Columbia Eye Clinic Data Breach Class Action

At Console & Associates, our data breach lawyers are closely examining the recent Columbia Eye Clinic data breach. This data breach was disclosed following a cyber security incident at Columbia Eye Clinic, which may have affected patients, potentially exposing sensitive personal identifiable information.

What Happened?

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that the Columbia Eye Clinic data breach occurred due to a cybersecurity incident that initially manifested as a network disruption.

The clinic first detected unusual activity on January 13, 2025, when they experienced disruptions across their network systems. Recognizing the potential security implications, Columbia Eye Clinic engaged external cybersecurity specialists to investigate the incident. Their investigation revealed that between January 9, 2025, and January 13, 2025, an unauthorized actor had gained access to specific files within the clinic's IT infrastructure.

The compromised files contained confidential patient information including names, contact information, dates of birth, procedure codes, and other details necessary for obtaining pre-approval for various eye-related procedures. Upon discovering the extent of the breach, Columbia Eye Clinic conducted a comprehensive review of the affected files to identify which patients' information had been exposed.

Data breach letters were sent out by Columbia Eye Clinic on March 14, 2025, informing affected individuals about the nature of the incident and the specific categories of their personal information that were compromised.

Steps To Take If You Were Affected By A Data Breach

1. Monitor all accounts and credit reports closely
   1. Set up alerts for suspicious activity
   2. Review all financial statements thoroughly
   3. Request free credit reports and examine them for unauthorized entries
      
      
2. Consider freezing your credit
   1. Contact all three major credit bureaus to place a freeze
   2. Understand this prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
   3. Remember to temporarily lift the freeze when applying for legitimate credit
      
      
3. Look out for phishing attempts using information from the Columbia Eye Clinic data breach
   1. Be wary of unexpected emails or messages claiming to be from Columbia Eye Clinic
   2. Don't click on suspicious links or download unexpected attachments
   3. Verify all communications through official channels
      
      
4. Change passwords for affected accounts
   1. Create strong, unique passwords for each account
   2. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters
   3. Consider using a password manager for better security
      
      
5. Enable two-factor authentication where possible
   1. Add this extra layer of security to all important accounts
   2. Use authenticator apps rather than SMS when available
   3. Keep backup codes in a secure location

For more detailed guidance, explore our “Guide for Victims of a Data Breach” to better understand measures you can take to protect yourself after a data breach.

Columbia Eye Clinic Overview

Columbia Eye Clinic operates as a medical practice specializing in ophthalmological services in Columbia, South Carolina. The clinic functions as a comprehensive eye care provider offering both diagnostic and treatment services for various ocular conditions.

Established as a specialized medical practice, Columbia Eye Clinic maintains multiple examination rooms, diagnostic equipment stations, and treatment areas within their facilities. Their service offerings encompass routine eye examinations, specialized diagnostics for conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, surgical interventions including cataract procedures, and ongoing care for chronic eye conditions.

The clinic's organizational structure includes ophthalmologists with various subspecialty certifications, optometrists, clinical technicians, administrative personnel, and support staff. With approximately 114 employees, the practice operates with specialized departments handling different aspects of patient care and administration. Financial data indicates the clinic generates approximately $5 million in annual revenue through its medical services.

Columbia Eye Clinic Data Breach Victims Have Rights - Don’t Wait to Act

How do you know that you were affected by the Columbia Eye Clinic data breach? Usually victims receive a NOTICE OF DATA BREACH in the mail, but the impact of a breach can be felt long before notices are sent to those affected. This can be in the form of fraudulent financial activity and other forms of identity theft.

If you believe you were affected, we encourage you to reach out to our data breach law firm for legal assistance through a no-cost consultation about your situation. We will review your eligibility to file a data breach class action lawsuit and discuss your legal rights and any compensation that may be available to you.

Complete our confidential contact form below and a member of our legal team will be in touch.