TENNESSEE STOLEN COMPUTER COULD COST BILLIONS IF CLASS ACTION SUIT SUCCEEDS WREG-TV Memphis - Lifeblood Lawsuit Could Cost Billions

Lifeblood Lawsuit Could Cost Billions

FAST FACTS:

• Lawsuit filed against Lifeblood
• Plaintiff attorney hoping to get $600,000 per plaintiff
• Hopes judge will allow class action suit

omari.fleming@wreg.com

(Memphis 2/19/2008) "All I want to do is see that there's some justice done here," exclaims attorney Charles Curbo. And according to Curbo, the price of justice is 192-billion dollars.

That's how much he wants Lifeblood to pay his clients in what he hopes will become a class action lawsuit. If you're thinking that price tag is a bit steep. Curbo says think again. "What's an outlandish sum when those planes ran into the trade towers. What's an outlandish sum for that."

Curbo calls the recent computer theft at Lifeblood a matter of national security. Two laptop computers stolen from inside a storage facility at Lifeblood contained information on more than 320-thousand local donors. Names, addresses, driver's license numbers, even social security numbers.

"You got terrorists and stuff who could take this information and print up passports or anything you want. We're talking homeland security implications."

The computer theft happened in January, but Lifeblood waited six weeks before sending a letter to donors alerting them about the theft.

"I don't believe they're negligent, I know they're negligent."

Lifeblood officials say they've stepped up security measures. They're even offering free 12-month credit monitoring to donors. "I don't think that covers Al Quida," said Curbo.