Data Breach Lawyers

How Much Compensation Do You Get for Breach of Privacy?

Data breach settlements and verdicts have yielded millions of dollars for those impacted, including high-profile results like:

• $700 million from Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States, after a breach that leaked the identifying information of over 43 million Americans (their names, birth dates,  phone numbers, and social security numbers)
• $500 million from Facebook for a data breach that compromised the personal information of over 50 million users
• $117.5 million from Yahoo in a class-action lawsuit regarding a hack that affected tens of millions of user accounts

Numerous major companies have had to pay for data breaches, including Home Depot ($19.5 million to consumers), Sony ($15 million after a PlayStation data breach), and Target ($10 million).

Credit agencies, social media companies, and online retailers have all been successfully sued for millions due to their negligence with cybersecurity. See the FAQs for a fuller list of vulnerable industries.

No industry is safe from data breach attacks, but all can be held responsible for leaving your data vulnerable. Our case results at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann show our proven experience in securing wins against large companies on behalf of our clients.

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Can I Sue for a Data Breach?

Yes, if your digital information has been compromised, you may have the option to sue for a data breach.

Here are examples of the types of damages you can file a case over:

• Fraudulent misuse of data: If your data was accessed and then used to open credit accounts, steal goods or services, or cheat tax laws, that is strong evidence of damage done to your name and credit score.
• Heightened risk and damage reduction costs: If your data has been leaked but there is not yet evidence of fraudulent misuse, courts have ruled that the increased risk gives you the right to file suit. Any time or money spent freezing or monitoring your credit accounts for fraudulent activity are losses you could have compensated.
• Emotional distress: Once your data has been compromised, it can never be uncompromised. That means a lifetime of increased vigilance, and potentially repeated instances of identity theft that you have to report to the police and resolve personally with defrauded companies. This causes persistent psychological stress and fear that could have been prevented.

If your personal data has been breached, it could change the course of your life in negative ways. You may lose out on the purchase of your first home or business if your credit history is damaged due to identity theft. You may be on the phone arguing with collections agencies for years to come, explaining over and over again that you were the victim of identity theft. You may need to move to protect your physical safety if your address is revealed to those who wish to do you harm.

These are just some of the serious consequences of data breaches. It’s not fair that you are left with the responsibility of cleaning up someone else’s mistake. Contact an attorney at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann by calling (205) 322-8880 to hold the real wrongdoers accountable.

Once your data has been compromised, it can never be uncompromised. The harm caused by one data breach can lead to life-long expenses and hardships. Hold companies accountable for what their carelessness has done.