What Happened with the University of Rochester Medical Center Data Incident? 

Weitz & Luxenberg is suing the Rochester Medical Center. Our Rochester University lawsuit claims the Medical Center:

  • Invaded patient privacy.
  • Breached their contract by sharing your confidential information with a third party.
  • Breached their implied contract.
  • Secured for themselves unjust financial enrichment.

The University of Rochester Medical Center made use of the Facebook Tracking Pixel on its web properties. This means that every time a patient clicked, made a keystroke, or otherwise shared medical information, that information was “unlawfully disclosed to Facebook.”

Thousands of patients are now facing massive data privacy issues. 

What Defines a Class Action Lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit “is a procedural device that permits one or more plaintiffs to file and prosecute a lawsuit on behalf of a larger group.” The class action lawsuit against the University of Rochester Medical Center allows the court “to manage lawsuits that would otherwise be unmanageable if each class member (individuals who have suffered the same wrong at the hands of the defendant) were required to be joined in the lawsuit as a named plaintiff.” (1)

What Is the Difference Between a Lawsuit and a Class Action lawsuit?

You can file a lawsuit individually, only for yourself. But when lots of people have been harmed in the same way, it makes sense to oversee all the cases at one time. The individuals join together as a group into one lawsuit. That lawsuit is a class action lawsuit.

The potential harms of what the University of Rochester Medical Center did are far-reaching for you. Absolutely any personal, intimate, or confidential medical information you provided on the Medical Center web pages is now in the hands of people you did not agree to share your information with.

Facebook helps advertisers target you with specific products, drugs, or services based on what they now know about you. Whether or not you’re pregnant, and whether or not you have an illness — such as diabetes or cancer or arthritis.

Potential employers may discriminate against you based on knowing this information. Insurance companies may increase your premiums.

If your personal medical information was compromised, contact us today for a free case evaluation

Get a Free Case Review

What to Do If You’re at Risk? 

If your personal information has been compromised in any way, you need to contact your insurance company and any health care providers you use. You should also contact your state’s government offices that oversee medical care.

You may be able to file a lawsuit and join our class action. Talking with a lawyer — such as someone at Weitz & Luxenberg who has experience with data privacy issues — can help you realize if you qualify to start or join a legal case. 

How Do I Start a Class Action Lawsuit?

The best way to join a class action lawsuit is to share your story with a law firm that handles these kinds of suits. This is one of the types of lawsuits W&L has a lot of experience — and success — with litigating.

In the case of class actions, you are one of many plaintiffs. Sometimes you are the person bringing the potential suit to the attention of the law firm. In other cases, like this one, you can join a class action that has already been filed. 

Businesses can also bring lawsuits against other businesses. For example, Open AI and Microsoft are being sued in federal court for breaking privacy laws. (2)

Another company filed a lawsuit against Zoom. It claims Zoom invaded the privacy of millions by sharing personal data with Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn. (3)

If your or a loved one’s personal medical information was compromised, contact us today to understand your legal rights

Get a Free Case Review

The Litigation Process

If the University of Rochester Medical Center passed along your confidential information to a third party without your permission or knowledge, you should join our class action lawsuit. 

We intend to hold the University of Rochester’s Medical Center accountable. You may be able to receive:

  • Justice for URMC’s wrongful conduct. 
  • Assurance that URMC will use appropriate methods to keep your confidential information private and secure.
  • Compensation for the money URMC wrongfully retained.
  • An award for punitive and other damages.

Case Update

On March 19, 2024, the Court denied a motion to dismiss the case, allowing plaintiffs to move forward with discovery.

W&L Is Helping Victims of Medical Data Violations

The University of Rochester Medical Center violated your trust. URMC collected your intimate medical information and passed this along without your consent or knowledge.

As a national plaintiffs’ law firm, we are fully prepared to take on this class action lawsuit. Our attorneys go through every hoop necessary to secure justice for you and other victims of this violation. 

W&L lawyers have the resources to go up against offending corporations — no matter their size or pocketbook. 

Feel welcome to contact us for more information by calling (833) 977-3437 or filling out the available form.