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Bishop Grosseteste University Data Breach Compensation Claims Guide – How Much Compensation Can I Claim? – Amounts For Bishop Grosseteste University Data Breach

How To Make A Claim For A Data Breach By Bishop Grosseteste University

In this guide, we look at what is needed to prove data breach claims against Bishop Grosseteste University. If you have suffered as a result of a breach of your private information, you may consider taking legal action for the harm you can prove that you’ve endured. Whether someone deliberately causes a data breach or not, it can have damaging consequences. After all, a breach can expose your personal information, which could cause you to endure financial loss or impact your mental health.

data breach claims against Bishop Grosseteste University

Bishop Grosseteste University data breach claims guide

Throughout this guide, we will provide you with in-depth advice regarding compensation claims. We aim to provide you with a clear understanding of what data breaches are, how they are caused, what impact they can have and what action you could take.

Here at Legal Expert, we understand that the data breach claims process can appear complex and daunting—especially to those with no legal background. For that reason, our claims team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, if you happen to have any questions or concerns, give us a call on 0800 073 8804 to access free legal advice.

Select A Section

  1. A Guide To Data Breach Claims Against Bishop Grosseteste University
  2. What Is A Data Breach By Bishop Grosseteste University?
  3. How Universities Are Affected By GDPR Rules 
  4. Have Any Universities Been Affected By Data Breaches?
  5. How Have Universities Reported Data Breach Statistics?
  6. Data Stolen By Cyber Criminals
  7. How A Victim Of A Data Breach May Be Compensated
  8. Calculating Bishop Grosseteste University Data Breach Settlements
  9. How Could The Data Breach Claims Process Work?
  10. No Win No Fee Data Breach Claims Against Bishop Grosseteste University
  11. Speak To Our Data Breach Claims Team
  12. Related Resources 

A Guide To Data Breach Claims Against Bishop Grosseteste University

By law, businesses and organisations such as Bishop Grosseteste University should implement and carry out data protection measures when handling sensitive information. However, despite the introduction of legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (enacted into UK law by the Data Protection Act 2018), data breaches can still occur.

Throughout this guide, we aim to provide you with advice and will answer questions relating to the claims process. For example:

  • How are data breaches caused?
  • What complications could a data breach cause?
  • A malware error caused a data breach to result in a financial loss, what can I do?
  • Can a solicitor help me make a data breach claim?
  • Are there financially sound ways to fund the services of a solicitor?

By the end of this guide, we will have answered the questions listed above plus many others. However, please keep in mind that compensation claims take into account factors that can vary from case to case. Therefore, we have a team of advisers on-hand 24/7 to listen to your circumstances and discuss your case with you. 

When speaking to our team, you can access free legal advice and they’ll evaluate whether you have valid grounds to seek compensation. So, if you would like one of our professionals to assess your potential case, please call us on the number at the top of the page.

Time Limitation Period

For a solicitor to take on your claim, your case would have to meet specific criteria. For instance, your data breach claim would have to be made within the legal timeframe.

You would have 6 years to begin your claim if you have been affected by a data breach. However, it is imperative to remember that the limitation period can often differ. For instance, if a data breach happens to violate your human rights, you would have 1 year to begin your claim.

Should you fail to begin your compensation claim in time, then the eligibility of your claim would be affected. Therefore, if you are uncertain whether your claim meets the required limitation period, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Our advisers are well versed in the law, which means they can establish whether your case meets the required criteria.

What Is A Data Breach By Bishop Grosseteste University?

Put simply, a personal data breach occurs when a security breach leads to someone losing, altering, destroying, disclosing or accessing your personal information. This can be deliberate or accidental. A violation could lead to one of the following implications:

  • Identity fraud — this is when someone has enough information to act as if they are you.
  • Emotional damage — it is possible that you may suffer psychologically after a breach through, for example, loss of sleep, anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
  • Loss of privacy — this is when someone accesses your information, causing it to lose confidentiality.
  • Theft — someone could steal your financial data, which means they’d potentially have access to your account, could make a purchase on your behalf, or could take your money.

