Bigfork Valley Hospital Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation
Did you receive a letter from Bigfork Valley Hospital warning that your medical and personal details were exposed? An email hack has jeopardized the privacy of 8,496 patients—and time is critical to protect yourself. Learn your rights and whether you can file a claim below.
What Happened?
Bigfork Valley Hospital— a 20-bed critical access facility in Bigfork, Minnesota—confirmed that an unauthorized party accessed an employee’s email account on November 4, 2024. Suspicious activity was detected on November 26, 2024, prompting a digital forensics investigation. The breach was officially disclosed and reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on March 25, 2025.
What Information Was Exposed?
The compromised mailbox contained both personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI), including:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
- Full names
- Phone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Addresses
- Financial account numbers
- Driver’s license or state ID numbers
Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Patient, Medicare, or Medicaid account numbers
- Health-insurance member numbers
- Treatment costs, diagnoses, and procedure details
- Medical histories, allergies, or prescription data
- Lab results, imaging, and clinical notes
- Dates and locations of treatment
- Healthcare provider names
Download the Official Notice Letter
The hospital’s full disclosure is available for review:
Download Official Breach Notice (PDF)
Your Immediate Next Steps
- Monitor financial accounts for unfamiliar activity and report discrepancies right away.
- Order your free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion via AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228.
- Place a fraud alert with any one credit bureau to make account openings more difficult for identity thieves.
- Freeze your credit for stronger protection—contact each bureau separately.
- Report suspected identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department.
Can You File a Data Breach Lawsuit Against Bigfork Valley Hospital?
Victims of data breaches may pursue compensation for:
- Out-of-pocket expenses (credit monitoring, lost time, etc.)
- Fraudulent charges or medical identity theft losses
- Future identity-protection costs
- Emotional distress related to privacy violations
Courts increasingly recognize that exposure of sensitive medical data carries long-term risks. Speaking with a qualified data-breach attorney can clarify your eligibility and potential recovery.
Hospital Response & Support
Bigfork Valley Hospital mailed notification letters on March 25, 2025 and set up a dedicated call center at 1-833-998-7840 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET) to answer patient questions.
FAQ: Bigfork Valley Hospital Data Breach
How many patients were affected by the Bigfork Valley Hospital data breach?
The hospital reported that 8,496 individuals had information exposed.
What caused the Bigfork Valley Hospital breach?
An unauthorized party gained access to a single employee’s email account, accessing messages and attachments containing PII and PHI.
When did Bigfork Valley Hospital discover the breach?
Suspicious activity was detected on November 26, 2024, and the hospital completed its forensic investigation in early 2025.
Has Bigfork Valley Hospital offered free credit monitoring?
The notice letter outlines recommended protective measures but does not mention complimentary credit monitoring; confirm eligibility by calling 1-833-998-7840.
Can I sue Bigfork Valley Hospital for the data breach?
Potentially. Patients whose data was compromised may have legal claims for negligence, privacy violations, and damages arising from identity theft or fraud.
What steps should I take right now?
Monitor accounts, order credit reports, consider fraud alerts or credit freezes, and consult an attorney about your legal rights.