THIS INVESTIGATION IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS.
If You Got Notice of the
Easterseals Northeast Indiana data breach
STATUS: This investigation is no longer accepting new clients.
We are investigating data breach class action lawsuit claims relating to the Easterseals Northeast Indiana data breach—an event which exposed the private data of countless individuals. If you interacted with Easterseals Northeast Indiana, your information was probably taken by cybercriminals. That’s serious. They can take out credit cards in your name, get your tax return, take your identity and ruin your credit. If you were notified by Easterseals Northeast Indiana of this data breach, contact us fast. We can help.
About Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Cole & Van Note is investigating Easterseals Northeast Indiana, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. [1] The organization provides disability services, community support programs, and therapeutic resources to individuals and families throughout Northeast Indiana. [2] As part of delivering these services, the organization maintains records that may contain sensitive personal, medical, and insurance information related to the individuals and families it serves. Organizations that collect and store this type of information are responsible for implementing safeguards to ensure that highly sensitive personal and health-related data is protected from unauthorized access.
On February 13, 2026, Easterseals Northeast Indiana began notifying affected individuals that their data had been accessed during a cybersecurity incident that occurred on September 4, 2025. According to publicly available reports, the breach affected the private information of approximately 6,730 individuals, most of whom reside in Indiana. The incident involved unauthorized access to systems containing both personal and medical data, raising concerns about the potential misuse of highly sensitive information. [3]
Reporting surrounding the incident also indicates that a ransomware group known as INC RANSOM claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged that approximately 405 gigabytes of organizational data were exfiltrated. Incidents involving ransomware and data exfiltration are particularly serious, as they suggest that sensitive information may have been accessed, copied, and potentially retained by unauthorized parties. [4]
The types of information potentially exposed in this incident may include:
- Full names
- Contact information (such as addresses, phone numbers, and emails)
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Diagnostic and treatment information
- Health insurance information
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Considering the number of people impacted by this event, Cole & Van Note’s data breach attorneys will be pursuing legal action on behalf of those affected. If you have received notice of this data breach, you should contact us for immediate response.
Once you contact us...
- Review Your Breach Notice: Send us the Notice and then keep a copy for your records.
- Enroll in Credit Monitoring: Take advantage of any free services offered.
- Update Passwords: Change passwords and security questions for online accounts.
- Monitor Accounts: Regularly check statements and credit reports for signs of fraud.
- Request a Fraud Alert: Contact credit bureaus to add a temporary alert to your credit file.
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Join the Case
About Easterseals Northeast Indiana
Cole & Van Note is investigating Easterseals Northeast Indiana, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. [1] The organization provides disability services, community support programs, and therapeutic resources to individuals and families throughout Northeast Indiana. [2] As part of delivering these services, the organization maintains records that may contain sensitive personal, medical, and insurance information related to the individuals and families it serves. Organizations that collect and store this type of information are responsible for implementing safeguards to ensure that highly sensitive personal and health-related data is protected from unauthorized access.
On February 13, 2026, Easterseals Northeast Indiana began notifying affected individuals that their data had been accessed during a cybersecurity incident that occurred on September 4, 2025. According to publicly available reports, the breach affected the private information of approximately 6,730 individuals, most of whom reside in Indiana. The incident involved unauthorized access to systems containing both personal and medical data, raising concerns about the potential misuse of highly sensitive information. [3]
Reporting surrounding the incident also indicates that a ransomware group known as INC RANSOM claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged that approximately 405 gigabytes of organizational data were exfiltrated. Incidents involving ransomware and data exfiltration are particularly serious, as they suggest that sensitive information may have been accessed, copied, and potentially retained by unauthorized parties. [4]
The types of information potentially exposed in this incident may include:
- Full names
- Contact information (such as addresses, phone numbers, and emails)
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Diagnostic and treatment information
- Health insurance information
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Considering the number of people impacted by this event, Cole & Van Note’s data breach attorneys will be pursuing legal action on behalf of those affected. If you have received notice of this data breach, you should contact us for immediate response.
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How Data Breaches Occur
Data breaches happen in various ways. Common methods include:
- Phishing Attacks: Deceptive emails which trick authorized users into providing sensitive information like passwords to criminals.
- Malware: Malicious software, such as viruses or ransomware, is used to infiltrate systems and steal or encrypt data.
- Weak Passwords: Using easily guessable or outdated passwords make it easy for hackers to gain access.
- Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Failing to update software can leave known security gaps that attackers can exploit.
- Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with access to sensitive data may compromise security.
- Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information.
- Data/Device Theft: Physical theft of devices, such as laptops or external drives, which grant access.
Why Companies Need to be Held Liable
Corporations will tell you they are the “victims” in data breaches. Not so. Those who suffer after a data breach are those who have lost their privacy, their money, their peace of mind. When inadequate cybersecurity measures have led to a data breach, the law says you can sue for money damages under many theories, such as:
- Negligence;
- Breach of Implied or Express Contract;
- Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing;
- State law claims such as the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 56, et seq.), California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750, et seq.), California Information Practices Act of 1977 (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1798, et seq.), California Consumer Records Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1798.80, et seq.) and California’s Unfair Competition Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200, et seq.)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act.
How Data Breaches Occur
Data breaches happen in various ways. Here’s a general overview of common methods:
- Phishing Attacks: Deceptive emails which trick authorized users into providing sensitive information like passwords to criminals.
- Malware: Malicious software, such as viruses or ransomware, is used to infiltrate systems and steal or encrypt data.
- Weak Passwords: Using easily guessable or outdated passwords make it easy for hackers to gain access.
- Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Failing to update software can leave known security gaps that attackers can exploit.
- Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with access to sensitive data may compromise security.
- Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information.
- Data/Device Theft: Physical theft of devices, such as laptops or external drives, which grant access.
Why Companies Need To Be Held Liable
Corporations will tell you they are the “victims” in data breaches. Not so. Those who suffer after a data breach are those who have lost their privacy, their money, their peace of mind. When inadequate cybersecurity measures have led to a data breach, the law says you can sue for money damages under many theories, such as:
- Negligence;
- Breach of Implied or Express Contract;
- Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing;
- State law claims such as the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 56, et seq.), California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750, et seq.), California Information Practices Act of 1977 (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1798, et seq.), California Consumer Records Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1798.80, et seq.) and California’s Unfair Competition Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200, et seq.)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Final Thoughts
People don’t take data breaches as seriously as they should. But you should. As such, for more details and updates about data breaches, visit our Data Breach Law page. But please don’t wait until your information is sold or used to get informed or to call us.
Thereafter, check out additional resources such as our Hacker Checker, the HIPAA Journal and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you’re still interested, let us direct you to the information you need.
Finally, don’t forget about us if you experience issues relating to data breaches, false advertising/consumer fraud and product liability/defective products claims. Whether you’re confident you have a claim, want fast compensation or just want some friendly advice, it is worth your time to talk with us. Our staff is approachable, knowledgeable and can work with you, free of charge, to meet your unique needs.
Final Thoughts
For more details and updates about data breaches, visit our Data Breach Law page. People don’t take data breaches as seriously as they should. Don’t wait until your information is sold or used to make a phone call.
Additional resources include our Hacker Checker, the HIPAA Journal and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Let us direct you to the information you need.
Finally, don’t forget about us if you experience issues relating to data breaches, false advertising or consumer fraud and product liability/defective products claims. Whether you’re confident you have a claim, want fast compensation or just want some friendly advice, it is worth your time to talk with us. Our staff is approachable, knowledgeable and can work with you, free of charge, to meet your unique needs.