This guide aims to provide you with all of the information you may need to seek legal representation through data breach solicitors for Manchester based claims.
Data breach solicitors for Manchester based claims guide
We will explore what a personal data breach is, providing specific examples of how one could occur, as well as the eligibility criteria to seek data breach compensation. In addition to this, we will provide insight as to how one of our panel of data breach solicitors could assist you with your claim.
Furthermore, we will explore how much compensation you could be entitled to if your claim is successful. We will also talk about how you could strengthen your claim through gathering evidence and seeking legal advice.
You can also speak directly with an advisor from our team if you would like. They are available around the clock to offer you free legal advice and more help with your claim. To get in touch:
- Call 0333 241 2521
- ‘Make A Claim’ online
- Use our live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Choose A Section
- What Is A Personal Data Breach Claim?
- How Could Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester Help You Claim?
- What Are The Benefits Of Using Our Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester?
- When Are You Eligible To Make A Breach Of Data Protection Claim?
- How Much Compensation For A Data Breach? – Potential Compensation Payouts
- Potential Evidence In A Data Protection Breach Claim
- Learn More About How To Make A Data Protection Breach Claim With Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester
What Is A Personal Data Breach Claim?
A personal data breach can be defined as a security incident that involves your personal data being lost, altered, or destroyed either unlawfully or accidentally. This can also include personal data being disclosed or accessed without authorisation.
The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) work in conjunction with one another to protect personal data for UK residents, which is any information that could identify you. For example, this could include your:
- Name
- Home address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
Data controllers and data processors are the parties that handle your personal data. Controllers are in charge of how and why your data is used, and processors can be tasked with processing the data for the data controller. If failings on the part of either party lead to a personal data breach, you may be able to claim.
Our data breach solicitors for Manchester claims may be able to help you. Get in touch with our advisors today to learn more.
How Could Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester Help You Claim?
Claiming via a solicitor can take away much of the stress that is often associated with claiming. It can also strengthen your chances of your case being successful. This is because they can assist you with:
- Collecting evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Providing you with updates on the case
- Giving you an indication of what you could receive
- Giving you a realistic timescale of how long your claim could take
- Using their legal expertise to present and build your case
If you would like to see whether you have a valid claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch with an advisor from our team.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Our Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester?
Our panel of solicitors are may be able to help if you would like to make a personal data breach claim. They could provide their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This kind of No Win No Fee arrangement means that you typically do not have to pay for their services upfront, nor while your claim is in progress.
However, if your claim is a success, you will have to pay a success fee. This will be deducted from the compensation that you are awarded and capped by law, ensuring that you get the majority of your award.
Please speak with an advisor from our team to see whether you qualify to be represented on a No Win No Fee basis.
When Are You Eligible To Make A Breach Of Data Protection Claim?
To be able to make a data breach claim, your case has to meet certain eligibility criteria. There must have been wrongful conduct on behalf of the data controller or processor. Additionally, you must have suffered financial damage or psychological harm as a result of the breach.
In order to help you gauge the scenarios that may lead to a data protection breach claim, we have provided you with some examples:
- You might ask your employer for your wage slip which includes your bank data. When responding via email, they click “reply all” which sends these details to all employees at the company.
- Your GP may discuss your medical records with another member of the public without carrying out the necessary security checks, allowing an unauthorised party to learn about your medical conditions
- Due to not having the proper cybersecurity systems in place, an online shopping retailer is hacked. Subsequently, your personal details were exposed.
You may have been involved in a scenario similar to the examples above and are now wondering if you can claim compensation for a data breach. Please speak with our team for more details.
How Much Compensation For A Data Breach? – Potential Compensation Payouts
If your case is successful, the data breach compensation you will be awarded may comprise of two heads. Firstly, you could receive non-material damage compensation for any psychological harm that is caused as a result of the breach.
For example, if you suffer from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or general distress because of the breach, this could be reflected in your payout.
We have compiled a table of compensation amounts taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help you understand how much you could be awarded. The JCG is a document that is used by solicitors to help them calculate compensation by offering guideline settlement amounts.
However, these amounts should only be used as a rough guide. This is because each claim is unique and the settlement you could receive may differ.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric damage | Severe | £54,830 to £115,730 | There are considerable problems coping with areas, for example, work or education, due to an unsuccessful treatment, which causes a negative prognosis. |
| Psychiatric damage | Moderately Severe | £19,070 to £54,830 | Symptoms are similar to those above, though the prognosis is better. |
| Psychiatric damage | Moderate | £5,860 to £19,070 | Despite a better prognosis, there are still symptoms remaining. |
| Psychiatric damage | Less Severe | £1,540 to £5,860 | This bracket will be judged on the impact the data breach has on lifestyle as well as how long it takes to recover. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Severe | £59,860 to £100,670 | This bracket includes permanent symptoms which prevents the injured person from being involved in daily life or operating at a level similar to pre-trauma. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Moderately Severe | £23,150 to £59,860 | A better prognosis will be achieved with the assistance of a medical professional. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Moderate | £8,180 to £23,150 | Despite a near full recovery being made, there will still be some problems with everyday life. |
| Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Less Severe | £3,950 to £8,180 | A near-full recovery has been made within 1-2 years. |
When Can You Claim For Material Damage?
You could be awarded material damage compensation for any financial losses incurred due to the breach of data. This head of compensation could account for:
- Money stolen from your bank account
- Purchases made on your cards
- Damage to your credit score
- Therapy or counselling costs
To strengthen your chances of being reimbursed, you could collect evidence of these losses. We will expand on the benefits of evidence in the next section.
If you would like a personalised insight as to how much compensation you could be owed, please contact our advisors.
Potential Evidence In A Data Protection Breach Claim
You need to be able to prove that you sustained material or non-material damage to be able to claim. One way in which this can be done is by gathering evidence. This can include:
- Correspondence between yourself and the data controller or processor regarding the breach. This could include how it occurred and how you were impacted by it.
- Having any psychological injuries assessed by an independent medical professional
- Providing proof of any financial losses sustained via receipts, invoices, bank statements or credit score ratings
In terms of reporting the data breach, the data controller or processor will typically discover the issue and make you aware of it. However, if you discover it yourself, you should complain to them and find out specifically what personal data has been compromised
If you do not receive a response to your satisfaction within three months of your last communication with the organisation responsible for the breach, you can approach the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO are the UK’s independent watchdog that upholds data protection laws.
Therefore, if you would like to speak to one of data breach solicitors for Manchester claims, please get in touch with an advisor from our team.
Want To Know If You Can Claim For Data Breach Compensation? Contact Us For Free Today
Our team of advisors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer you free legal advice. Not only can they assess your eligibility to claim, but they can also connect you with one of our data breach solicitors for Manchester based claims.
To get in touch:
- Call us at 0333 241 2521
- ‘Make A Claim’ online
- Use our live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Learn More About How To Make A Data Protection Breach Claim With Data Breach Solicitors For Manchester
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Writer Beck Partner
Editor Cat Heart
