Thousands of Americans may be eligible to receive up to $90 without providing proof as part of a $3.5 million settlement involving Virginia Mason Medical Center. The Seattle-based hospital has agreed to pay the settlement after being accused of sharing patient data with third parties without consent.
According to the lawsuit, Google and Facebook were among the companies that allegedly received patient portal data in violation of Washington state law. Now, affected individuals can submit a claim to receive compensation, with payout amounts depending on their portal usage.
Who Can File a Claim?
The settlement applies to individuals who accessed the MyVirginiaMason patient portal between October 10, 2015, and May 18, 2023. Eligible claimants can receive:
- Up to $90 for those who logged into the patient portal.
- Up to $45 for those who only visited the hospital’s public website (www.virginiamason.org).
If the total claims exceed the $3.5 million settlement fund, Virginia Mason Medical Center has agreed to contribute up to an additional $3.25 million. However, payouts may be adjusted based on the number of claims filed.
Additional Hospital Commitments
Beyond the financial compensation, Virginia Mason Medical Center has pledged to enhance data security and transparency. The hospital will establish a Web Governance Committee to monitor the use of analytical tracking technologies on its website. Additionally, for two years, the hospital will be restricted from using certain tracking tools unless explicitly approved under federal regulations.
Key Deadlines for Filing a Claim
Eligible individuals must submit a claim by April 28, 2025. Those who wish to opt out of the settlement have until March 28, 2025. The final approval hearing for the case is scheduled for May 23, 2025.
For more information on how to file a claim, visit the official settlement website.