Frequently Asked Questions

BASIC INFORMATION

1. Why was a notice issued?

The Court presiding over the Litigation authorized the Notice. You have a right to know about the proposed Settlement of this class action lawsuit, and about all of your options, before the Court decides whether to grant final approval of the Settlement. The Notice explains the lawsuit, your legal rights, what benefits are available, and who can receive them.

The lawsuit is called In re Carolina Arthritis Associates Data Incident Litigation, Case No. 25-CV002250-640. It is pending in the District Court for Bonneville County, Idaho. The person that filed this lawsuit is called the “Plaintiff” (or “Class Representative”) and the company they sued, Idaho National Laboratory, is called the “Defendant.”

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2. What is this lawsuit about?

This lawsuit alleges that during the December 2023 targeted cyberattack on INL's computer systems, certain files that contained private information were accessed. These files may have contained personal information such as full names; SSNs; dates of birth; and medical treatment and health insurance information

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3. What is a class action?

In a class action, one or more individuals sue on behalf of other people with similar claims. These individuals are called the “Plaintiffs” or “Class Representatives.” Together, the people included in the class action are called a “Class” or “Class Members.” One court resolves the lawsuit for all Class Members, except for those who opt out from the settlement. In this Settlement, the Class Representative is Jason Dallimore. Everyone included in this Action are the Class Members

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4. Why is there a Settlement?

The Court did not decide whether the Plaintiff or the Defendant are right. Both sides have agreed to a Settlement to avoid the costs and risks of a trial, and to allow the Class Members to receive benefits from the Settlement. The Plaintiff and their attorneys think the Settlement is best for all Class Members

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Who is in the Settlement?

5. Who is included in the Settlement?

The court has defined the Class this way: “All individuals residing in the United States whose Private Information was compromised in the Idaho National laboratory’s Data Incident disclosed on or about December 12, 2023.”

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6. Are there exceptions to being included?

Yes. Excluded from the Class are: (1) the Judge in this case, and the Judge’s family and staff; (2) INL and its officers, directors, and related companies; and (3) anyone who validly excludes themselves from the Settlement.

If you are not sure whether you are a Class Member, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

INL Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
(833) 417-4969
info@INLDataSettlement.com

You may also review the Settlement Agreement here.

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The Settlement Benefits

7. What does the Settlement provide?

INL has agreed to pay for a number of different benefits. All Class Members may claim one year of Credit Monitoring Services. Class Members whose SSNs were impacted in the Data Incident may also claim one or more cash payments.

The benefits are explained in more detail below.

Credit Monitoring Services. All Class Members are eligible to enroll in one (1) year of Credit Monitoring by the three credit bureaus. This benefit comes with $1 million in identity theft insurance, and includes:

  • real time monitoring of your credit file

  • dark web scanning

  • comprehensive public records monitoring

If anything suspicious happens, you will be able to talk to a fraud resolution agent to help fix any problems.

Cash Payments. Only Class Members whose SSNs were impacted in the Data Incident may claim a cash payment. If you received a postcard about this Settlement, it explains if you are included in this group. If you are not sure, please contact the Settlement Administrator.

I. Extraordinary Expenses (Expenses Due to Fraud or Identity Theft). If you lost money because of identity theft or fraud, you can get back up to $5,000.00. You will need to show that:

  • the theft or fraud was probably caused by the Data Incident

  • the losses are not already covered by Out-of-Pocket Expenses

  • you tried to prevent the loss or get your money back, such as by using insurance you already have

The losses must have occurred between December 12, 2023, and February 28, 2026.

You need to send proof, like bank statements or receipts, to show how much you spent or lost. You can also send notes or papers you made yourself to explain or support other proof, but those notes or papers alone are not enough to make a valid claim. Your proof or notes should show that your expenses were because of the Data Incident.

You cannot claim a payment for expenses that have already been reimbursed by a third party.

II. Ordinary Expenses (Out-of-Pocket Expenses). If you incurred actual, documented out-of-pocket expenses due to the Data Incident, you can get back up to $1,000.00. The losses must have occurred between December 12, 2023, and February 28, 2026. This benefit covers out-of-pocket expenses like:

  • fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or freezing and unfreezing your credit

  • cost to replace your IDs

  • postage to contact banks by mail

You need to send proof, like bank statements or receipts, to show how much you spent or lost. You can also send notes or papers you made yourself to explain or support other proof, but those notes or papers alone are not enough to make a valid claim. Your proof or notes should show that your expenses were because of the Data Incident.

You cannot claim a payment for expenses that have already been reimbursed by a third party.

III. Cash Payment. You may also claim an additional flat payment of $75.00. You do not have to provide any proof or explanation to claim this payment.

If you have questions about these benefits, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

INL Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
(833) 417-4969
info@INLDataSettlement.com

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8. What claims am I releasing if I stay in the Class?

If you stay in the class, you won’t be able to be part of any other lawsuit against INL about the issues that this Settlement covers. The “Releases” section of the Settlement Agreement (Section IX) describes the legal claims that you give up if you remain in the Class. The Settlement Agreement is available here.

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Submitting a Claim Form for a Settlement Payment

9. How do I submit a claim for a Settlement benefit?

The fastest way to submit your Claim Form is online here. If you prefer, you can download a printable Claim Form here and mail it to the Settlement Administrator at:

INL Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

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10. Are there any important Settlement payment deadlines?

