If you received a breach notice from Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, you can claim up to $5,000, two years of medical monitoring, or an estimated $60 in cash before the July 6, 2026 deadline.
What Is This Settlement About?
Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, P.C. (AOA), a Birmingham-area eye care practice, has agreed to an $850,000 settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over a January 2025 data breach. The case is In re Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, P.C., Data Breach Litigation, pending in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama.According to the lawsuit, an unauthorized party accessed the AOA network in January 2025 and may have obtained patients' and employees' personal information. The complaint alleges AOA failed to adequately protect that information. AOA denies the allegations and any wrongdoing, and no court has found that the practice did anything wrong. The two sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation.
What Happened?
AOA identified suspicious activity on its network on January 30, 2025. A forensic investigation determined that an unauthorized actor had access to its systems between roughly January 22 and January 30, 2025, and that files potentially containing personal information could have been accessed during that period.AOA later began notifying affected individuals; reporting indicates that approximately 153,575 people were sent notices. The information involved varied by person and may have included names along with other personal or health-related details maintained by a medical provider. If you received a notice letter from AOA about this incident, your information was among the data the practice identified as potentially affected.
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Who Qualifies?
The settlement class includes United States residents who were notified by AOA that their personal information may have been impacted by the January 2025 data security incident. In practical terms, if AOA mailed or emailed you a breach notice about this incident, you are a class member and may file a claim.You will need the unique ID and PIN printed on your notice to log in to the claim portal, so keep that notice handy. If you believe you were affected but cannot locate your ID or PIN, you can request help through the official settlement website's contact page.
How Much Can You Get?
The settlement offers class members a choice between two cash options, plus monitoring that everyone can claim.Out-of-pocket loss reimbursement. You can claim up to $5,000 for documented, unreimbursed losses fairly traceable to the breach. This can include losses from identity theft or fraud, the cost of credit monitoring or a credit freeze you purchased, bank or other fees, postage, and similar related expenses. You must provide supporting documents showing the loss and the date it occurred.
Alternative cash payment (estimated ~$60). Instead of the out-of-pocket reimbursement, you can choose a pro rata cash payment estimated at about $60. No documentation is required for this option. Because it is paid pro rata from the settlement fund, the actual amount may be higher or lower depending on how many valid claims are filed.
Two years of medical monitoring. Every class member can also claim two years of CyEx Medical Shield Complete, which provides medical data monitoring and identity theft protection. No documentation is required to select this benefit.
Is Proof Required?
Yes. Filing online requires you to log in to the claim portal using the unique ID and PIN printed on the notice AOA sent you, so the page is marked proof required. A claimant who never received a notice, or who discarded it, cannot file online without first requesting that information from the administrator through the official settlement website.Beyond the ID and PIN, the documentation needed depends on which option you choose. The estimated $60 alternative cash payment and the two years of monitoring require no supporting documents. The up to $5,000 out-of-pocket reimbursement does require documentation — receipts, bank or credit card statements, or similar records showing the loss and that it was tied to the breach.
Important Dates
• Unauthorized access window: on or about January 22, 2025 – January 30, 2025
• Opt-Out (Exclusion) Deadline: June 5, 2026 (passed)
• Objection Deadline: June 5, 2026 (passed)
• Final Approval Hearing: June 25, 2026
• Claim Deadline: July 6, 2026 (online or mailed)
The opt-out and objection deadlines have already passed. If you are a class member, the remaining option that provides a benefit is to file a claim by July 6, 2026. The hearing date can change, so check the official settlement website for updates.
Attorneys' Fees and Service Awards
Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve attorneys' fees, reimbursement of litigation costs, and service awards for the class representatives. These amounts come out of the $850,000 settlement fund and are subject to Court approval. The exact figures are set out in the settlement documents available on the official settlement website.How to File a Claim
File your claim online or by mail through the official settlement website, AOASettlement.com. You will need the unique ID and PIN from your notice to log in to the online claim form. Choose the up to $5,000 out-of-pocket reimbursement or the estimated $60 alternative cash payment, add the two years of monitoring if you want it, and upload supporting documents if you are claiming documented losses. The deadline is July 6, 2026.File a Claim
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Alabama Ophthalmology Associates settlement?
The settlement covers United States residents who were sent a notice that their personal information may have been affected by the January 2025 Alabama Ophthalmology Associates (AOA) data security incident. If you received a breach notice from AOA, you are a class member.
How much can I get from the AOA data breach settlement?
You can claim up to $5,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses, or instead choose an alternative pro rata cash payment estimated at about $60 that requires no documentation. Every class member can also claim two years of CyEx Medical Shield Complete monitoring. The cash amount may rise or fall depending on how many valid claims are filed against the $850,000 fund.
Is proof required to file a claim?
Yes. To file online, you must log in using the unique ID and PIN printed on your AOA notice. No documentation is required for the estimated $60 alternative cash payment or the two years of monitoring, but the up to $5,000 reimbursement requires documents such as receipts, bank statements, or credit card records showing the loss and its date.
What is the deadline to file an Alabama Ophthalmology settlement claim?
The claim deadline is July 6, 2026. Claims can be filed online or by mail through the official settlement website, AOASettlement.com.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you do nothing, you will not receive a payment or monitoring, and you will give up your right to sue Alabama Ophthalmology Associates over this data breach. The only way to receive a benefit is to file a claim by July 6, 2026.
Sources
• Official Settlement Website: AOASettlement.com• In re Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, P.C., Data Breach Litigation, Case No. 01-cv-2025-901488.00, Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama
OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.
