Paul v. Providence Health System

Represented Providence Health System against a putative class action. Plaintiffs alleged that the theft of unencrypted backup tapes and optical discs from the car of an employee was negligent and a violation of the Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act. Plaintiffs sought to certify the case on behalf of a class of 365,000 current and former patients whose patient information was stored on the stolen material. The court granted a motion to dismiss with prejudice and all claims were dismissed. Dismissal was affirmed by the Oregon Court of Appeals and by the Oregon Supreme Court, 273 P.3d 106 (February 24, 2012).