Council data breaches and the GDPR

The GDPR can apply for council data breaches that have taken place after the new laws came into force in May 2018, and we represent clients for cases on a No Win, No Fee basis.

These kinds of cases are one of the most common types of claims that we deal with when it comes to individual legal cases. The impact for the victim given the nature of the information that local authorities can hold can be substantial, so it’s important that victims have a voice for justice.

Here’s some guidance about when you may be able to claim, how the GDPR can allow you to receive compensation, and speaking to our team for information about our No Win, No Fee representation.

Compensation for council data breaches

Claiming compensation for council data breaches can be important to make sure that the victims receive some form of justice when information has been misused or exposed.

Councils and local authority agencies often hold hat we may see as the full range of information about a person. It can include the usual personal data as well as financial information for council tax purposes. It may also include medical data and sensitive domestic information used for things like social services matters or for blue badge requirements.

If a breach took place prior to the GDPR coming into force, you may still be eligible for compensation under the old Data Protection Act 1998 that came before it.

How the GDPR allows you to claim

The GDPR can allow victims of council data breaches to receive compensation for:

• The distress suffered by the loss of control of personal information; and
• Loses and expenses.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to have suffered an actual financial loss, or paid any expenses out, to be able to claim. Your legal case can be just for the distress alone, and this can be substantial given the nature of the information as outlined above. In many cases, victims can be entitled to thousands of pounds for the distress, and the amount can depend on things like the nature of the data involved and how this has affected you.

If we consider that there has been a breach of the GDPR, we may be able to represent you for a legal case on a No Win, No Fee basis. We offer to work this way when we are confident that there is a good enough chance of being able to secure compensation for you. We’re huge believers in access to justice which is why we work this way as we wouldn’t want anyone to miss their opportunity for justice over worries about the “what ifs” of a claim not succeeding.

Free, no-obligation advice today

Our team is more than happy to offer you free, no-obligation advice about council data breaches and whether you could be entitled to claim compensation.

We can assess the potential case and confirm if we think there has been a breach of the GDPR and, if we think there has, we should be able to take your case forward for you right away.