Watson Clinic Data Breach: Patients May Claim up to $75,000 Following Dark Web Exposure
Post Summary
A significant data breach at Watson Clinic LLC has led to a proposed $10 million settlement, giving affected patients the opportunity to claim compensation of up to $75,000. The breach, which was discovered in February 2024, involved sensitive personal and medical information being accessed by an unauthorized third party and published on the dark web.
Settlement Details and Eligibility
The settlement offer is open to current and former patients of Watson Clinic whose data was compromised in the 2024 breach. The exposed information includes names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account details, medical record numbers, and even pre- and post-operative images.
According to Watson Clinic’s website, the organization employs over 1,600 staff members, including more than 350 physicians and providers across 19 locations, welcoming over a million outpatient visits annually.
To determine if you are eligible to file a claim, you can contact Kroll Settlement Administration at (833) 630-5410.
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Important Deadlines
Affected individuals must adhere to the following deadlines:
- Submit a claim form: By Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Opt-out of the settlement: By Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- Object to the settlement: By Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Payout Categories and Compensation
The amount of compensation patients can claim depends on the type of data or images exposed in the breach. Payments range from $100 to $75,000, based on the sensitivity of the content:
- Full face and exposed sensitive areas (ESA): $75,000
- Partial face and ESA: $40,000
- No face and ESA: $10,000
- Full face and partial clothing of sensitive areas: $10,000
- Partial face and partial clothing of sensitive areas: $7,500
- No face and partial clothing of sensitive areas: $5,000
- Non-sensitive data exposure: $100
Additionally, impacted individuals may be eligible for reimbursements of up to $500 for out-of-pocket losses, $6,500 for extraordinary losses, and a residual cash payment of $50 on a claims-made basis.
How to File a Claim
Watson Clinic has established a website dedicated to the settlement process. Claimants can visit the site and click "Submit Claim" to initiate the process. A Class Member ID, provided in letters sent to affected individuals, will be required. Once a claim is submitted, the claimant forfeits the right to sue Watson Clinic LLC regarding this breach.
For additional guidance, claimants can contact Kroll Settlement Administration at (833) 890-4930.
Approval and Payment Timeline
The settlement must be approved by a judge during a hearing scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026. However, payments may face delays due to possible appeals or other court processes. There is currently no set timeline for when payments will be distributed.
Settlement Purpose and Watson Clinic’s Position
The settlement agreement, which was drafted on July 17, 2025, aims to resolve the issue without incurring the costs and risks of a trial. According to the settlement website, the agreement provides benefits to impacted patients while avoiding extended litigation.
Watson Clinic denies any liability or wrongdoing in connection to the breach.
Affected individuals are encouraged to review the settlement terms carefully and file claims before the February 5, 2026 deadline. The resolution of this case will mark a significant step toward addressing the fallout from the 2024 data security incident.
