Megan Jackson, et al. v. Suffolk University
Case No. 1:23-cv-10019
If you were notified by Suffolk University (“Suffolk”) that your personally identifiable information was potentially compromised in a cyberattack by unknown third-parties against Suffolk on or about June 25, 2022 (the “Incident”), you may be eligible to receive credit-monitoring services, reimbursement for losses, and/or monetary compensation.
A proposed Settlement has been reached in the class-action lawsuit Megan Jackson, et al. v. Suffolk University, Case No. 1:23-cv-10019 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
What is this Lawsuit about?
The case concerns a data-security attack against the defendant, Suffolk University (“Suffolk”), which occurred on or about June 25, 2022 (the “Incident”). The Lawsuit is a proposed class-action lawsuit against Suffolk brought on behalf of all persons whose personally identifiable information was potentially compromised as a result of the Incident and who were sent written notice of the Incident by Suffolk.
Who is in the Settlement Class?
The Settlement Class includes all U.S. residents whose PII was impacted by the Incident, which was announced on or about November 30, 2022.
What are the Settlement Benefits?
Identity Protection and Credit Monitoring Services
If you submitted a claim for two years of credit monitoring service free of charge, you can enroll in Identity Defense Complete on July 26, 2024. To enroll in Identity Defense Complete, visit app.identitydefense.com/enrollment/activate/suff, and enter your activation code.
The deadline to enroll is October 24, 2024. If you did not receive your activation code, contact the Settlement Administrator at SuffolkDataSettlement@rg2claims.com or at 1-866-742-4955.
Compensation for Unreimbursed Ordinary Expenses, Extraordinary Losses and Lost Time
The Settlement also provides compensation for unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, up to a total of $500 per member of the Settlement Class. The Settlement further provides compensation for unreimbursed extraordinary losses, up to a total of $5,000 per member of the Settlement Class. Additionally, the Settlement provides for compensation for up to 3 hours of attested lost time at a rate of $25 per hour for time spent dealing with the Incident.
Alternative Cash Payment
As an alternative to claiming compensation for ordinary expenses, extraordinary losses, and lost time as described above, Settlement Class Members who submit a valid and timely claim may elect to receive a one-time payment of up to $40 without the need to document losses or attest to time spent as a result of the Incident. All monetary payments described above are subject to potential proration, depending on the number and amount of claims received.
New Practices
Suffolk has implemented improvements, and plans for future implementations, to improve its cybersecurity since the Incident.
If you are a member of the Settlement Class, you have the following options:
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT
| YOU MAY | DUE DATE | |
| SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM | You must submit a valid claim form to receive credit-monitoring services from the Settlement and reimbursement for unreimbursed expenses and losses. |
JUNE 6, 2024 |
| DO NOTHING | You will receive no benefits from the Settlement and will no longer be able to sue the Released Parties, including Suffolk over the claims resolved in the Settlement. | N/A |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT | You will receive no benefits from the Settlement, but you will retain your legal claims against the Released Parties. |
APRIL 8, 2024 |
| OBJECT | Write to the Court about why you do not like the Settlement. You must remain in the Settlement Class to object to the Settlement. |
APRIL 8, 2024 |
No payments or other settlement benefits will be issued until after the Court gives final approval to the Settlement and any appeals are resolved.
To understand all your options and how your rights will be affected, as well as the deadlines for action on your part, please read all of the Long Form Notice.
How, when and where will the Court decide whether to approve the Settlement?
The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing to decide whether to approve the Settlement. That hearing is scheduled for June 18, 2024, at 2:00 P.M., at 1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02210, in Courtroom 11, 5th Floor. At the Final Approval Hearing, the Court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are timely objections, the Court will consider them and will listen to people who have properly requested to speak at the hearing. The Court may also consider Plaintiffs’ request for attorneys’ fees and costs, and Plaintiffs’ request for service awards for the Representative Plaintiffs. After the hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement.