Kaiser Settles for $49 Million Over Illegal Waste Disposal and Patient Data Breach

Kaiser Permanente has agreed to a $49 million settlement after an investigation found that the healthcare giant illegally disposed of hazardous medical waste and exposed patient information in unsecured dumpsters. The settlement requires Kaiser to take significant steps to prevent future unlawful dumping. The investigation, conducted by the California attorney general and six district attorney offices, discovered hazardous waste items and confidential patient files in inspections of 16 Kaiser facilities statewide. Kaiser faces a $1.75 million penalty if adequate measures are not taken within five years.