Providence Agrees to $100,000 Fine for Portland Data Loss
This one slipped under my radar. Only the heads up from a colleague alerted me that Providence healthcare system has agreed to a fine for HIPPA violations arising out of the data loss of 2005.
FYI, along with several other lawyers, I represent patients whose unencrypted computerized data was lost when a car burgler stole data from a parked car. The case for money damages is currently pending in the Oregon Court of Appeals. We filed our opening brief on behalf of the patients, and Providence is due to file its response shortly. After they file their response, we’ll have one more brief, and the Court of Appeals will hear oral argument. I doubt very seriously that we’ll get a decision before 2009.
As for the HIPPA fine, $100,000 seems like a lot on its face, except when you realize that hundreds of thousands of patients were affected by the data loss. Providence has now settled with both the State of Oregon and the U.S. government. Even so, they are still fighting damage claims brought by patients who seek compensation for their harms and losses.
In the life of the case on behalf of the patients, this is a non-event. We will continue forward.
David Sugerman
Tags: class action, HIPPA violation fine, Portland injury lawyer, Providence Data Loss, sugerman