A settlement in the case of Batin et al. v. Akeela, Inc. related to a June 2023 data breach has received preliminary approval from the Superior Court for Anchorage, Alaska.
Case Background and Procedural History
The litigation follows a previously reported agreement to resolve a class action lawsuit against HIPAA-covered Akeela, Inc. concerning a data security incident that occurred in June 2023. In the earlier case, the plaintiff Jessica McRorie needed to seek preliminary approval of class certification before July 18, 2025. Before that date, the plaintiff dismissed her complaint without prejudice and joined a separate action with identical allegations. The Batin et al. v. Akeela, Inc. case has now reached a settlement stage with the preliminary approval from the Superior Court for Anchorage, Alaska.
Plaintiffs and Allegations
The plaintiffs in the case include Jessica McRorie, Jane Doe, Elynnie Batin, Andrew Metcalf, Rocky Hawley, Thomas Maxim, and Kathleet Yarr. The complaint alleges that Akeela, Inc. failed to adequately secure its network, which enabled cybercriminals to access sensitive data.
The exposed data is identified as names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and medical diagnosis and treatment information. The plaintiffs attribute the exposure of this information to alleged negligence by Akeela in safeguarding its systems.
Defendant Position
Akeela, Inc. denies the claims and disputes the allegations presented in the lawsuit. The company contests that any damages were sustained as a result of the data breach and challenges whether the case meets the requirements for class action certification or trial.
The settlement was reached to avoid continued litigation, which is described as potentially prolonged and costly, and to avoid uncertainty associated with trial proceedings.
Settlement Terms
The settlement provides limited benefits compared to other class action data breach resolutions. Class members are eligible to submit claims for two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. In addition, a pro rata cash payment is available.
The cash payments will be distributed from the remaining balance of a $50,000 settlement fund after deducting the costs associated with credit monitoring services. Attorneys’ fees and related expenses will be paid separately by Akeela and are not included in the settlement fund allocated to class members.
Deadlines and Court Schedule
The settlement establishes specific deadlines for class members and court proceedings. The deadline to file objections or request exclusion from the settlement is April 13, 2026. The deadline for submitting claims is May 25, 2026. A final approval hearing is scheduled for April 13, 2026.
