Frequently Asked Questions

A Settlement Class Notice had been sent to you because you may be a Settlement Class Member in the United States whose Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) and/or Protected Health Information was allegedly impacted in the cybersecurity incident reported by American Medical Collection Agency (“AMCA”) as affecting its computer systems between approximately August 1, 2018 through March 30, 2019 (“Security Incident”).

  
The Court in charge of the case is the U.S. District Court for New Jersey, and the lawsuit is known as In re: American Medical Collection Agency, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation (All Actions Against Sonic Healthcare U.S.A., Aurora Diagnostics LLC, Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc., and Austin Pathology Associates): Civil Action No. 19-md-2904.

 
The Court authorized the Notice and this Settlement Website because you are entitled to know about your rights under a proposed class action settlement with Sonic Healthcare U.S.A., Aurora Diagnostics LLC, Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc. (“CPL”), and Austin Pathology Associates (“Austin Path”) (collectively, “Defendants”) before the Court decides whether to approve the settlement.  If the Court approves the settlement, and after objections and appeals are resolved, a Settlement Administrator appointed by the Court will make the cash payments and distribute access codes for monitoring services that the Settlement provides.
 

The Settlement Class Notice package and this Settlement Website explains the lawsuit, the settlement, your rights, what benefits are available, who is eligible for them, and how to get them. 

Read this Settlement Website to understand the settlement and to determine if you are a Settlement Class Member. Then, decide if you want to:

• Submit a Claim (Deadline: January 4, 2027):
  The only way to receive benefits from this settlement is by submitting a valid and timely Claim Form. The fastest way to do so is online using the "Submit a Claim" button on this Settlement Website.

• Opt Out of the Settlement (Deadline: December 3, 2026):
  You may choose to exclude yourself from the settlement and receive no benefits. This is the only option that allows you to potentially pursue or participate in another lawsuit against Defendants and other Released Parties related to the claims in this litigation, subject to any applicable defenses, including statutes of limitations. You may retain your own legal counsel at your own expense.

• Object to the Settlement and/or Attend a Hearing (Deadline: December 3, 2026):
  If you do not opt out, you may object to the settlement by writing to the Court explaining your concerns. You may also object to Class Counsel’s request for attorneys’ fees and expenses and may request permission to speak at the Final Fairness Hearing.

• Do Nothing (No Deadline):
  If you take no action, you will remain part of the settlement but will not receive any benefits. You will also waive your right to sue or continue to pursue claims against Defendants related to the legal claims resolved by this settlement.

The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the settlement.

Read on to understand the specifics of the settlement and what each choice would mean for you. 

Your deadline to object or opt out: December 3, 2026

Date of the Final Fairness Hearing: January 7, 2027

Your deadline to submit a Claim Form: January 4, 2027

This class action lawsuit concerns the AMCA Security Incident, which may have impacted your personal information. Defendants deny all claims alleged against them and deny all charges of wrongdoing or liability. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or an indication that Defendants have violated any laws, but rather the resolution of disputed claims.

In a class action, one or more individuals sue on behalf of other people with similar claims. These individuals are known as “Plaintiffs” or “Class Representatives.” Together, the people included in the class action are called a “class” or “class members.” One court resolves the lawsuit for all class members, except for those who opt out of the settlement.

The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or Defendants. Plaintiffs and Defendants have agreed to a settlement to avoid the costs and risks of a trial, and to allow the Settlement Class Members to receive benefits from the settlement. Plaintiffs and their attorneys think the settlement is best for all Settlement Class Members.

You have four options. You can stay in the settlement and submit a claim, you can opt out of the settlement, you can object to the settlement, or you can do nothing. This chart shows the effects of each option:

The Settlement Class is defined as: 

(a)    Those individuals to whom CPL, or AMCA on behalf of CPL, sent notice that their information was involved or may have been involved in the Security Incident affecting AMCA. 
(b)    Those individuals to whom Austin Path, or AMCA on behalf of Austin Path, sent notice that their information was involved or may have been involved in the Security Incident affecting AMCA.

