Stress, anxiety or financial loss
following a data breach?
We listen. We care. We win.
Stress, anxiety or financial loss
following a data breach?
We listen. We care. We win.
Stress, anxiety or financial loss
following a data breach?
We listen. We care. We win.
In the peak age of social media and technology, data breaches have become an increasingly discussed topic in the news. In 2017, data was officially considered the world’s most valuable commodity, surpassing even oil, but what exactly does data breach mean?
A data breach is a security incident in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, sold or used by an individual unauthorised to do so. A data breach could include; your medical records being sent to the wrong person which causes you stress and embarrassment or data that a company holds for you online being accessed by criminals to be used for fraud causing you stress, worry and financial loss.
There is value in your data and after a breach, you may be targeted by hundreds of junk and spam mail causing you stress and inconvenience.
By law, any company that has suffered a data breach where your data has been compromised is required to write to you and inform you that they have breached your data. If the company is public then the ICO will report the breach on their website too.
Since dealing with data breach claims, we have seen first-hand the effects of lost or stolen data. Often, the full impact of the data breach isn’t apparent until a few months after the loss, with financial losses usually occurring three to six months later.
Not sure if you have suffered a data breach? There are a range of data loss scenarios, for which you can claim compensation, including:
Often, the majority of data losses occur by human error. With data storage online becoming commonplace for organisations, concerns about cybercrime and the misuse of personal data are on the rise.
Thankfully, legislation exists to protect you.
Makes it an offence to
send communications
with the intent to
cause distress.
Regulates the use of personal data for all individual citizens of the EU and the EEA.
Establishes creative work as copyrighted and therefore illegal to use without permission.
Makes it an offence to commit fraud, hack, blackmail or install malware via a computer system.
Controls how personal data is used by organisations, businesses or the government.
Both individuals and companies can make a data breach claim for compensation. To claim compensation you must be able to prove that you suffered as a result of the data protection breach. You can claim for both damages and distress.
The limitation period for making a data protection claim is currently six years. This means that all breaches of data going back six years are now potentially subject to a claim. With strict time limits in place, it’s important to act now.
CEL Solicitors operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means that your legal costs will be deducted from the compensation you receive. If your claim is not successful you don’t pay a penny. Our expert, friendly team can provide guidance on the best possible route for you.
Since dealing with data breach claims, we have seen first-hand the effects of lost or stolen data. Often, the full impact of the data breach isn’t apparent until a few months after the loss, with financial losses usually occurring three to six months later.
CEL Solicitors recently acted for a domestic abuse victim who suffered a serious data breach after her building society disclosed details of
A mother has been awarded £2,500 in compensation after a medical report, containing sensitive information about her child’s medical condition, mental health
