LEWISTON — Six class action lawsuits have been filed against Central Maine Healthcare alleging patient data was breached during what the company called a “cyber incident” in June.
Central Maine Healthcare had not yet publicly stated that a data breach had occurred as of Friday afternoon.
The patients started filing the lawsuits as early as June 6. There is a motion in front of the Androscoggin County Superior Court, dated July 10, which had not been acted on as of Friday afternoon, to consolidate the lawsuits into one, with attorneys from two different law firms representing the plaintiffs.
The lawsuits are alleging that patient data was exposed in a data breach more than a month ago that led to the hospital system taking all of its computer systems offline, the complaints said.
During that time, many patients reported having a hard time reaching providers, filling medications, and accessing imaging and other necessary care.
Patients who filed the lawsuit are alleging negligence, negligence per se, breach of implied contract, and unjust enrichment, along with other complaints.
The lawsuits are asking the court to grant the plaintiffs damages, restitution, monetary relief and relief to ensure the protection of their sensitive information, among other requests outlined in any or all of the six complaints, and to award them attorney’s fees.
Covenant Health Inc., which owns St. Mary’s Health System, is also being sued for a data breach that led to its hospital’s computer systems being taken offline for roughly a month, just before Central Maine had to take its systems offline.
Both Lewiston-based health systems have fully restored their computer systems and St. Mary’s is offering free credit monitoring to patients who had their Social Security numbers taken.
Central Maine Healthcare did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
Central Maine Healthcare is in the midst of being acquired by Prime Healthcare Foundation, a California-based nonprofit closely affiliated with Prime Healthcare. The foundation is poised to invest $150 million into Central Maine Healthcare in the first five years of ownership.
Some members of the public have voiced concern about the acquisition citing Prime Healthcare’s past settlements with the federal government.
