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On Friday, February 3, 2023, a primary hospital system in northern Florida informed staff that they would be diverting some emergency room patients as well as canceling all nonessential surgeries after the hospital's system experienced a security problem with their information technology.
Representatives from The Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Facility said the issues had begun affecting its systems late Thursday night and had forced the hospital to shut down its IT network. According to their findings, all fingers pointed to this being a ransomware attack. However, the hospital has yet to characterize it as such, instead labeling it an "IT security issue."
As mentioned previously in a statement from the hospital, all non-emergency patient appointments or procedures have been canceled or rescheduled, and some of the patients that were in the emergency rooms at the time have been diverted. While many of the emergency room patients have been moved, the hospital currently has no plans to move their other patients to other facilities.
What Does This Mean for My Information?
According to the hospital's website, the hospital, headquartered in Tallahassee, provides healthcare across 21 counties in northern Florida and parts of southern Georgia as well. On the hospital's blog, a representative said that they have been working closely with law enforcement to better understand how this possible ransomware attack happened and what information, if any, was stolen.
"This is an active, ongoing investigation," the blog states. "We contacted law enforcement when this incident occurred, and we continue to work with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. We are also working with third-party experts to assist in the investigation." While things are still uncertain, the hospital says it is unclear when it will be safe to have their systems back up and running.
Emsisoft, a New Zealand-based anti-virus software distribution company, said over the last year, there have been 25 reports of ransomware attacks involving hospitals or hospital systems--a growing and valid concern for those patients and medical staff alike. For more updates regarding the status of the hospital systems, you can read more on their blog here.
How Can a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Help My Case?
After a ransomware attack talking to an attorney can help you ensure that you are protected in the event that the worst-case scenario happens. At Morgan & Morgan, our ransomware attack attorneys know precisely how to handle these kinds of cases thanks to their years of experience and vast resources that only our law firm can provide. When working with you, your attorney will help you decide your case's best course of action and understand your rights. Most importantly, our team will be there for you 24/7, fighting for you to ensure you have the best shot at receiving the best compensation possible that you deserve after your information has been stolen.
Contact a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Today
When you or a family member are injured or need to have an emergency medical procedure performed, the last thing you or your loved ones should be worried about is if your personal information is on the line. With over 35 years of experience and over 1,000 attorneys and staff, our law firm is ready to help defend you against those hackers who would wish to put you in harm's way.
Often, after people have fallen victim to ransomware attacks, they forget to or simply do not seek out help from an attorney due to a multitude of reasons. One of the more common reasons is the concern about the cost; many fear the idea that they will have to spend a lot of money on legal services while uncertain of the outcome of their case.
While it is true that some attorneys bill by the hour, at Morgan & Morgan, we pride ourselves in being accessible for the people. When you decide to hire one of our ransomware attorneys, we'll work with you on a contingency fee arrangement, meaning you do not have to worry about paying out of pocket for our services before, during, or after your case. Under this agreement, your attorney will only receive payment if we win your case, and the fee will only come out of the final award or court verdict.
Don’t wait to reach out for help. For more information regarding the possible ransomware attack and if you or your loved ones have been affected, connect with one of our attorneys by completing our free no-obligation case evaluation form today. See why millions trust Morgan & Morgan.