Welcome to the Carl Buddig & Company Data Breach Settlement Website
Williams v. Carl Buddig and Company
Carl Buddig & Company data breach settlement: you may be entitled to benefits including cash reimbursement and free credit monitoring.
A circuit court has authorized this Notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
- A class action settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against Carl Buddig & Company (“Carl Buddig”), arising out of a cyberattack that occurred near or around May 2023 that may have resulted in the exposure of your personal information (the “Data Breach”).
- Under the terms of the settlement, Carl Buddig has agreed to establish a fund of $850,000.00 that will be used to pay for the following forms of relief:
- Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Out-of-pocket expenses or losses traceable to the Data Breach, up to $15,000.00 per individual.
- Reimbursement for Lost Time: Spent time addressing issues related to the Data Breach for up to twenty (20) hours at twenty-five dollars ($25) per hour, totaling $500.00 per individual (“Lost Time” or “Attested Time”).
- Free Credit Monitoring Services: The settlement fund will also pay for Credit Monitoring and Identity Restoration Services from a company that offers 3-bureau credit monitoring which will be offered to all Settlement Class Members who elect to enroll for two years.
- Additional Cash Payments: If there is money remaining after reimbursing settlement class members for Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Credit Monitoring Services, Lost Time, and other settlement related obligations, additional cash payments may be provided on a pro rata basis for claims among participating settlement class members up to $2,500.00.
- Business Practice Commitments: Carl Buddig has agreed to implement and maintain certain business practice commitments relating to its information security program for seven years following the Settlement.
Your legal rights are affected whether or not you act. Please read this carefully.
Your Legal Rights and Options in this Settlement
Claim Filing Deadline
You must submit a claim form by mail or online in order to receive reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Lost Time, Additional Cash Payments, and/or to enroll in free 3-bureau credit monitoring for up to two years.
Exclude yourself or "Opt out" from the Settlement
Get no Settlement benefits. If you exclude yourself, you will keep your right to sue or continue to sue Carl Buddig for the claims released by the Settlement. You cannot request to exclude yourself and still object.
Object to or comment on the Settlement
Write to the Court about why you do not like the Settlement. You will still be bound by the Settlement if the Court approves it. You may still file a Claim Form for benefits under the Settlement.
Go to a Hearing
As long as you do not exclude yourself, you can (but do not have to) participate and speak for yourself at the Final Approval Hearing. This is called making an appearance. You also can have your own lawyer speak for you. If you choose to make an appearance, you must follow all of the procedures for objecting to the Settlement and specifically include a statement whether you and your counsel will appear at the Final Approval Hearing.