Medical data storage breaches

Any incidents involving medical data storage breaches can be serious, and they can easily happen as more and more of the healthcare sector is digitised and is accessible online.

It goes without saying that any and all data should be stored safely and securely, especially when it can be accessible online. Different organisations (be they Trusts, GPs, or insurers) that are involved in the healthcare sector may store data in different ways. Some may do it themselves, and some may use third-party hosting services. But whatever the services used, protection must be the priority.

If a medical data breach occurs as a result of a storage incident, victims should know that they can be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Claiming compensation for medical data storage breaches

Victims whose personal and sensitive healthcare information has been misused or exposed as a result of medical data storage breaches can be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Ultimately, whoever is in charge of the data can be liable for case. However, where third-party outsourcing is used, those companies can also be responsible in terms of a case as well. But either way, the victims are entitled to seek justice.

If the breach has occurred due to something like a lack of (or inadequate) security, a lack of encryption, or where access is not isolated and controlled properly, a legal case can arise. When we establish negligence is when we are able to successfully pursue a medical data breach compensation claim.

A recent example of this is the scandal involving some 13,000 medical images for around 1,500 NHS patients reportedly being found unprotected on the internet. The discovery triggered an internal NHS investigation and an ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) investigation when six UK servers containing CT, X-Ray and MRI images were said to be viewable by anyone with a web browser. Anyone who has been affected by this should contact our team immediately.

What can you claim for?

Incidents involving medical data storage breaches can be catastrophic for the victims.

Medical data is one of the most personal and sensitive kinds of information that there is, and people want it kept private for a reason. Any misuse or exposure – and subsequent loss of control – of this kind of data can be incredibly distressing, and compensation amounts and pay-outs for these kinds of case reflect just how severe they can be.

Remember: you don’t have to have suffered a financial loss to be able to bring a legal case. Healthcare data breach compensation claims can be based solely on the distress that has been caused, and you could be entitled to receive thousands of pounds in damages.

What to do

Victims of medical data storage breaches should never suffer in silence. We can help you make a claim for compensation on a No Win, No Fee basis, and you can speak to our team now for free, no-obligation advice.

Medical data incidents are one of the most common types of cases that we deal with given how common they can occur. Thousands of people have come to us for our expert help over the many years we have been fighting for the rights of data breach victims, and we may be able to help you too.

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