Labcorp Data Privacy Lawsuit, Settlement Over Unauthorized Patient Data Sales 2026
If you used Labcorp’s website to search for lab tests or view results, your private medical information may have been sold or shared without your permission. As of January 30, 2026, a major class action settlement has been reached to resolve claims that Labcorp knowingly shared patient data with tech giants like Meta and Google using hidden tracking code.
Labcorp Settlement, Unauthorized Data Sales and Your Rights
The Labcorp settlement stems from a high-profile lawsuit, Howard, et al. v. Laboratory Corp of America, which alleged the company sold or disclosed patient data without consent. According to court filings in the Middle District of North Carolina, Labcorp embedded tracking software—known as the Meta Pixel—on its website. This code allegedly captured sensitive health-related interactions and transmitted them to third parties for profit and targeted advertising.
What Data Was Sold or Shared Without Consent?
The investigation revealed that the data involved was not merely generic browsing history. Plaintiffs alleged that Labcorp’s use of tracking pixels allowed the company to share:
- Specific medical search terms (e.g., searches for “HIV testing” or “cancer screening”).
- Patient portal interactions, including when tests were ordered or results were viewed.
- Personally identifiable information (PII), such as IP addresses and Facebook IDs, which linked medical searches directly to specific individuals.
Who is Included in the Settlement?
As of January 2026, the settlement class generally includes anyone in the United States who used Labcorp’s website or patient portal during the “class period,” which typically covers 2021 through late 2025.
If you searched for laboratory services while logged into a Facebook or Google account, your data may have been part of the unauthorized exchanges. While Labcorp denies any legal wrongdoing, they have agreed to the settlement to avoid the risks of a trial.
Settlement Terms and Estimated Payouts
The formal settlement agreement was finalized in late January 2026. While the court must still grant “Final Approval,” the settlement fund is expected to provide cash payments to eligible patients. Based on similar healthcare privacy settlements, individual payouts are estimated to range from $50 to $150.
Additionally, Labcorp is required to implement significant “injunctive relief,” meaning they must remove unauthorized tracking pixels and update their disclosure policies to meet healthcare data privacy laws same happend with numotion-data-breach-data-breach-class-action.
What You Must Know About Healthcare Privacy in 2026
The Labcorp case is part of a 2025–2026 wave of litigation targeting “dark patterns” in medical data handling. Courts are increasingly ruling that using patient data for advertising without explicit “opt-in” consent is a violation of consumer trust.
Why This Isn’t Just a HIPAA Issue
Many patients assume HIPAA prevents all data sharing. However, the HIPAA Privacy Rule has complex exceptions for “de-identified” data. The plaintiffs in the Labcorp case argued that by using pixels, the data was not truly de-identified because it could be linked back to a user’s social media profile. This lawsuit utilized state-level laws, like the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), which allow for private lawsuits that HIPAA does not always cover.
Current Status: No Claim Website Yet
It is critical to note that as of January 30, 2026, the official settlement website is not yet live. The parties have reached an agreement, but the court must first grant “Preliminary Approval.” Once that happens, a third-party settlement administrator will be appointed to launch the site and begin accepting claim forms. Avoid any “eligibility checkers” that ask for your Social Security number or lab results, as these are likely scams.
What to Do Next to Protect Your Claim
Even though you cannot file a claim today, taking these steps now will ensure you are ready when the claims process officially opens later in 2026.
- Preserve Your Lab Records: Save any emails from Labcorp or screenshots of your “My Labcorp” portal account from the years 2021 to 2025. This establishes you as a “class member.”
- Monitor Your Postal Mail: Once the court approves the settlement notice plan, Labcorp will be required to send letters or emails to the millions of patients affected. These notices contain a “Claimant ID” needed for the website.
- Check for Other Claims: This data-selling case is separate from the Davis v. Labcorp kiosk litigation, which has an exclusion deadline of February 9, 2026. Ensure you know which medical records privacy case applies to you.
- Update Privacy Settings: To prevent future data sales, clear your “Off-Facebook Activity” in your Facebook account and use privacy-focused browsers that block third-party trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Labcorp data selling settlement about?
The settlement resolves claims that Labcorp used hidden tracking pixels to share or “sell” patient search data and portal activity to companies like Meta and Google without getting the patient’s permission.
How much money can I get from the Labcorp settlement?
While the exact amount per person depends on how many people file claims, experts estimate payouts will be between $50 and $150 for most eligible class members.
Who is eligible to file a claim in the Labcorp settlement?
Eligibility usually applies to anyone who used Labcorp’s digital tools (website or portal) between 2021 and 2025. You do not need to have had a specific medical condition to qualify.
What is the deadline to file a Labcorp settlement claim?
The deadline has not been set yet. It will be established once the court grants preliminary approval, likely in the spring of 2026.
Did Labcorp violate HIPAA by selling patient data?
The lawsuit alleged Labcorp violated state privacy laws and consumer protection statutes. While HIPAA was a background factor, the settlement is based on the HIPAA violations of trust regarding patient confidentiality and unauthorized disclosure.
Is there a Labcorp settlement website I can go to now?
No. As of late January 2026, the website is still being created by the court-appointed administrator. It is expected to launch a few weeks after the preliminary approval hearing.
Last Updated: January 30, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. No official settlement website exists at this time.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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