuit on 10 FEB 09.

The attorneys for the plaintiffs (VA) have stated that they will publish public notices describing the claims process. The ruling stipulates that payments will range from $75 to $1,500 for veterans who incurred expenses for credit monitoring or physical symptoms of emotional distress.

Information regarding the VA data theft litigation, and a claims application form can be downloaded from http://www.veteransclass.com/Documents/ClaimForm.pdf . The postmarked deadline to submit a claim is November 27,2009. If you don’t want to be legally bound by the settlement you must exclude yourself by June 29, 2009 or you won’t be able to sue, or continue to sue, the dependents on your own about the legal claims in this case. If you exclude yourself, you cannot get a payment from the settlement. More information concerning the settlement may be found at http://www.veteransclass.com or by calling 1-888-288-9624, or by writing to VA Settlement, PO Box 6727, Portland, OR 97228-6727.

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