Yes. Excluded from the Settlement Class are: (i) Defendants and their officers and directors; (ii) the Judge and/or Magistrate assigned to evaluate the fairness of this settlement; and (iii) any other Person found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be guilty under criminal law of initiating, causing, aiding, or abetting the Security Incident or who pleads nolo contendere to any such charge. 

If you are not sure whether you are included in the Settlement Class, you can ask for free help by contacting the Settlement Administrator by mail, email, or by calling toll-free.

AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY, INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION SONIC HEALTHCARE U.S.A., AURORA DIAGNOSTICS LLC, CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES, INC., AND AUSTIN PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES SETTLEMENT
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324
(833) 453-3715

You may also view the Settlement Agreement on the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website.

The settlement provides for the creation of a $6,438,578.20 Settlement Fund to pay for: (i) Out-of-Pocket Losses, (ii) Monitoring Services, (iii) Alternative Cash Payments, (iv) Notice and Administrative Costs, (v) Taxes, (vi) Service Awards, and (vii) Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses. This Settlement Website and the Settlement Agreement available on the Important Documents page provide a full description of these benefits.

Two types of claims may be made: (1) Out-of-Pocket Losses from verifiable, documented unreimbursed costs or expenditures that Settlement Class Member actually incurred and that are fairly and reasonably traceable to the AMCA Security Incident up to $5,000; or (2) Alternative Cash Payment which provides for a $50 per Settlement Class Member payment, both subject to pro rata increases or decreases dependent on the number of claims filed. 

A Settlement Class Member may also elect to receive two (2) years of CyEx Medical Shield Pro medical and healthcare information monitoring services.

Compensation for Out-of-Pocket Losses. Participating Settlement Class Members can claim up to a total of $5,000 per person for out-of-pocket losses incurred as a result of the Security Incident, including, without limitation, the following:  (i) unreimbursed costs, expenses, losses or charges incurred a result of identity theft or identity fraud, medical fraud, or other alleged misuse of Settlement Class Members’ personal information; (ii) professional service costs—such as law firms or credit repair services—related to misuse of Settlement Class Members’ personal information; (iii) miscellaneous expenses incurred related to any Out-Of-Pocket Loss such as notary, fax, postage, copying, mileage, and long-distance telephone charges; (iv) credit monitoring costs that were incurred on or after August 1, 2018, through the date of the Claims Deadline; (v) up to 10 total hours for verified and documented time spent remedying fraud, identity theft, or other similar misuse of a Settlement Class Member’s Personal Information that is fairly traceable to the AMCA Security Incident at $25 per hour. Out-of-Pocket Losses are subject to increases or decreases pro rata depending upon the number of claims filed.

Settlement Class Members submitting claims for Out-of-Pocket Losses must submit documentation and an attestation supporting their claims. This can include receipts or other documentation that document the costs incurred but does not include documentation that is “self-prepared” by the claimant. “Self-prepared” documents such as handwritten receipts are, by themselves, insufficient to receive reimbursement, but can be considered to add clarity or support to other submitted documentation. The attestation must state that the monetary losses are fairly traceable to the Security Incident and were not incurred due to some other event or reason.

Alternative Cash Payment. In lieu of seeking Out-of-Pocket Losses, Settlement Class Members may submit a claim for an Alternative Cash Payment estimated to be $50 per valid claimant. After payment of Notice and Administration Expenses, Service Awards, and Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, Out-of-Pocket Losses, and Taxes from the Settlement Fund, the remaining amount of the Net Settlement Fund will be evenly distributed to each Settlement Class Member who submits a timely and Valid Claim for an Alternative Cash Payment. 

Monitoring Services. During the Claims Period, Settlement Class Members may also claim and enroll in up to two (2) years of medical and healthcare information Monitoring Services provided by CyEx through its Medical Shield Pro product.

