Deadline: April 2, 2026
Last updated: March 20, 2026

Community First Medical Center Data Breach Settlement – File a Claim by April 2, 2026

Community First Medical Center is settling a class action over a 2023 data breach that exposed patient personal and medical information. If your data was caught up in the incident, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in reimbursement, an estimated $40 cash payment, or one year of free credit and medical monitoring. The deadline is April 2, 2026, which is closer than it sounds.

Deadline: April 2, 2026
File Your Claim →
Applies to Illinois
Main deadline April 2, 2026
Benefit Up to $5,000 in documented out-of-pocket loss reimbursement, an estimated $40 alternative cash payment, or one year of free credit and medical monitoring with $1M identity theft insurance.

What happened

Class period: July 12, 2023 through the close of the claims period

Community First Medical Center (CFMC), a Chicago-area hospital, experienced a data breach in July 2023 that exposed patient personal and medical information.

The exposed data may include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, health insurance information, medical record numbers, and other sensitive details that patients entrusted to their healthcare provider.

A class action lawsuit was filed in Cook County, Illinois, alleging CFMC was negligent in protecting patient data and violated Illinois consumer protection law.

CFMC denies all wrongdoing but agreed to a $1,000,000 settlement to resolve the claims. When a hospital's data walks out the door, sometimes the quickest remedy is a settlement fund.

What you can get

Out-of-pocket loss reimbursement

Up to $5,000

Covers unreimbursed fraud losses, credit monitoring fees, bank charges, and other documented costs caused by the breach. Losses must have occurred after July 12, 2023. Proof required.

Alternative cash payment

Estimated $40

Pro rata share of remaining settlement funds. No documentation needed. Final amount depends on total valid claims submitted.

Credit and medical monitoring

1 year free

Three-bureau credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, medical record monitoring, health insurance plan monitoring, $1M identity theft insurance, and fraud resolution support.

Key dates

Action Date What it means
Claim deadline April 2, 2026 Last day to file a claim
Object March 3, 2026 (passed) Tell the court you disagree
Final hearing April 2, 2026 Judge decides whether to approve

Who may qualify

  • Your personal information was potentially compromised in the Community First Medical Center data breach.
  • You previously received a notification from CFMC about the data incident.
  • You are a U.S. resident whose data was stored in CFMC's systems at the time of the breach.

How to file

  1. Visit the official settlement website at cfmcsettlement.com and click "Submit Claim."
  2. Complete and submit the claim form online by April 2, 2026.
  3. Prefer paper? Download the claim form from the website or call (833) 754-8355 to request one by mail.
  4. Mail completed forms to: Pacheco, et al. v. CFMC, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration, PO Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324. Must be postmarked by April 2, 2026.

Proof required

  • Alternative cash payment or credit and medical monitoring: no proof required. Just submit the claim form.
  • Out-of-pocket loss reimbursement: receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, invoices, or other third-party documentation showing unreimbursed losses caused by the breach. Personal declarations alone are not sufficient.

Payment timing

Payments will be distributed after the Court grants final approval at the April 2, 2026 hearing and all appeals are resolved. Check the settlement website for updates.

Important links

Contact

Phone: (833) 754-8355
Mail: Pacheco, et al. v. CFMC, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration, PO Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324

Extra details

The alternative cash payment is estimated at approximately $40 but the final amount depends on how many valid claims are submitted and what remains in the fund after administration costs and attorneys' fees are paid.

The opt-out and objection deadlines of March 3, 2026, have already passed. You can no longer exclude yourself or object to the settlement.

Do not contact the Court or Clerk of Court about this settlement.

This is the only authorized settlement website. Be cautious of any other site claiming to represent this settlement.


FAQ

Do I need to have received a notice to file a claim?
Not necessarily. You qualify if your personal information was potentially compromised in the data breach, whether or not you received a notice. If you are unsure, call (833) 754-8355 to check your eligibility.
How much will the cash payment actually be?
The alternative cash payment is estimated at approximately $40, but the final amount is calculated after administration costs, attorneys' fees, and service awards are deducted from the $1,000,000 fund. The more people who file, the smaller each individual share. File early, not because it changes anything, but because you will feel better about it.
Can I get both the cash payment and the credit monitoring?
No. You must choose between the alternative cash payment and the out-of-pocket loss reimbursement. However, you can combine whichever cash option you choose with the free credit and medical monitoring.
What kinds of losses qualify for reimbursement?
Unreimbursed fraud losses, long-distance phone charges related to the breach, credit monitoring services you purchased after the incident, costs of credit reports, bank charges caused by the breach, and other documented out-of-pocket costs. Losses must have occurred after July 12, 2023, and you need third-party documentation.
Can I still opt out or object?
No. Both the opt-out and objection deadlines were March 3, 2026, and have passed. Your options now are to file a claim, or do nothing and receive no benefits while still being bound by the settlement.
What happens if I do nothing?
You will not receive any payment or monitoring services, and you will give up your right to sue CFMC separately for the claims covered by this settlement. Not a great trade.

Use the official website Always confirm details on the official site. If something feels off, stop and verify before sharing personal info.

Info only. Verify details on the official site. Not legal, financial, or tax advice. Legal

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