On September 7, 2017, Kaplan Fox brought a proposed class action lawsuit against health-insurer Aetna and its affiliates in federal court in San Francisco, California. The lawsuit alleges that Aetna and its business partners ran afoul of state and federal privacy laws by sending a mailing to 12,000 patients receiving medications for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The lawsuit alleges that the mailing unlawfully disclosed the patients’ HIV status to the patients’ roommates, family members, and letter carriers when a mailing marked with certain information about the program and the term “HIV Medications” was visible without opening the envelope.
In the case, Plaintiff John Doe alleges that Aetna’s conduct violated federal requirements regarding medical privacy and also specific California state laws prohibiting the disclosure of a person’s HIV status and medical information. The complaint seeks monetary damages and other relief to ensure similar mailings do not occur in the future.
Kaplan Fox has extensive experience representing patients in cases alleging that their medical information was wrongfully disclosed or stolen against hospitals, insurers, and healthcare conglomerates. Kaplan Fox’s dedication to protecting patients’ rights has resulted in a number of notable court rulings and has recovered millions of dollars in benefits that held companies accountable for their misconduct. If you would like more information about our case against Aetna, Case No. 3:17-cv-05191, fill out the form below or contact us toll-free at 1-844-333-7660.