Unless you opt out of the settlement, you cannot sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Defendants arising out of or relating to the AMCA Security Incident. The “Releases” section of the Settlement Agreement describes the legal claims that you give up if you remain in the Settlement Class. The Settlement Agreement is available for review on the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website.

The fastest way to submit your Claim Form is online using the “Submit a Claim” button on this Settlement Website. If you prefer, you can download the Claim Form from the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website and mail it to the Settlement Administrator at:

AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY, INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION SONIC HEALTHCARE U.S.A., AURORA DIAGNOSTICS LLC, CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES, INC., AND AUSTIN PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES SETTLEMENT
Attn: Claims
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324

You may also contact the Settlement Administrator to request a Claim Form by calling toll-free (833) 453-3715 or contact us by clicking here or by writing to the address above.

If you are submitting a Claim Form online, you must do so by January 4, 2027. If you are submitting a claim by U.S. mail, the completed and signed Claim Form, along with any supporting documentation, must be mailed so it is postmarked no later than January 4, 2027.

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on January 7, 2027. If the Court approves the settlement, there may be appeals. It is always uncertain whether appeals will be filed and, if so, how long it will take to resolve them.

Settlement benefits will be distributed if the Court grants final approval of the settlement and after any appeals are resolved, or after the period to seek an appeal has expired.

Yes, the Court appointed James E. Cecchi of Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Brody & Agnello, P.C.; Joseph J. DePalma of Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador, LLC; and Justin J. Hawal of DiCello Levitt LLP to represent you and other Settlement Class Members as Settlement Class Counsel. 

James E. Cecchi 
CARELLA, BYRNE, CECCHI, BRODY & AGNELLO, P.C.
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068

Joseph J. DePalma
LITE DEPALMA GREENBERG & AFANADOR, LLC
570 Broad St.
Suite 1201
Newark, NJ 07102

Justin J. Hawal
DICELLO LEVITT LLP
8160 Norton Parkway
Third Floor
Mentor, OH 44060

You will not be charged for Settlement Class Counsel’s services. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

Settlement Class Counsel will file a Fee Application for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses to be paid from the Settlement Fund of up to 34% of the Settlement Fund. As part of the Fee Application, Settlement Class Counsel will also seek Service Awards of $5,000 for each Class Representative to be paid from the Settlement Fund. 

Class Counsel’s Fee Application will be available on the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website after it is filed with the Court.

If you do not want to receive any benefits from the settlement, and you want to keep your right, if any, to separately sue Defendants about the legal issues in this case (subject to any defenses Defendants may have to such a suit, including the statutes of limitations), there are steps that you must take to exclude yourself from the Settlement Class. This is called requesting an exclusion from, or “opting out” of, the Settlement Class. The deadline to submit a request for exclusion from the settlement is December 3, 2026.

To exclude yourself from the settlement, you must submit a written request for exclusion that includes the following information: 

(i)    The name of the proceedings: In re: American Medical Collection Agency, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation (All Actions Against Sonic Healthcare U.S.A., Aurora Diagnostics LLC, Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc., and Austin Pathology Associates), Civil Action No. 19-md-2904, pending in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey;
(ii)     Your full name;
(iii)    Your current mailing address and telephone number;
(iv)    Your personal signature; and 
(v)     the words “Request for Exclusion” or a comparable statement that You do not wish to participate in the settlement, or some other clear manifestation of the intent to opt out of the settlement.

Your request for exclusion must be mailed to the Settlement Administrator at the address below, postmarked no later than December 3, 2026.
 

AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY, INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION SONIC HEALTHCARE U.S.A., AURORA DIAGNOSTICS LLC, CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES, INC., AND AUSTIN PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES SETTLEMENT
ATTN: Exclusion Request
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324

If you exclude yourself, you are telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the settlement. You will not be eligible to receive any settlement benefits if you exclude yourself.
 

You may only exclude yourself—not any other person. Any Settlement Class Member who does not file a timely request for exclusion in accordance with this section will lose the opportunity to exclude himself or herself from the settlement and will be bound by the settlement.

