About The Smith Gambrell & Russell Lawsuit
International law firm Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP (SGR) has disclosed a data breach affecting client records. The security incident resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive personal data belonging to multiple firm clients.
If SGR notified you that the breach may have impacted your data, you may be eligible for compensation from a $2.4 million class action settlement.
What Happened in the SGR Data Breach?
Well-known law firm SGR, with offices across the US and globally, discovered suspicious activity on its network in July 2021.
After the investigation, SGR determined that an unauthorized party had accessed its systems and may have viewed or taken client data without permission.
The compromised information included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account details, medical records, and other sensitive data provided to SGR while seeking legal representation.
According to litigation, the breach impacted many of the firm's clients across multiple states.
SGR's Failure to Protect Client Data Allegations
Following the data breach announcement, SGR clients filed class action lawsuits claiming the firm failed to safeguard their personal information adequately.
The lawsuit alleged SGR did not execute sufficient data security measures, enabling cybercriminals to access its systems and steal client data.
Class plaintiffs sought to hold SGR accountable for the harm caused by the breach, including the risk of identity theft and fraud that victims now face.
$2.4 Million Settlement Reached to Resolve Claims
Although SGR denied any wrongdoing, the firm agreed to pay $2.4 million to settle all claims and provide benefits to clients impacted by the data breach.
As a class member, you may be eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket losses, compensation for time spent dealing with the breach, free credit monitoring services, and more.
What can you receive from the SGR settlement?
Class members may be entitled to multiple benefits:
- Reimbursement for time spent dealing with the data breach, up to 5 hours, at $25 per hour.
- Compensation for out-of-pocket expenses like fraud losses, professional fees, and credit monitoring costs, up to $2,500 per person.
- Three years of free credit monitoring and identity protection services.
- Reimbursement for documented identity theft losses and unrefunded fraudulent charges, up to $7,500 per person.
- A $150 payment for California residents who had their personal information was exposed through the state's Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
- An alternative cash payment of $75 for those who certify they already have credit monitoring.
The payment you receive may vary depending on how many people file claims. If more class members participate in the settlement, each person's payment may decrease accordingly.
Are you eligible for a settlement payment?
This class settlement includes US residents whom SGR notified that the July 2021 data breach compromised their personal information.
If you received an SGR settlement notice, you are automatically considered a class member and do not need to take any action to be included in the settlement.
How to File Your Claim for SGR Settlement Benefits
All claimants must take action by the deadline of July 5, 2025. Visit the settlement page for full details on how to submit a claim, your legal rights, and the implications of accepting the settlement
- Fill out the online claim form at the official SGR Law Data Settlement website. You'll need the unique ID number from your settlement notice.
- If you're claiming out-of-pocket expenses or documented losses, upload proof of your costs. This proof can include receipts, bank/credit card statements, invoices, and other records.
- Choose whether you want free credit monitoring or an alternative cash payment. California residents can claim the CCPA payment in addition to other benefits.
- Submit your completed claim form online or print a hard copy and mail it to the Settlement Administrator. There are no fees to file a claim.
After you file a claim, the Settlement Administrator will review it and determine whether you're eligible for benefits.
If accepted, you'll receive your payment after final court approval. The process may take a year or more, so please be patient.
What Are Your Other Legal Options?
As a settlement class member, you have legal options:
- File a claim for benefits, as described above. This submission is the only way to get money from the settlement.
- Opt out of the settlement by June 5, 2025, to preserve your right to pursue your separate legal action against SGR. But if you opt out, you can't claim settlement benefits.
- Object to the settlement terms or the attorneys' fees by writing to the court by June 5, 2025. The court will consider your objection before deciding whether to approve the settlement.
- Do nothing. If you don't file a claim, opt out, or object, you won't get any money, but you'll still be bound by the settlement terms if approved.
Your decision on choosing between legal options is specific to your needs and goals and should be determined after carefully considering settlement plan documents. This bulletin is not intended to serve as legal advice or recommending any specific course of action.
Released claims in the SGR settlement
Unless you exclude yourself, the settlement releases SGR and its affiliates from liability for the July 2021 data breach claims.
That means you likely can't sue SGR separately over the incident if you participate in the settlement. The long-form settlement notice available on the website describes the release in detail.
If you have questions or need help filing a claim, visit the Settlement Administrator's official site.
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