Otolaryngology Associates
Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit

April 4, 2024 -- Attention: victims of the Otolaryngology Associates data breach.

Abington Cole + Ellery is investigating the data breach recently announced by Otolaryngology Associates.

On February 17, 2024, Otolaryngology Associates detected a criminal data breach on its systems through its monitoring alerts. The discovery was made just hours into the data breach, and Otolaryngology Associates claims its vendor took immediate action to halt the progression of the data breach. Responding to the data breach, Otolaryngology Associates claims it fortified its information technology defenses and conducted on a thorough investigation with the assistance of the FBI and a specialized forensic cybersecurity firm.

The investigative efforts purportedly revealed that the cyber-attacker executed programs to illicitly extract data from Otolaryngology Associates' systems rather than accessing specific documents directly. The scope of potentially compromised data was identified, but the precise documents that may have been extracted remained unclear. Consequently, the risk of exposure for both protected health information and personal details of Otolaryngology Associates' patients and staff could not be entirely dismissed. According to Otolaryngology Associates, it is not believed that the attacker penetrated the Otolaryngology Associates medical records system.

In response to this incident, Otolaryngology Associates claims it has been proactively enhancing its security protocols and measures to safeguard against future data breaches, in addition to the immediate engagement of a cybersecurity response team. This includes ongoing efforts to reinforce the protection of its patients, staff, and systems against cyber threats.

It is unclear if Otolaryngology Associates is offering credit monitoring and/or identity theft protection services to affected individuals at this time.

Approximately 316,000 individuals were affected by the Otolaryngology Associates data breach.

Potentially breached data may include, but is not necessarily limited to: names, protected health information, billing information, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, as well as other data.

Additional information about the Otolaryngology Associates data breach may be found here: Otolaryngology Associates Data Breach Notice.

Otolaryngology Associates is a healthcare provider specializing in otolaryngology, covering a wide geographic area with 13 facilities throughout Indiana. This includes urban and suburban regions such as Indianapolis, Carmel, and Kokomo. This extensive network positions the organization among the foremost private otolaryngology practices nationally, offering patients state-of-the-art medical treatments and technologies. The practice is renowned for its comprehensive service offerings, which address a variety of otolaryngological conditions, from allergies and sinus issues to pediatric care and hearing impairments.

Otolaryngology Associates prioritizes a patient-centered approach, with a focus on creating a supportive and communicative environment. This ethos is shared across all levels of staff, from physicians to administrative personnel, emphasizing the importance of patient comfort and well-being. By fostering strong patient-provider relationships, Otolaryngology Associates aims to provide personalized care plans that effectively address each patient's unique health challenges.

Expanding beyond conventional ENT services, Otolaryngology Associates collaborates with several specialized partners, including OA Facial Plastics for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Whisper Hearing Centers for audiological services, and Balance Point Indy for vestibular care. These partnerships reflect the practice’s commitment to offering a holistic healthcare solution, ensuring patients have access to a broad spectrum of specialized ENT-related treatments.

The Otolaryngology Associates Website may have additional information about or provide periodic updates regarding the data breach.

For more information about steps you can take to possibly reduce the chances harm arising from a data breach, please review the following article: What are some steps you can take if you've been the victim of a data breach?

If you believe you are a victim of the Otolaryngology Associates data breach, and would like to participate in a class action lawsuit regarding this data breach, please submit your information via the form on this webpage. This website is not associated with nor authorized by Otolaryngology Associates or any affiliated companies.