The proposed settlement covers people whose information was compromised in the November 2024 WPM Pathology data breach. Class members can claim up to $4,000 for extraordinary losses, up to $400 for ordinary losses, or a $45 cash payment. Claims are due October 19, 2026; the court has not yet approved it.
Benefit Summary
Settlement Class Members: People whose Private Information was compromised in the November 2024 data breach, including individuals to whom the Defendants sent an individual notification letter. Excluded are WPM Pathology and its officers, directors, and related companies; governmental entities; the judge, the judge’s family and staff; and people who validly exclude themselves from the settlement.
Documented losses and lost time: These benefits can combine when their individual eligibility and claim requirements are met. Enroll in two years of CyEx Identity Defense Complete, which includes credit-file monitoring, dark-web scanning, public-records monitoring, fraud-resolution assistance, and $1 million in identity theft insurance. Receive reimbursement of up to $400 for actual, documented ordinary out-of-pocket expenses caused by the data breach and incurred from November 4, 2024, through October 19, 2026. Expenses already reimbursed by a third party are excluded. Receive reimbursement of up to $4,000 for documented identity-theft or fraud losses incurred from November 4, 2024, through October 19, 2026. The loss must more likely than not have resulted from the data breach, must not already be covered as an ordinary expense, and requires efforts to prevent or recover the loss, such as using available insurance. Expenses already reimbursed by a third party are excluded. Claim up to four hours at $20 per hour, for a maximum of $80, for time spent responding to the data breach. Briefly describe the data-breach-related tasks performed.
Alternative cash payment: These benefits can combine when their individual eligibility and claim requirements are met. Enroll in two years of CyEx Identity Defense Complete, which includes credit-file monitoring, dark-web scanning, public-records monitoring, fraud-resolution assistance, and $1 million in identity theft insurance. Receive a one-time $45 cash payment without providing proof or an explanation.
Choose one of these benefit packages; they are alternatives for this group.
No aggregate settlement fund or common-benefit cap is stated. The notice says WPM Pathology will pay any court-approved attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, as well as any service award payment.
Available Awards
Up to $400 Documented Ordinary Expenses + Up to $4,000 Extraordinary Losses + Up to $80 for Lost Time OR $45 Alternative Cash Payment
Who Is Included
The settlement covers people whose Private Information was compromised in the November 2024 data breach, including people sent an individual data-breach notification letter by the Defendants. The notice excludes specified company-related people and entities, government entities, the judge and the judge’s family and staff, and people who validly opt out.
- Proof required: Ordinary expenses and extraordinary identity-theft or fraud losses require proof, such as receipts, showing the amount and connection to the data breach. Notes or papers prepared by the claimant may support other proof but cannot alone support a valid claim. Lost-time claims require a brief description of the time spent. The $45 alternative payment needs no proof or explanation.
Claim and Payment Information
- Claim method: Online, email, or U.S. mail
- Claim deadline: 2026-10-19
- Instructions: Submit one signed Claim Form by October 19, 2026. Online filing requires the LoginID and PIN from your notice. Include receipts or other supporting records only for ordinary-expense and extraordinary-loss claims; lost time needs a brief description, and the $45 alternative needs no proof. The notice describes online and mailed claims; the official claim page and six-page form checked September 9, 2026 also allow emailing an image of the completed form to [email protected].
Questions & Answers
Can I get credit monitoring as well as a cash payment?
- You can enroll in two years of CyEx Identity Defense Complete. It includes credit-file monitoring, dark-web scanning, public-records monitoring, help from a fraud-resolution agent, and $1 million in identity-theft insurance.
- You may claim this benefit along with either your documented-loss/lost-time claims or the $45 alternative cash payment. A valid Claim Form is required.
What is covered by the up-to-$400 ordinary-expense payment?
- You may seek up to $400 for actual, documented ordinary out-of-pocket expenses caused by the breach. Examples include credit-report or credit-monitoring fees, credit-freeze fees, replacement-ID costs, and postage for contacting banks.
- The expense must have occurred from November 4, 2024, through October 19, 2026. You need proof of the amount and a connection to the breach. Materials you created yourself may support other evidence, but cannot be the only proof. Amounts already reimbursed by someone else cannot be claimed.
What extra requirements apply to identity-theft or fraud losses?
- You may seek up to $4,000 for documented monetary losses from identity theft or fraud.
- You must show the fraud or theft was more likely than not caused by this breach, the loss is not already included in the ordinary-expense claim, and you tried to avoid or recover the loss, such as by using available insurance. The loss must fall between November 4, 2024, and October 19, 2026, and cannot already have been reimbursed by another party.
How does the lost-time payment work?
- You may claim up to four hours of time spent responding to the breach, paid at $20 per hour, for a maximum of $80.
- The time must be spent on breach-related tasks, such as changing passwords, looking into suspicious account activity, or researching the breach. Briefly describe how you used the time.
If I choose the $45 payment, can I also claim losses or lost time?
- The $45 payment is an alternative to all other cash-payment options. If you choose it, you cannot also claim ordinary expenses, extraordinary identity-theft or fraud losses, or lost time.
- You do not need to provide proof or an explanation for this payment. You can still claim the two years of credit monitoring.
How do I submit a claim, and what is the deadline?
- Submit a Claim Form online, or download and mail a paper form to the Settlement Administrator. You can also request a paper form by phone, email, or mail.
- Online claims must be submitted by October 19, 2026. Mailed claims must be completed, signed, and postmarked by that date. Include the supporting documentation required for any documented-loss claim. The notice does not require proof or an explanation for the $45 option; a lost-time claim needs a brief description of the time.
When will benefits or payments be sent?
- The Court must first grant final approval. Appeals may also be filed, and the notice does not say how long any appeals would take.
- Payments will be distributed only after final approval and after any appeals are resolved. The final approval hearing is scheduled for December 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, but the hearing date or time may change.
What happens if I opt out, and how do I do it?
- Opting out means leaving the settlement. You will receive no settlement benefits, but you keep any rights you may have to bring your own case about the issues covered by this settlement.
- To opt out, send a Request for Exclusion with the case name, your contact details, your personal signature, and the words “Request for Exclusion” or a clear similar statement. It must be submitted, postmarked, or emailed by October 19, 2026. You can exclude only yourself, not another person.
Can I object to the settlement instead of opting out?
- An objection tells the Court why you think it should not approve some or all of the settlement. You may object only if you stay in the settlement; someone who opts out cannot object.
- To be considered, you must file a complete objection with the Clerk of Court and send copies to the Settlement Administrator, Class Counsel, and Defendants’ counsel by October 19, 2026. The notice lists detailed content requirements, including your reasons, contact information, signature, and certain information about any lawyer or prior objections.
How can a cash payment be delivered?
The official six-page Claim Form offers PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a virtual prepaid card, or a physical check mailed to the address on the form.
Other Important Dates
- Exclusion deadline: 2026-10-19
- Objection deadline: 2026-10-19
- Final approval hearing: December 16, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. Central Time
- Hearing location: Via Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/my/judgepeterson311
Case Details
- Case name: Steinle v. WPM Pathology Laboratory, and Salina Regional Health Center, Inc.
- Case number: SA-2025-CV-000218
- Court: District Court of Saline County, Kansas
- Administrator: Settlement Administrator
- Official Settlement Website: https://www.wpmpldatabreach.com/
Sources
Claim form, FAQ, deadlines, administrator information
Court-approved notice describing eligibility and benefits