$850K Alabama Ophthalmology Associates Data Breach Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim Before July 6, 2026?

Alabama Ophthalmology Associates agreed to pay $850,000 to resolve a class action lawsuit after a January 2025 ransomware attack exposed sensitive patient information. If AOA notified you that your data may have been compromised, you could claim up to $5,000 for documented losses — or an estimated $60 cash payment with no proof required. The claim deadline is July 6, 2026.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$850,000
Claim Deadline	July 6, 2026
Who Qualifies	U.S. residents notified by AOA about the January 2025 data breach
Payout Per Person	Up to $5,000 (with proof) or ~$60 (no proof needed)
Proof Required	Depends on which payout you choose
Settlement Status	Open for Claims
Administrator	Simpluris, Inc.
Official Website	aoasettlement.com

What Is Happening Right Now

• The settlement is open for claims and awaiting final court approval.
• The opt-out and objection deadline is June 5, 2026.
• The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 25, 2026.
• Payments will go out approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

What Happened in the Alabama Ophthalmology Associates Data Breach?

A ransomware group called BianLian broke into Alabama Ophthalmology Associates’ computer systems on or around January 22, 2025. The attackers had access to the network for eight days before AOA detected the intrusion on January 30, 2025.

During that window, hackers potentially accessed and stole files containing sensitive patient and staff information. AOA hired a digital forensics firm to investigate, completed its file review on March 19, 2025, and began mailing breach notification letters to affected individuals on April 7, 2025.

Patients then filed a class action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, arguing that AOA failed to take reasonable steps to protect the data it stored. AOA denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and uncertainty of a trial.

What Patient Information Was Exposed?

The stolen files potentially included a wide range of sensitive data. Not every affected person had all of these data types compromised, but the breach exposed:

• Names and home addresses
• Dates of birth and driver’s license numbers
• Social Security numbers
• Health insurance information and policy details
• Medical record numbers and treatment information
• Medical history

Social Security numbers and medical information together create serious risk for identity theft and medical fraud, which is why this settlement includes two years of specialized medical data monitoring for all class members.

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Who Can File a Claim?

You may qualify for this settlement if you meet both of these conditions:

• You reside in the United States.
• Alabama Ophthalmology Associates sent you a written notification stating that the January 2025 data incident may have affected your personal information.

If you received a breach notification letter from AOA, that letter is your confirmation that you are a class member. You do not need to prove you were harmed — just that you were notified.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the settlement administrator directly at (833) 244-7341 or email [email protected].

How Much Money Can You Receive?

The settlement offers two separate cash payout options. You can only choose one.

Option 1 — Out-of-Pocket Expense Reimbursement (up to $5,000)

Choose this option if you experienced documented financial losses tied to the breach. Covered expenses include:

• Identity theft or fraud losses
• Credit monitoring or credit report fees
• Costs to freeze or unfreeze your credit
• ID replacement costs
• Postage for mailing your bank or financial institution

You must submit receipts or other documentation to support your claim. Personal statements alone are not enough, but you can include them as supporting context. Losses must have occurred between January 22, 2025, and July 6, 2026.

Option 2 — Pro-Rata Cash Payment (estimated $60, no proof required)

If you did not suffer documented losses, you can still receive a cash payment without submitting any proof. The current estimate is $60, but the final amount may be higher or lower depending on how many valid claims are submitted.

Free Credit Monitoring — Available to Everyone

All class members can also enroll in two years of CyEx Medical Shield Complete at no cost. This service includes $1 million in medical identity theft insurance and monitors for unauthorized use of your health insurance ID, medical record number, and health savings account.

If the settlement fund runs short due to a high volume of claims, the administrator will reduce payments proportionally so every valid claimant receives something.

How to File Your Claim

Step 1 — Go to the official claim form at aoasettlement.com/form/claim

Step 2 — Log in using the unique ID and PIN from the breach notification letter AOA sent you

Step 3 — Select your payout option: out-of-pocket reimbursement or the pro-rata cash payment

Step 4 — If claiming reimbursement, upload your supporting documentation (receipts, statements, etc.)

Step 5 — Choose your payment method: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or mailed check

Step 6 — Submit your claim and save your confirmation number

If you cannot find your ID and PIN, email the settlement administrator at [email protected] with your full name and mailing address. You can also download and mail a paper claim form — download it at aoasettlement.com/documents/ and mail it to:

Alabama Ophthalmology Data Incident Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 25226 Santa Ana, CA 92799

Estimated time to complete: 5–10 minutes

Key Deadlines at a Glance

Milestone	Date
Breach Occurred	January 22–30, 2025
AOA Notified Patients	April 7, 2025
Claims Period Opens	TBD (currently open)
Opt-Out Deadline	June 5, 2026
Objection Deadline	June 5, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	June 25, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	July 6, 2026
Expected Payment Date	~60 days after final approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? 

No. You do not need a lawyer to file a claim. The court has already appointed class counsel to represent all class members at no cost to you. Filing takes about 5–10 minutes online, and the process requires no legal knowledge.

Is this settlement legitimate? 

Yes. The settlement is filed in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama, under Case No. 01-cv-2025-901488.00. Simpluris, Inc. administers the settlement, and the official website is aoasettlement.com. Always use that official URL when filing your claim.

When will I receive my payment? 

Payments go out approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval. The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 25, 2026. If there are no appeals, payments could arrive in late 2026.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

 The claim deadline is July 6, 2026. If you file after that date, the administrator will not accept your claim, and you will not receive a payment. File as early as possible to avoid technical issues or last-minute problems.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Settlement payments tied to reimbursement of actual losses are generally not taxable. However, payments that go beyond your documented losses may be treated as taxable income. The IRS treats each payment differently depending on the circumstances. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

What is the BianLian ransomware group, and should I be worried?

 BianLian is a known cybercriminal group that has targeted healthcare organizations. They claimed responsibility for this attack and stated they stole patient records, HR data, and financial files. AOA has not confirmed the full extent of what was taken. The settlement’s two-year medical identity monitoring service is designed to alert you if your data shows up in places it should not.

Can I opt out of the settlement and sue Alabama Ophthalmology on my own?

 Yes. If you want to preserve your right to sue AOA independently, you must mail an opt-out request postmarked by June 5, 2026. If you opt out, you will not receive any settlement benefits. Most people choose to stay in and file a claim.

What happens if I do nothing?

 If you take no action, you will not receive any payment or credit monitoring. You will also give up your right to sue AOA over the breach — because staying in the class automatically releases those claims.

Sources & References

1. Official settlement website: aoasettlement.com
2. Official FAQ from settlement administrator: aoasettlement.com/faq

Last Updated: April 11, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.