$6.37 Million Apria Healthcare Settlement: In today’s digital age, our personal information—such as names, addresses, identification numbers, medical records, and bank details—is all stored securely on the internet and in digital systems. But when there is a breach in the security of this sensitive information, the consequences can be very serious. Recently, America’s famous healthcare company Apria Healthcare has reached a settlement of $6.37 million in a major data breach case.
This settlement relates to a 2019 cyberattack that compromised the personal information of thousands of customers and employees. Following this incident, individuals filed lawsuits against the company, and now, after years of legal proceedings, the company has agreed to pay this substantial sum to settle the case.
Let’s explore the case, who is eligible for compensation, and how to file a claim.
Table of Contents
What does Apria Healthcare do?
Apria Healthcare is a well-known home healthcare service provider in the United States. The company provides patients with home healthcare services, including:
- oxygen therapy
- treatment of sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea)
- wound care
- and a variety of other home healthcare services.
The company claims to provide safe, reliable, and quality medical support to its customers. But when its security system was cyberattacked in 2019, not only was the company’s reputation compromised, but the personal information of thousands of people was also leaked.
What happened in the 2019 data breach?
In 2019, there was a significant cyberattack on the systems of Apria Healthcare. The hackers gained access to the computer network of the company and stole data throughout several months. Personal information of the customers and employees is believed to include.
- names,
- addresses,
- Social Security numbers,
- medical information,
- insurance details,
- and in some cases, even banking details,
were unauthorizedly accessed.
The company has since notified the affected people of the incident later but claims were raised that the notification was delayed a lot. The affected people claimed that the company should have given them instantaneous information so that they could have taken up actions in good time to secure their accounts.
What were the allegations in the lawsuit?
Several customers and employees filed a class action lawsuit against Apria Healthcare, alleging that the company failed to implement “appropriate and modern cybersecurity measures,” which led to the data breach.
Plaintiffs argued that:
- The company failed to exercise adequate vigilance regarding data security.
- Strong security systems were not implemented to prevent hackers.
- Even after the data breach, the company failed to notify customers in a timely manner.
- This negligence increased the risk of identity theft, fraud, and financial loss.
Although the company did not admit fault, it agreed to a settlement to resolve the lawsuit.
Amount and Purpose of the Settlement
Apria Healthcare has established a settlement fund of $6.375 million, approximately ₹53 crore (approximately ₹53 crore) to resolve the case.
The purpose of this settlement is to:
- Compensate affected individuals for actual out-of-pocket losses,
- As well as provide cash payments to those eligible for the settlement.
The firm has made it clear that this settlement does not involve an acceptance of an error or a misconduct, but it is simply a move to save on the cost and the risk of a legal action.
Compensation Terms and Benefits
Two benefits may be provided to the eligible persons under this settlement:
1. Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement
In a case where a person has incurred financial losses due to this data breach, he/she may be given up to 2000 dollars to compensate the expenses.
This includes:
- Losses from bank or credit card fraud,
- Expenses related to identity theft,
- Fees of an expert or attorney,
- Costs of credit monitoring,
- And other related expenses.
Proof (such as receipts, bank statements, etc.) will be required for all these claims. Handwritten or self-prepared documents will not be considered sufficient.
2. Pro Rata Cash Payment
Those who cannot prove direct financial loss can also receive cash from this settlement fund. This payment will be made on a “pro rata” basis—meaning the remaining funds from the total fund will be distributed proportionately among eligible members.
The exact value will depend on how many people file claims and how much of the total fund is spent.
Who is eligible for this settlement?
This settlement will benefit those who received notification from Apria Healthcare that their data was affected in the 2019 cyberattack.
If a person received an email, letter, or notification from the company informing them that their information may have been compromised, they can be part of this class action settlement.
How to file a claim?
If you are eligible, you must fill out a claim form.
Required Steps:
- Fill out the claim form: You can fill out this form online or send it by post.
- Attach Evidence: If you have suffered any losses, provide supporting evidence (such as receipts, bank statements, etc.).
- Keep in mind the deadlines:
- Claim submission deadline: October 22, 2025
- Objection or removal deadline: September 22, 2025
- Final court hearing: November 4, 2025
- Verify the accuracy: You must swear on the claim form that all information is true. Providing false information may result in legal action.
Lawyers and Administrators
Separate teams have been appointed to oversee the administration and legal process of this case.
- Class Counsel: These are the lawyers representing the affected individuals.
- Claims Administrator: This is the body that handles all claims. The administrative team handles the receipt and payment process.
The administrative team will ensure that every eligible individual receives their share and that the entire process is conducted in a transparent manner.
What if you’re not eligible?
When you were not a customer of Apria Healthcare and when you did not receive their notice about this cyberattack, then you are not supposed to submit the claim form.
A deceptive statement is criminal, and it will be detrimental to the actual victims who are supposed to get this compensation.
In case you do not know whether you are an eligible member, you can see your notice or track the official settlement site to read the frequently asked questions.
Lessons from this incident
This case is not only a court case, but also a lesson to our online lives.
- The Essentials of Data Security
- Protecting the personal information of customers is a paramount task any organization, be it a bank, hospital, or healthcare company should take into account.
- Timely Notification is Essential
- In case of a data breach, it should be reported to the affected people as soon as possible to ensure that they take measures to safeguard themselves.
- Public Awareness
- Digital security is a thing that we must all be on guard. Check on your accounts frequently and act at once in case of any suspicious activity.
- Law and Accountability
- Other cases such as these show firms the expense of negligence. This makes other organizations be more alert and work on enhancing their data security systems.
Conclusion
Such a settlement as Apria Healthcare has to contribute 6.37 million is the evidence that the data security failures are not only a technical error nowadays, but also the violation of the legal and ethical duty.
While the company may not have admitted its mistake, it has taken this step to provide relief to those affected. This settlement is an example for all those who rely on the digital world.
If you’ve received a data breach notice from Apria, fill out the claim form promptly and get what you’re entitled to.
This case also teaches us that when it comes to data, security is not an option, but a necessity.
FAQs:
Q. What is this settlement about?
A. Apria Healthcare agreed to a $6.37 million settlement to resolve claims that it failed to prevent a 2019 data breach, which exposed customers’ and employees’ personal information.
Q. Who is eligible?
A. Individuals who received a notice from Apria stating their information may have been compromised during the 2019 breach or subsequent unauthorized access events.
Q. How do I file a claim?
A. Submit a claim form online or by mail. Documentation like receipts, invoices, or statements is required to support your claim.