Settlement Information
The class action lawsuit relates to the September 20, 2022 identification of an email phishing incident that potentially resulted in unauthorized access to emails and attachments in two Contra Costa employee email accounts (the “Data Incident”). Upon learning of the Data Incident, Contra Costa secured the accounts and launched an investigation. This investigation determined that an unauthorized party may have accessed email accounts of two Contra Costa employees between September 19, 2022 and September 20, 2022. As part of its investigation of the Data Incident, Contra Costa determined that approximately 15,591 individuals were potentially impacted.
Who Is a Class Member?
The Settlement Class means all persons with California mailing addresses who were mailed a letter sent from Defendant County entitled “NOTICE OF DATA BREACH” on or about May 10, 2023.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Submit a Claim formby January 20, 2026 |
You must submit a Valid Claim to receive benefits from this Settlement. You may submit a claim HERE.
If you submit a Claim Form, you will give up the right to sue The County of Contra Costa and Marc Shorr (“Defendants”) in a separate lawsuit about the legal claims this settlement resolves. |
Exclude Yourself from the settlementby December 22, 2025 |
Get out of the Settlement. Get no money. Keep your rights
This is the only option that allows you to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against the Defendants for the claims this settlement resolves. If you exclude yourself, you will give up the right to receive settlement benefits from this settlement. Refer to FAQ 15 for detailed instructions on how to object from the Settlement. Your request to exclude yourself must be postmarked no later than December 22, 2025. |
Object to the Settlementby December 22, 2025 |
Stay in the Settlement but tell the Court why you think the Settlement should not be approved. Refer to FAQ 18 for detailed instructions on how to exclude yourself from the Settlement. Objections must be postmarked no later than December 22, 2025, and mailed to the Claims Administrator. |
GO to the Final Fairness HearingFebruary 5, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. |
You may attend the Final Fairness Hearing where the Court may hear arguments concerning approval of the settlement. The Court will hear from any Settlement Class Member who attends the Final Approval hearing and asks to speak regarding his or her objection regardless of whether that Settlement Class Member submitted a written objection. |
Do Nothingno deadline |
If you do nothing, you will not receive settlement benefits and you will give up your rights to sue the Defendants and certain Released Parties for the claims this settlement resolves. |
Dates and Deadlines
Claims Deadline
January 20, 2025
Exclusion Deadline
December 22, 2025
Objection Deadline
December 22, 2025
Final Fairness Hearing
February 5, 2026