LifeBridge Health (“LifeBridge”), a prominent healthcare network serving the Baltimore area and surrounding communities, has reported a data breach involving unauthorized access to a small number of employee email accounts. The breach has raised concerns about potential misuse of personal information, and individuals associated with LifeBridge Health are urged to stay vigilant for any suspicious activity.
To protect yourself, you should regularly monitor financial accounts, update passwords, and be cautious of phishing attempts. For further guidance on safeguarding your information after a breach, visit this resource on responding to a data breach and learn the necessary steps to secure your data.
Details of the LifeBridge Health 2024 Data Breach
Between August 27 and September 21, 2024, LifeBridge Health identified that an unauthorized third party had accessed a limited number of employee email accounts. Following a thorough investigation, the health system determined that personal and sensitive information had been compromised.
On January 10, 2025, LifeBridge began notifying affected patients and is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services. Patients are urged to carefully review statements from healthcare providers or insurers for any suspicious charges and promptly report any discrepancies.
Previous Class Action Lawsuit at LifeBridge Health
This incident follows a significant data breach from several years ago. In March 2018, LifeBridge discovered that malware had infiltrated one of its servers, which hosted sensitive patient data, including medical records and billing systems. The malware had been active since September 27, 2016, remaining undetected for 18 months. This breach compromised the personal information of approximately 530,000 patients, including names, Social Security numbers, health insurance details, and diagnoses.
LifeBridge Health was subsequently sued for allegedly failing to implement adequate security measures. The lawsuit accused the organization of violating several privacy protection laws in Maryland, including the Maryland Personal Information Protection Act and the Maryland Social Security Number Privacy Act.
What Data Was Compromised in the 2024 Breach?
The compromised data may include personal details such as patient names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical record numbers, and limited treatment information. However, no electronic health records were affected in this breach.
How to Determine if You Were Impacted
If you received a notification from LifeBridge regarding the data breach, your personal information may have been compromised. Although breach notices are typically sent by mail, individuals may experience the effects of the breach earlier, including fraudulent financial transactions or identity theft.
Steps to Take If You Were Affected by the LifeBridge Health Data Breach
Monitor Your Accounts and Credit Reports Regularly
Closely track all of your financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual activity. Set up alerts to notify you of any suspicious transactions or changes. Review your financial statements carefully to identify any unauthorized charges or accounts. Be proactive in requesting free credit reports and thoroughly check them for discrepancies or unfamiliar entries
Consider Freezing Your Credit
Contact all three major credit bureaus to request a credit freeze, which will prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Keep in mind that this will not affect your existing credit accounts but will provide an added layer of security. If you need to apply for credit, remember to temporarily lift the freeze.
Stay Alert for Phishing Attempts
Be cautious of unexpected emails, messages, or phone calls claiming to be from LifeBridge. Fraudsters may try to use information from the breach to impersonate the organization. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Always verify communications directly through official channels before taking any action.
Class Action U, in partnership with KO Lawyers, is supporting individuals impacted by the LifeBridge data breach. If your information was exposed in this breach, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit.
How LifeBridge Health Class Action Lawsuits Can Benefit Victims
Class action lawsuits provide a way for individuals affected by large-scale data breaches, like the LifeBridge incident, to seek compensation collectively. This approach is often more efficient and cost-effective than filing individual claims. You may be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Loss of privacy
- Time spent addressing the breach
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emotional distress
A successful lawsuit could also compel LifeBridge to improve its data security measures and prevent future breaches. To find out if you qualify for a class action lawsuit and the potential compensation available to you, contact Class Action U today.
