The Lister Fertility Clinic is facing serious backlash and legal action after a ransomware attack exposed highly sensitive patient information.

What happened in the Lister Fertility Clinic data breach?

In August 2021, cybercriminals targeted Stor-a-File Limited, the third-party document management provider used by Lister. In total, around 13 organisations were impacted by the Stor-a-file hack, of which six are healthcare-related. When the company refused to pay the ransom, hackers leaked tens of thousands of records onto the dark web. Patients were told about the breach later that year.

Lister Fertility Clinic data breach – at a glance

• Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in Stor-a-File’s security.
• They stole patient records, including fertility treatment data.
• When no ransom was paid, some stolen files were posted online.

While Lister claims its patients’ data has not yet been found on the dark web, the clinic admits that it could happen in the future.

What risks do patients face?

The leak of medical records is particularly dangerous because this type of sensitive information cannot be easily changed or replaced. Many affected patients now face long-term risks, including:

• Identity theft: If personal details such as names, addresses, and dates of birth have been exposed, criminals could use them to open fraudulent accounts or commit financial fraud.
• Medical fraud: Stolen health records could be misused for false insurance claims or to fraudulently obtain prescription medications in a victim’s name.
• Scams and phishing attacks: Cybercriminals may use stolen details to craft highly convincing emails or phone scams, tricking victims into providing even more sensitive data.
• Public exposure of private medical details: The most concerning risk is that deeply personal information – such as fertility treatment history – could be exposed without consent, potentially leading to distress, embarrassment, or reputational damage.

This breach has already caused significant anxiety for affected individuals. Patients should not have to worry about whether their medical history will be exposed to strangers online.

Lawyers have launched no-win, no-fee claims to help patients of the Lister Fertility Clinic data breach get compensation

Under UK data protection laws, organisations handling sensitive medical records have a legal duty to keep them secure. If they fail in this duty, affected individuals have the right to seek compensation. In response, legal experts have now taken action against Lister Fertility Clinic over its failure to properly secure patient data.

Patients whose information was exposed may be able to claim for:

• Emotional distress and anxiety caused by the data breach.
• The risk of fraud or identity theft due to their compromised personal information.
• The failure of Lister Fertility Clinic to protect their private medical data.

This legal action aims to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure compensation for patients who have suffered due to this breach.

Are you eligible to claim compensation?

At Join the Claim, we help affected individuals seek compensation for data breaches. If your sensitive information was compromised, you deserve justice.

Do not delay. Check your eligibility and take action today.