Despite reporting a data breach last fall impacting nearly 830,000 patients, global retailer Luxottica filed a motion in March, asking the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio dismiss a class action lawsuit.
The Italy-based company, which manufactures and sells eyewear brands such as Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision and LensCrafters, argues plaintiffs in the lawsuit lack the legal standing to file claims since no harm has been identified.
The company waited two months to announce the hack
The eyewear giant’s web-based patient appointment scheduling app was reportedly targeted in a ransomware attack last summer. Hackers gained access to patients’ personal information, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Health insurance info
- Medical histories and conditions
Luxottica was aware of the breach on Aug. 9, 2020, but failed to inform its customers until Oct. 28.
Litigation arises over Luxottica’s failure to protect patient data
A multistate class-action lawsuit was filed over the company’s inability to safeguard the plaintiffs’ personal and medical information. Judge Michael Barrett appointed attorney Jeffrey Goldenberg of Goldenberg Schneider in January to serve as co-interim liaison counsel.
Plaintiffs argue that health care providers possessing vital personal information must exercise reasonable care in protecting that data. The class action states Luxottica failed to meet those standards despite increased vulnerabilities for patients.
If you were affected by this data breach or received a notification from Luxottica that your information may have been compromised and want to know more about your legal rights, contact the attorneys at Goldenberg Schneider, LPA.