If you are submitting a Claim Form online, you must do so by February 28, 2026. If you are submitting a claim by U.S. mail, the completed and signed Claim Form, including supporting documentation, must be postmarked no later than February 28, 2026.

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11. When will the Settlement benefits be issued?

The Court will hold a final approval hearing on March 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (see FAQ 18). If the Court approves the Settlement, there may be appeals. We do not know if appeals will be filed, or how long it will take to resolve them if they are filed.

Settlement payments will be distributed if the Court grants final approval, and after any appeals are resolved.

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The Lawyers Representing You

12. Do I have a lawyer in the case?

Yes, the Court has appointed attorneys Phillip J. Krzeski of Chestnut Cambronne PA and Wyatt Johnson of Johnson May, to represent you and other Class Members (“Class Counsel”).

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13. Should I get my own lawyer?

You will not be charged for Class Counsel's services. If you want your own lawyer, you may hire one at your expense.

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14. How will Class Counsel be paid?

Class Counsel will ask the court to approve $175,000.00 as reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of litigation. This amount will be paid by INL

Class Counsel will also ask for a Service Award Payment of $5,000.00 for the Class Representative. The Service Award Payment will also be paid by INL.

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Excluding Yourself from the Settlement

15. How do I opt out of the Settlement?

If you do not want to be part of the Settlement, you must formally exclude yourself from the Settlement. This is called a Request for Exclusion and is sometimes also called "opting out." If you opt out, you will not receive Settlement benefits or payment. However, you will keep any rights you may have to sue INL on your own about the legal issues in this case.

If you exclude yourself, you are telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Settlement. You will not be eligible to receive any Settlement benefits if you exclude yourself. The deadline to exclude yourself from the Settlement is January 29, 2026.

To be valid, your Request for Exclusion must have the following information:

  1. the name of the Litigation: Dallimore v. Idaho National Laboratory operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Case No. CV10-25-0742, pending in the District Court for Bonneville County, Idaho;

  2. your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address;

  3. personal signature; and

  4. the words "Request for Exclusion" or a clear and similar statement that you do not want to participate in the Settlement.

You may only exclude yourself—not any other person.

Mail your Request for Exclusion to the Settlement Administrator at:

INL Data Incident Settlement
ATTN: Exclusion Request
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Your Request for Exclusion must be postmarked by January 29, 2026.

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Commenting on or Objecting to the Settlement

16. How do I tell the Court if I like or do not like the Settlement?

If you are a Class Member and do not like part or all of the Settlement, you can object to it. Objecting means telling the Court your reasons for why you think the Court should not approve the Settlement. The Court will consider your views.

You cannot object if you have excluded yourself from the Settlement (see FAQ 15)

You must provide the following information for the Court to consider your objection:

  1. the name of the Litigation: Dallimore v. Idaho National Laboratory operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, Case No. CV10-25-0742, pending in the District Court for Bonneville County, Idaho;

  2. your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address;

  3. a clear description of all the reasons you object; include any legal support, such as documents, you may have for your objection;

  4. if you have hired your own lawyer to represent you for this objection, provide their name, bar number, and contact information;

  5. if you have objected in any other cases in the past five years, list the names, courts, and civil action numbers for each of those cases;

  6. a statement about whether you or your lawyer will attend the Final Approval Hearing;

  7. your signature (or, if you have hired your own lawyer, their signature is not sufficient);

For your objection to be valid, it must meet each of these requirements.

To be considered by the Court, you must file your complete objection with the Clerk of Court by January 29, 2026. You must also send a copy of the objection to the Settlement Administrator.

Clerk of the Court

Settlement Administrator

Clerk of the Court
605 N. Capital Ave.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402

INL Data Incident Settlement
ATTN: Objections
PO Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

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17. What is the difference between objecting and excluding?

Objecting is telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. You can object to the Settlement only if you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement. Excluding yourself from the Settlement is opting out and stating to the Court that you do not want to be part of the Settlement. If you opt out of the Settlement, you cannot object to it because the Settlement no longer affects you.

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The Court's Final Approval Hearing

18. When is the Court's Final Approval Hearing?

The Court will hold a final approval on March 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, at the Bonneville County Courthouse, remotely, via Zoom. Meeting ID: 95534530881, Password: 320387

At the final approval hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement. The court will also decide how Class Counsel should be paid, and whether to award Service Award payments to the Class Representatives. The Court will also consider any objections to the Settlement.

If you are a Class Member, you or your lawyer may ask permission to speak at the hearing at your own cost (see FAQ 16).

The date and time of this hearing may change without further notice. Please check this Settlement Website for updates.

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19. Do I have to come to the Final Approval Hearing?

No. Class Counsel will answer any questions the Court may have. You may attend at your own expense if you wish, but you do not have to.

If you file an objection, you do not have to come to the Final Approval Hearing to talk about it; the Court will consider it as long as it was filed on time. You may also pay your own lawyer to attend, but you do not have to.

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If I Do Nothing

20. What happens if I do nothing at all?

If you do nothing, you will not receive a benefit from this Settlement. You will also give up the rights described in FAQ 8.

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Getting More Information

21. How do I get more information?

This website and the Notice are a summary of the proposed Settlement. The full Settlement Agreement and other related documents are available on the Important Documents page.

If you have additional questions, you can ask for free help any time by contacting the Settlement Administrator at:

INL Data Incident Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
(833) 417-4969
info@INLDataSettlement.com

You can obtain copies of publicly filed documents by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court.

Do not contact the Court or Clerk of Court regarding this Settlement.

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