Data breach claims are on the rise according to North West based Hayes Connor Solicitors, as the firm reports securing significant sums for victims whose personal information has been compromised leading to financial loss and psychological injury.
The firm has seen an increase in enquiries post GDPR as awareness of consumer rights grows, revealing that it has successfully recovered thousands of pounds to compensate victims for actual, and potential, financial losses and emotional distress.
Kingsley Hayes, managing director at data breach and cyber security specialist Hayes Connor Solicitors, said: "Our recent successes include securing £3,500 for a client after a retailer failed to erase private information, including some bank details, from his games console before it was sold on. This is a pertinent example given how often devices such as laptops, mobile phones and games consoles are replaced.
"We are committed to helping protect consumer rights and are working with Victim Support to help those affected by cyber crime and data breaches. Consumers are now more aware of where their personal information is held, how their data should and, more importantly, shouldn't be used and what they can do if an organisation has failed to protect their personal information.
"The consequences of a breach can have serious implications for victims. We assess each claim on an individual basis considering both the actual, and potential, risk of financial loss. We also look at the psychological impact which can often be overlooked.
"Every individual will have their personal information held by multiple organisations as private data is widely shared to carry out day-to-day activities such as purchasing or enquiring about products and services, receiving medical treatment or through employment or job searches.
"Each claim is potentially worth thousands of pounds in compensation and more people are seeking redress following a breach. Headline grabbing cyber attacks mask the fact that 88 per cent of data breaches are a result of preventable human error.
"Private data can be very valuable if placed in the wrong hands. The subsequent losses, however, may not take place until several months later so victims are urged to report a data breach as soon as it is discovered to minimise the potential risks and act to recover the compensation that is rightly theirs."
Hayes Connor Solicitors represents hundreds of claimants seeking compensation following a data breach for the financial and psychological damage caused.
The firm is currently representing more than 200 claimants following the Dixons Carphone data breach.
Hayes Connor Solicitors issued a claim for damages of up to £5 million against ticketing giant Ticketmaster in the High Court in April and is also acting against Equifax, British Airways, Marriott International, Amazon and the Police Federation.
To read a step-by-step guide to making a data breach claim, visit the Hayes Connor Solicitors website.
