Failing to disposal of sensitive data: compensation

Any failure in respect of the proper disposal of sensitive data could constitute a breach of the GDPR. This could allow anyone whose information has been misused or exposed to claim compensation on a no Win, No Fee basis.

At Your Lawyers, as Leading Data Leak Lawyers, we are used to representing people in matters where information has been subject to an avoidable breach. The first place to start to find out if we could help you with a legal case is to contact us for free, no-obligation legal advice here now.

The importance of proper disposal of sensitive data

The importance of the proper disposal of sensitive information cannot be understated. If data is left abandoned or has not been properly disposed of, and the result is that it is misused or exposed, it may be the case that the organisation responsible for it has been negligent and is in breach of the GDPR.

Depending on the nature of the information that has been misused or exposed could depend on the impact on any victims whose personal information has been affected by the breach. Medical or financial data, as two examples, could cause significant distress and even financial losses if anyone falls victim to some form of fraud or theft incident.

Ultimately, there is no excuse for any failure in respect of the improper disposal of sensitive data. Such matters can be a clear breach of the GDPR, which could then allow any victims whose information has been misused or exposed to claim GDPR compensation.

A recent relevant media story

A potentially relevant media story that might relate to a failure in respect of the improper disposal of sensitive information was one that involves the Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust.

According to media reports, a pupil brought some paper to be used as drawing paper at school, but the paper in question was not just simply scrap paper or plain paper. It is understood that the paper actually contained the details of some 150 patients, and a probe was subsequently opened in respect of how the child came to be in possession of the paper documents in the first place.

Whilst we do not know all the details, if it is the case that this has arisen from any failure to properly dispose of what may have been very sensitive medical information, there is clearly a problem that needs to be appropriately dealt with.

Claiming GDPR breach compensation

You could be eligible to claim GDPR breach compensation if you have suffered distress or loss as a result of your information being misused or exposed.

In most cases, people will claim for just the distress, which can be significant if particularly personal and sensitive information has been affected by a breach. As leading privacy compensation experts, our average settlement in damages alone is just over £6,000, and that is mostly for individual clients who are pursuing distress claims. As such, it is well worth your time pursuing a legal case.

You can benefit from free, no-obligation legal advice from our team by speaking to us here now about what has happened. We can usually tell you quickly if your case is one that we can help you with.

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