A New Jersey federal judge has consolidated four proposed class action lawsuits against The Cooper Health System stemming from a May 2024 data breach that allegedly compromised patients’ personally identifiable information and protected health information. U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams granted the consolidation motion and appointed interim lead co-counsel from multiple law firms.
The lawsuits all stem from a cyberattack that occurred on or around May 14, 2024, in which hackers allegedly stole sensitive information including dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and medical treatment and prescription information. According to the plaintiffs’ brief, patients didn’t learn about the breach until almost one year later when Cooper Health issued a public notice.
Patient Impact and Delayed Notification
The four consolidated cases were filed by plaintiffs Ana Hernandez, Chester Simonds, Ralph Sica, and Jacqueline Smith between May and June 2025. Each lawsuit alleges multiple causes of action including negligence, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment, seeking to represent a nationwide class of anyone impacted by the breach.
Plaintiff Ana Hernandez reported experiencing increased spam calls and messages since the breach, as well as anxiety and stress due to her Social Security number being stolen. She claims to have spent time and money trying to mitigate the harms from the data breach.
Legal Representation and Proceedings
The court appointed attorneys from four law firms as interim lead co-counsel: Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC, **Siri and Glimstad LLP**, Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert PA, and Strauss Borrelli PLLC. The plaintiffs have 45 days from the consolidation order to file a consolidated complaint.
In addition to the four consolidated federal cases, a fifth class action was removed by Cooper Health from New Jersey state court to federal court on the same day the consolidation was granted.
Siri and Glimstad LLP attorneys Tyler Bean and Jack Ryan Spitz represent the plaintiffs alongside attorneys from the other appointed firms. Cooper Health is represented by Susan M. Leming of Brown & Connery LLP.
The consolidated case is In Re: Cooper Health System Security Incident Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.