George Floyd's family has been informed that his medical records at Hennepin County Medical Center were breached multiple times after his death. Floyd's family lawyer announced the incident to CBS News, saying the family received a letter from the medical center notifying them of the breaches.
“Floyd’s family and attorneys were recently notified of the data breach of George Floyd’s confidential information by Hennepin County Medical Center,” attorney Antonio Romanucci. “The letter stated that there were breaches of his data on multiple dates and that the employees involved are no longer with the organization.”
Floyd was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center the night he died, according to CBS Minnesota. The letter was first reported by the Associated Press.
Romanucci said that the letter did not reveal which information had been leaked, nor did it specify whether the involved employees were fired or resigned.
According to him, the family has not yet requested evidence, nor has it filed any lawsuit related to the letter, but added that the lawyers «examine all possibilities» to address the breaches.
“When George Floyd was desperate for breath, the city of Minneapolis squeezed even harder on his throat,” he said. “And even after his death, he was abused and exploited by the system.”
The Hennepin County Medical Center did not confirm that Floyd's data had been breached, citing patient confidentiality, but stated that “any breach of patient confidentiality is taken seriously and thoroughly. If it is found that a breach has occurred, disciplinary action up to and including termination of cooperation may be imposed.”
George Floyd was an African American who died on May 25, after a police officer pressed his neck for more than seven minutes with his knees. Four officers were fired and charged with his death, which sparked a storm of reactions and ignited months of protests nationwide.
