Data Breach Lands New England Health Care Group In $15 Million Settlement

May 21, 2025

Cyber criminals will cost Shields Health Care Group over $15.3 million in pay-outs to settle a class action related to a 2022 data breach.

The data breach affected over 2.3 million patients.

According to court documents, cybercriminals gained unauthorized access to the network of Shield Health Care Group and exposed sensitive patient information.

This prompted a class action from affected patients which is now resulting in $15,350,000 settlement to cover claims, legal fees, and administrative costs.

Some claimants will be able to file online or receive a $50 payment without detailed claims.

Despite agreeing to the settlement, Shields denies any wrongdoing.

The class actions were filed in Massachusetts courts in 2023, and mediation between the parties began in April 2024.

About the author

Diane LaVoie

With over two decades of business journalism experience, Diane LaVoie has been leading our business coverage since 2017. A Nashua native and UNH graduate, Diane spent ten years at the Boston Globe covering regional economics before returning to her home state to raise her family. Her specialty is connecting national economic trends to local impacts, making complex financial news accessible to everyday readers. Diane has developed a respected column, "Granite State Business," featuring profiles of local entrepreneurs and analyzing economic development in New Hampshire's diverse communities from the North Country to the Massachusetts border. She serves on the board of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center and frequently speaks at community events about the state's economic outlook. Outside of work, Diane is an avid gardener, cookbook collector, and youth soccer coach. She lives in Bedford with her husband and twin daughters.