0 0 News July 9, 2015 – Mintz & Geftic has filed a class action lawsuit against Horizon alleging that Horizon failed to safeguard its customers’ sensitive personal information, including their protected health information as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), Social Security numbers, names, dates of birth, mailing addresses, demographic information, medical records, and health insurance identification numbers (collectively, their “Sensitive Data”). As a healthcare insurance provider, Horizon is required to protect its customers’ Sensitive Data by adopting and implementing the specific data security regulations and standards set forth under HIPAA. Many of these same data security protection practices are mandated by industry-standard data protection protocols. The lawsuit alleged that Horizon promised to protect its customers’ Sensitive Data by adopting and implementing the specific data security regulations mandated by HIPAA and industry standards. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that because Horizon expects and requires its customers to pay for their healthcare insurance services – which includes the protection of their Sensitive Data – a portion of the fees that Horizon charges and collects from its customers is allocated to implementing those data security practices. The Plaintiff in the case alleges that Horizon continued to charge its customers and accept money for these services, even though it did not provide its customers with the entirety of the services they paid for. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Horizon breached its promises (and implied obligations) to its customers by maintaining their Sensitive Data in electronic databases that lacked crucial—and statutorily required—data security measures and protocols. In November 2013, two unencrypted laptop computers containing the Sensitive Data of over 800,000 of Horizon customers were taken from Horizon’s Newark headquarters. The class action claims that by maintaining its customers’ Sensitive Data in electronic databases (i.e., laptop computers) that lacked even basic security measures and industry standard data protections, Horizon broke its promises and contractual obligations with its customers and, thanks to this lax security, jeopardized hundreds of thousands of its customers’ Sensitive Data. A copy of the complaint is available here. If you were a Horizon customer before November 2013 and received a letter from Horizon indicating that your personal information may have been stolen, you should contact Bryan H. Mintz. 0 mg lawfirmmintz & gefticWorkers’ Compensation Related Posts New Jersey County’s Construction Deaths Draw Attention From OSHA As a New Jersey law firm that specializes in work-related injuries, we understand just how dangerous construction sites can be. We have over thirty years of experience representing seriously injured victims of construction accidents throughout New Jersey. While there are several hazards for workers on any job site, the leading cause of construction fatalities has remained the same for decades, that is falls from dangerous heights. Sadly, this statistic has hit home recently in Essex County with two workers losing their lives and others suffering from severe injuries. As reported by Patch , these deaths have gotten the attention of the U.S. Department… 1 0 1 14 Jun 2021 $495,000 settlement in premises liability $495,000 settlement in premises liability case (Essex County, New Jersey 2014). 0 0 0 11 Aug 2015 $100,000 settlement of bus accident $100,000 settlement of bus accident case (Essex County, New Jersey 2013). 0 0 0 Mintz & Geftic Obtains a $1.1 Million Settlement November 17, 2015 – Mintz & Geftic settled a lawsuit for $1.1 million that involved work-related injuries suffered by their client. 0 0 0 17 Nov 2015 $500,000 settlement in a premises liability matter $500,000 settlement in a premises liability matter. (Essex County, New Jersey 2012). 0 0 0 11 Aug 2015 $850,000 settlement, Auto Accident, Injuries included Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome $850,000 settlement, Auto Accident, Injuries included Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that caused early retirement as a Librarian. (Jeffrey E. Strauss, Essex County 2005). 4 0 4 $365,000 settlement of a construction accident $365,000 settlement of a construction accident matter. (Middlesex County, New Jersey 2008). 0 0 0 Valentine’s Day Lawsuits Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, And Valentine’s Day is a Time People Sue Valentine’s Day is a day when many people like to share their love. Whether it’s with a significant other, their children or a good friend, people often exchange warm greetings, card and sometimes gifts. Of course, to a number of husbands and boyfriends out there, the day also represents another mark on the calendar that can ultimately lead to the doghouse if not handled properly. Regardless of how we feel about this “Hallmark Holiday”, as Americans it represents a traditional way for us to contribute to the economy and benefit… 0 0 0 13 Feb 2016 $725,000 Settlement, Truck-Pedestrian Accident $725,000 settlement, Truck-Pedestrian accident, Pedestrian crossing street was hit by a construction truck resulting in loss of smell and orthopedic injuries. (Jeffrey E. Strauss, Union County 2011). 0 0 0 11 Aug 2015 Mintz & Geftic Obtains a $1.475 Million Settlement May 29, 2015 – Mintz & Geftic settled a lawsuit arising out of a Bergen County motor vehicle accident for $1,475,000. Mintz & Geftic’s client suffered an injury to the L5-S1 (lower back) after his car got hit from behind. The injury resulted in two surgeries. The first surgery was a fusion and discectomy, and the second surgery was a fusion with a laminectomy. The case resolved for $1,475,000 in less than two years after it was filed. 0 0 0 03 Aug 2015 Beware of Purposely Making Misleading Statements In the recent Workers’ Compensation decision in Neglia v. Craft Carpentry & Drywall, a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation court held that a petitioner was not entitled to medical and temporary benefits where the Court determined that the petitioner purposely or knowingly made false or misleading statements in claiming compensation benefits. 0 0 0 16 Dec 2014 $400,000 Settlement For Major Injuries in Rear-End Accident $400,000 settlement for major injuries suffered in a rear-end accident on RT 31 in Washington Township, New Jersey . This rear-end accident involved a truck hitting our client from behind. Our client sustained post concusion syndrome, or mild traumatic brain injury, after she was struck by a truck in the accident. She underwent years of cognitive and speech therapy. (Warren County, 2021) 0 0 0 14 Dec 2021 $200,000 settlement of premises liability $200,000 settlement of premises liability case (Bergen County, New Jersey 2013). 0 0 0 11 Aug 2015 Mintz & Geftic Expands with a New York Office June 1, 2015 – Mintz & Geftic have an office located in the Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor, New York, New York 10118. Mintz & Geftic litigates cases in all of the boroughs of New York, and the proximity of the Empire State Building to the various courthouses makes it an ideal location for their New York office. 0 0 0 03 Aug 2015 $825,000 settlement, Construction Site-Defective Tree Truck $825,000 settlement, Construction Site-Defective Tree Truck, outrigger was improperly placed and had insufficient line of sight and warnings to alert workers in the area, crushed forefoot. (Jeffrey E. Strauss, Warren County 2009). 0 0 0 11 Aug 2015 Leave a comment Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.
