Litigation

The litigation attorneys at Houston Harbaugh, P.C., are accomplished business trial lawyers, providing comprehensive support in litigation across a broad spectrum of matters throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and other jurisdictions upon a special admission basis. Our clients are regional and national small, medium and large companies and individuals who seek well planned and aggressive, but cost effective litigation. We counsel, we budget, we have a deep bench, we act quickly when needed and we have experienced trial lawyers who know the courts and bench. We serve regularly as local counsel for some of the largest law firms in the country when they have matters in this region.

Breach of Personal Information Notification (BPIN) Act Amendment

Important amendments to Pennsylvania’s data breach law – the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act (the “Act”) – will take effect May 2, 2023. This is an important update to Pennsylvania data privacy laws as the legislature attempts to provide additional data protections to the Commonwealth’s citizens.

The Act requires notification to Pennsylvania residents whose personal information data was or may have been disclosed due to a breach of the security of a company’s or other entity’s system. Similar to other states’ data breach notification statutes, the amendment (in November) expanded the definition of “personal information.” This expanded definition includes medical and health information and a user name or email address in combination with a password or security questions and answers that would permit access to an online account.

These items now included in the definition of personal information are in addition to the categories of personal information that all states regulate – such as names in conjunction with driver’s licenses and social security numbers.

The Act defines a “breach of the security of the system” as “unauthorized access and acquisition of computerized data that materially compromises the security or confidentiality of personal information maintained by the entity as part of a database of personal information regarding multiple individuals . . ..”

As it stands today, the Act requires notification when a “discovery” has been made that there was a security breach. Beginning May 3, the Act will require notification when a “determination” of a breach has been made. According to the definitions included in the Act and amendment, a “discovery” occurs when the entity has “[t]he knowledge of or reasonable suspicion” that a breach has occurred, while a “determination” occurs when the entity has “[a] verification or reasonable certainty” that a breach has occurred. This is clearly a more “entity-friendly” version of the act, as the company is able to verify a breach before performing notifications.

As an additional improvement to the process of coordinating data reach responses, entities will now be allowed to provide email notice to affected data subjects when the breach involves a user name or email address, in combination with a password or a security question and answer, that could be used to allow access to an online account. An email notice will be permitted under these circumstances if the email directs the individual to promptly change his or her information or to take other appropriate steps to protect the individuals' online accounts.

In summary, the new amendment is an improvement for both companies and Pennsylvania citizens. The notification process is improved, as well as the fact that companies can now verify a breach before notification requirements set in. Should you need assistance in a breach or in preparation for a breach plan, please contact us at Houston Harbaugh.

About Us

The litigation attorneys at Houston Harbaugh, P.C., are accomplished business trial lawyers, providing comprehensive support in litigation across a broad spectrum of matters throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and other jurisdictions upon a special admission basis. Our clients are regional and national small, medium and large companies and individuals who seek well planned and aggressive, but cost effective litigation. We counsel, we budget, we have a deep bench, we act quickly when needed and we have experienced trial lawyers who know the courts and bench. We serve regularly as local counsel for some of the largest law firms in the country when they have matters in this region.

Henry Sneath Pittsburgh Business Litigation Lawyer. Pittsburgh Strong.® DTSALaw® Complex Case Mediation and ADR

Henry M. Sneath - Practice Chair

Co-Chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Litigation Practice, and Chair of its Intellectual Property Practice, Henry Sneath is a trial attorney, mediator, arbitrator and Federal Court Approved Mediation Neutral and Special Master with extensive federal and state court trial experience in cases involving commercial disputes, breach of contract litigation, intellectual property matters, patent, trademark and copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, DTSA claims, cyber security and data breach prevention, mitigation and litigation, probate trusts and estates litigation, construction claims, eminent domain, professional negligence lawsuits, pharmaceutical, products liability and catastrophic injury litigation, insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith claims.

Sam Simon Houston harbaugh lawyer

Samuel H. Simon - Practice Chair

As co-chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Litigation Group, Sam focuses his practice on commercial/business litigation. Sam regularly represents clients in the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and wholesale/retail/ distribution industries, as well as individuals in matters such as:

  • Construction litigation
  • Environmental litigation
  • Breach of contract disputes
  • Oil and gas litigation
  • Negligence
  • Restrictive covenants (non-compete agreements)
  • Civil rights
  • Collections/creditors’ rights
  • Lease disputes