A data breach can be an invasive experience. Although laws aim to hold businesses accountable and promote safe cyber practices, unfortunately, there are circumstances where errors occur. For instance, if a Bishop Grosseteste University data breach were to occur, the following types of identifying information could be compromised:

  • Mobile numbers.
  • Email address.
  • Passwords.
  • Usernames.
  • Date of birth.
  • Home address.
  • Bank details.

Whether you’re a student, alumni or an employee, if the university holds your personal data you may have grounds to make a claim if a data breach causes you to suffer and you can prove this was the case. Under data protection law, organisations have a requirement to protect all private information—even once students and employees have parted from the organisation.

In the event that a data breach causes you to suffer, you do not have to sit in silence—you could have grounds to make a claim and seek justice. Please reach out and speak to one of our advisers to discover how a solicitor could offer to handle your case.

How Universities Are Affected By GDPR Rules

We previously touched upon the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its importance. Since the GDPR came into action, it has given individuals more control over their personal information and how companies can use and store it.

Under the GDPR, we have the following definitions:

  • The data subject — the individual whose information is being collected/processed.
  • Data controller — the organisation responsible for outlining what data they’ll process, how they’ll process it and why. 
  • Data processor — an organisation or agency responsible for processing data on behalf of the data controller.

In addition to the roles listed above, the GDPR lists some of the critical principles that data controllers must adhere to when processing/handling data. They should:

  • Process data transparently and in accordance with the law.
  • Keep data secure and confidential.
  • Keep data up to date.
  • Collect data for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes.
  • Only hold data that is relevant to their data collection purposes.
  • Keep it for no longer than is necessary.

Although the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 have created a strong foundation of rules for companies to abide by, there are unfortunate circumstances where breaches occur. So, if a data breach were to cause you to suffer, please speak to one of our advisers.

Have Any Universities Been Affected By Data Breaches?

Within this section of the guide to data breach claims against Bishop Grosseteste University, we look at university data breach cases.

General Statistics

A 2020 Redscan report following Freedom of Information requests found that 54% of the responding universities reported at least one data breach to the ICO in the 12 months before the study. The report also states that only 54% of staff received data security training. And one university had only trained 12% of its staff. 

Source: https://www.redscan.com/media/The-state-of-cyber-security-across-UK-universities-Redscan-report.pdf

University of Greenwich

In 2018, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined Greenwich university £120,000 due to a data breach. The ICO conducted an investigation into the university after attackers compromised a microsite developed by an academic and student. The site wasn’t closed or secured adequately, which allowed hackers to take advantage of the vulnerable site. They accessed the personal data of 19,500 people and posted it online. 

The fine the ICO gave the University of Greenwich serves, amongst other things, as a warning to other universities. Data breaches are serious and can have significant consequences for the individuals impacted. If you ever happen to be affected by a data breach, you could have grounds to make a claim and seek compensation for what you’ve endured.

How Have Universities Reported Data Breach Statistics?

We may think of breaches as technical errors. However, various factors could cause a violation to occur.

Data breaches can involve physical records as well as digital. For example, a breach could include the following:

  • Physical files left out within reach of the public.
  • An unauthorised party could access confidential information if a computer is left unattended.
  • Outdated or unsatisfactory security software could result in a hacker accessing private information.
  • An employee could send an email or a letter to the wrong person, exposing private information.
  • Weak passwords or credentials.
  • Phishing scams.

If a company is acting in violation of data protection law, you could raise a complaint with them. And if you have no luck with a response, you could then bring it to the attention of the ICO. We will explore ICO complaints in greater length in the following sections.

Data Stolen By Cyber Criminals

On finding out about a data breach, your university should conduct an internal investigation into it. If it’s significant enough, they have 72 hours to inform both the victims and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) of it. They’ll need to update the ICO on the progress of the investigation. 

If you believe that an organisation isn’t protecting personal data as it should under law, you can contact the ICO. However, they expect you to have contacted the organisation first. And, they suggest you raise your concerns within three months of the organisation’s final reply to your complaint. Should you wait any longer, then the ICO may reject your request. 

