In response to a data breach in 2014, employees of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center filed a two-count class action complaint against UPMC for (1) negligence and (2) breach of an implied contract for failing to protect their personal data. The employee plaintiffs alleged that their Social Security numbers, names, addresses, birthdates, W2 information and salaries were stolen and used to file fraudulent tax returns and open fraudulent bank accounts.
In dismissing the class action, Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. ruled that Pennsylvania law does not recognize a private right of action to recover actual damages as a result of a data breach. Judge Wettick stated that creating such a cause of action in the context of a data breach would overwhelm the state courts and require businesses – who are also victims in criminal activity – to spend substantial resources to respond to these claims. Judge Wettick noted that, to date, the only obligation imposed upon businesses by the Pennsylvania General Assembly is to provide notification of a data breach. Judge Wettick refused to interfere with the legislature's direction in this area of the law.
This decision confirms that, under Pennsylvania law, plaintiffs will continue to have difficulty bringing claims against businesses who suffer data breaches.
The case is Dittman et al. v. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Case No. GD-14-003285 in the Court of Common Pleas of Alleghany County, Pennsylvania.
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