Washington Gastroenterology Data Breach Settlement: How to Claim

For documented-loss claims, the notice lists examples such as unreimbursed identity-theft losses, postage, copying, travel, parking, bank fees, and certain phone or data charges. Identity-theft losses must be actual, documented, unreimbursed, fairly traceable to the incident, and incurred from October 23, 2024 through the date the claim is submitted.

The notice says you cannot be paid again for expenses already reimbursed by another source in connection with the identity-protection and credit-monitoring services offered with the breach notification or otherwise.

If you select the documented-loss payment but do not provide reasonable documentation, or if that claim is rejected and you do not fix it, the administrator will process the claim as a request for the alternate cash payment instead.

The amount of either cash payment can rise or fall based on the total value of valid claims. The notice says the net fund is distributed first for monitoring, then documented-loss payments, and then alternate-cash payments. Any percentage adjustment to cash payments is applied equally.

You can request two years of one-bureau medical-record and credit-monitoring coverage in addition to either cash option. A timely, valid claim form is required for every settlement benefit. The notice does not identify separate supporting documents for the monitoring request.

You may submit a claim online by January 10, 2027, or mail it to the Settlement Administrator at the address on the claim form with a January 10, 2027 postmark. Claim forms are available through the settlement website, by phone, or by writing to the administrator.

The notice cautions that mail may not be postmarked on the day it is put in a mailbox or taken to a local post office. It recommends mailing at least a week early, getting an in-person manual postmark, or using Certified Mail.

To leave the settlement (opt out), mail a written exclusion request that gives your name, mailing address, telephone number, email address if any, your physical signature, and a statement that you want to be excluded. It must be postmarked by December 11, 2026.

You cannot opt out by phone or email. If multiple people seek exclusion, each person must provide the required information and sign.

Objecting means telling the Court you disagree with some or all of the settlement while remaining in the class. To object, you must file the objection with the Court and mail copies to Class Counsel, Defendant’s Counsel, and the Settlement Administrator by December 11, 2026. You cannot object if you opt out.

The notice requires detailed information with an objection, including your contact information, grounds and legal support, information about certain prior objections, lawyer information, hearing plans, and your own signature. The full list continues on pages 6 and 7 of the notice.

Benefits are not due simply because a claim deadline passes. The notice says a timely, valid claim will be paid or provided only after the Court approves the settlement and it becomes final. It says this process may take time.

The final approval hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2027, at 9:00 a.m. PT in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce, in Tacoma. The date, time, format, or location may change.