Judge consolidates class‑action cases against Cumberland County Hospital, appoints interim class counsel

In a multi‑party matter the court approved consolidation of actions against Cumberland County Hospital and granted plaintiffs’ motion to appoint interim class counsel. Local counsel for the hospital appeared and informed the court that lead counsel was participating by Zoom; plaintiffs’ attorneys described the case as one of many recent medical‑provider data breaches and urged discovery will be complex and lengthy.

The judge asked counsel to submit an agreed order formalizing consolidation; with no objection from the hospital’s counsel the court approved consolidation and the appointment of interim class counsel. Plaintiffs’ counsel said the complaint alleges exposure of protected health information that could lead to identity theft and other harms, and warned this type of litigation often requires technical and expert discovery. The court noted it expects substantial discovery and expert involvement and advised counsel to prepare schedules that could extend beyond a year.

The ruling consolidates claims for pretrial purposes, authorizes interim class counsel to coordinate discovery and set a path for expert retention, and signals an extended timetable for resolving claims related to the breach. The court asked parties to exchange positions and an agreed order and noted familiarity with these kinds of class cases across jurisdictions.