We previously reported that Medical Informatics Engineering, Inc. was sued over a data breach that occurred in May and affected over 4 million individuals. Thereafter, Indiana AG Gregory Zoeller advised all Hoosiers to freeze their credit to protect themselves.

Late last week, a second proposed class action suit was filed against Medical Informatics in California federal court alleging that the proposed class is at risk of identity theft. The suit further alleges that the class has suffered actual injury, including identity theft, invasion of privacy, cost of monitoring credit accounts and the value of their personal information. In a different twist, the named plaintiff alleges that her information has value and can be sold to third parties, and therefore, it is a form of currency that has been devalued as a result of the breach.

We will continue to watch and report on the progress of these suits as they develop.