If you are a Settlement Class Member and you do not like the settlement, you can object to it, if you choose. You can give reasons why you think the Court should not approve it. The Court will consider your views.

 
For an objection to be a valid objection under the settlement, it must include or substantially comply with the following: (i) Your full name, address, telephone number, and email address; (ii) the case name and docket number: In re: American Medical Collection Agency, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation (All Actions Against Sonic Healthcare U.S.A., Aurora Diagnostics LLC, Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc., and Austin Pathology Associates), No. 19-md-2904 (JKS) (MAH) (D.N.J.); (iii) information identifying You as a Settlement Class Member, including proof that You are a member of the Settlement Class, such as the class member identification number on the Short Form or email notice you receive about the settlement; (iv) a written statement of all grounds for the objection, including whether the objection applies only to You, to a subset of the Settlement Class, or to the entire Settlement Class, accompanied by any legal support for the objection You believe applicable; (v) the identity of any and all counsel representing You in connection with the objection; (vi) the identity of all class action cases in which You or Your counsel has objected; (vii) a statement whether You and/or Your counsel will appear at the Final Fairness Hearing; and (viii) Your personal signature on the written objection. The Court, in its discretion, may authorize additional discovery of objectors.

You or Your counsel may also file their objection with the Court through the Court’s ECF system, with service on Plaintiffs’ Counsel and Defendant’s Counsel, to be made through the ECF system.

To be timely, the objection must be mailed to Settlement Administrator, so it is postmarked no later than December 3, 2026. 

AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY, INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION SONIC HEALTHCARE U.S.A., AURORA DIAGNOSTICS LLC, CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES, INC., AND AUSTIN PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES SETTLEMENT
ATTN: Objection
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324

Objecting is telling the Court that you do not like something about the settlement. You can object to the settlement only if you do not exclude yourself from the settlement. Excluding yourself from the settlement is opting out and stating to the Court that you do not want to be part of the settlement. If you opt out of the settlement, you cannot object to it because the settlement no longer affects you.

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on January 7, 2027 at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, at the Frank R. Lautenberg U.S.P.O. & Courthouse, 2 Federal Square, Newark, NJ 07102, in Courtroom PO 03.

At the Final Fairness Hearing, the Court will consider whether to approve the settlement, Settlement Class Counsel’s Fee Application, and application for Service Awards. The Court will also consider any objections to the settlement that were submitted in accordance with the requirements outlined above.

 
If you are a Settlement Class Member, you or your attorney may ask permission to speak at the hearing at your own cost (see Question 19). 
 

The date and time of this hearing may change without further notice. Please check the Sonic Main page of this Settlement Website for updates.

No. Settlement Class Counsel will answer any questions the Court may have. You may attend at your own expense if you wish. If you file an objection, you do not have to come to the Final Fairness Hearing to talk about it. If you file your written objection on time, the Court will consider it. You may also pay your own lawyer to attend, but such attendance is not necessary.

If you are a Settlement Class Member and do nothing, you will remain a part of the Settlement Class but will not get any payments or monitoring services from the settlement.  And, unless you exclude yourself, you will not be able to sue Defendants about claims arising out of or related to the AMCA Security Incident being resolved through this settlement ever again, assuming such claims are not time-barred.

This Settlement Website summarizes the proposed settlement. Complete details are provided in the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement and other related documents are available on the Important Documents page of this Settlement Website.
If you have additional questions or need to update your address, you may contact the Settlement Administrator by mail, email, or by calling toll-free.

AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY, INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION SONIC HEALTHCARE U.S.A., AURORA DIAGNOSTICS LLC, CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES, INC., AND AUSTIN PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES SETTLEMENT
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC 
PO Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324
(833) 453-3715

Publicly filed documents can also be obtained by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court,

 
United States District Court, District of New Jersey
Martin Luther King Federal Court House
50 Walnut Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
 

DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR CLERK OF COURT REGARDING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT.