Three law firms are investigating the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Phoenix-based Banner Health over the data breach that affected 3.7 million individuals earlier this month, according to the Greeley Tribune.
New York City-based Weitz and Luxenberg, Seattle-based Kelelr Rohrback and Phoenix-based Gallagher & Kennedy are considering class-action lawsuits against the health system, alleging negligence following the breach.
An Arizona law firm has already filed a class-action lawsuit against Banner in MaricopaCounty on behalf of a Glendale, Ariz., physician whose information may have been affected by the breach.
Robert Carey, a partner at the Hagens Berman law firm in Ariz. said healthcare leaders should be at the forefront of the fight to keep patient information secure.
“Health care people should be on the front edge of how to protect systems in leading the charge, and the lawsuit will help incentivize” an improvement in security, said Mr. Carey. “There has to be a great enough cost on the back end to motivate people to do the right thing on the front end.”
An attorney at Weitz and Luxenberg also said the lawsuits ensure that the situation is remedied in a timely fashion, according to the report.
Banner officials said they cannot comment on potential litigation, according to the report.