In one case, more than 60 patients are plaintiffs seeking financial damages or other relief for alleged loss of privacy and other harm. The second complaint seeks damages related to the massive hack that sparked anger among lawmakers at last year’s Congressional hearing.
“The healthcare change defendant failed to implement reasonable security procedures and practices and failed to disclose any material facts surrounding inadequate security protocols,” the plaintiff argued in a January filing.
“As a result of the defendant’s actions, health care providers are suffering and continue to suffer significant harm,” the complaint states. “The event has pushed many providers onto the brink of collapse.
UnitedHealth Group filed an motion dismissing both cases, alleging the patient. Complaints attempt to “manufacture liability if nothing is found.” It argues that lawsuits from healthcare providers are flawed due to temporary system disruptions, such as missed claims or payments for late claims for cyberattacks.
“The plaintiff cannot point to any obligation under contract, customary law or law. They cannot maintain services at any time, at any time during a cyberattack,” the company argued in a motion filed last month.
“The defendant was not obligated to lend $9 billion to the provider during this period, but the lawsuit resolves the plaintiff’s allegations of injury,” the motion states. “Incredibly, the plaintiff is trying to maintain these multi-billion dollar loans despite the fact that almost all of the services were restored a few months ago, in addition to seeking further compensation through this complaint.”
