Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans Use VA Lawsuit to Help Other Veterans in Need

May 2, 2010 - An employee of The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had his laptop stolen in 2006. That laptop housed the personal information of approximately 20 million veterans. In response, those 20 million veterans sued the VA and argued the VA did not do enough to protect their information once the VA realized information as sensitive as what was contained on the laptop was missing.

The veterans won their suit and settled their immense identity-theft class-action suit for $20 million. Now the veterans involved in the class action lawsuit are using their lawsuit compensation to help other veterans in need of essential services. A group of veterans involved in the suit are donating almost $13 million to 2 New York charities:

• The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund; and
• The Fisher House Foundation.

 The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund raises funds for those families who have lost soldiers in combat. Beyond that, they aided in the construction of San Antonio's very prominent Brooke Army Medical Center and the National Intrepid Center for Excellence which treats traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Bethesda, MD which is set to open soon.

The Fisher Houses are located next to VA hospitals. Currently there are 45 houses that provide housing to family members of wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the VA hospital.

Many organizations that help veterans are also run by veterans because they truly understand what it is like to work within the VA system, what areas are lacking, and which groups need the most help. Donating this settlement is a wonderful gesture that shows the sense of community between the heroes that fought for our country.