Please note that an ICO complaint cannot directly lead to compensation for the damages you’ve endured. The only way you can obtain compensation is by claiming against the university directly. Here at Legal Expert, we can connect you to a solicitor well versed in the claims process who can assist you throughout.

How A Victim Of A Data Breach May Be Compensated

If you happen to be affected by a data breach, you may question whether you could seek compensation for the harm you’ve endured. There are numerous factors to take into consideration when pursuing a data breach compensation claim. For instance, compensation can be divided into two categories:

  • Non-material damages — compensation for those who endure psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
  • Material damages —  for those who suffer financial loss due to a data breach.

In order for you to prove psychological harm, you will need to attend a medical assessment as part of your claim. When attending a medical examination, the professional conducting the evaluation will ask you several questions concerning your condition. They will also consider the severity of your injuries and determine whether there are any long-term implications.

Once they’ve completed the evaluation, they’ll create a report. If the report concludes that the data breach worsened (if not caused) your condition, a solicitor may use it to value and support your case. Here at Legal Expert, we can help organise a medical assessment with an impartial professional as close to your home as possible.

Calculating Bishop Grosseteste University Data Breach Settlements

A data breach can have a serious impact on you—it may result in various degrees of psychological harm and financial loss. Understandably, if you have suffered, you may question whether you could take legal action and seek compensation for any harm you’ve endured.

Before the case of Vidal-Hall and others v Google Inc [2015], courts didn’t take into consideration psychological injury stemming from a data breach unless a financial loss had occurred. Now, however, you can claim for both financial loss and psychological harm or either. The case established that non-material damage can be valued as it would in personal injury claims.

To illustrate potential compensation awards for mental suffering, we have included a table. Within the table, we have used figures from the Judicial College Guidelines to outline how the type of injury, its severity, and long-term implications can impact the amount awarded. (The Judicial College Guidelines is a regularly updated publication that lawyers may use to value injuries.)

Edit
Injury Severity Severity Amount Notes
Psychiatric Damage Generally Minor Up to £5,500 Minor symptoms that fully resolve in a short space of time.
Psychiatric Damage Generally Moderate £5,500 to £17,900 The person’s condition would have improved, but some implications may prevail.
Psychiatric Damage Generally Moderately Severe £17,900 to £51,460 Within this bracket, the individual would struggle to cope with life, education or work but the prognosis would be optimistic.
Psychiatric Damage Generally Severe £51,460 to £108,620 Severe trauma would have a serious impact on the individual, specifically with regard to work and relationships.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Moderate £7,680 to £21,730 With professional assistance, the affected person would make a good recovery.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Severe £56,180 to £94,470 Severe PTSD would have a long-lasting impact on the individual with a poor outlook for full recovery.

If you have suffered financially due to a data breach, then you should provide documentation to support your claim. You can provide various forms of documentation, such as:

  • Bank statements.
  • Credit scores.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to receive an estimated figure that is more aligned with your circumstances, please contact our team using the number at the top of the page.

How Could The Data Breach Claims Process Work?

If you choose to use a solicitor, finding the right one to handle your case is critical. A solicitor can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful claim. But how can you find the right data breach lawyer?

Many claimants take to the internet to seek out a solicitor. More specifically, they read reviews left by clients. By reading client reviews, you can gain a better understanding of the firm, the service they offer, and their success rate. You can also make a well-informed decision based on previous clients’ opinions, as they are often enlightening and informative. 

However, while we always recommend that you read reviews, we also suggest that you reach out and speak to an adviser before progressing with your case. By talking with an adviser, you can ask relevant questions to establish whether the solicitors have relevant experience handling cases similar to yours.

If you would like legal support when making a claim, we would be more than happy to connect you to a solicitor with relevant expertise and knowledge. All you have to do is reach out and contact our claims team. (We also have solid reviews for you to peruse if you’re not quite ready to make a decision. And you’re under no obligation to proceed with the services of our solicitors if you call our advisers for free legal advice.) 

No Win No Fee Data Breach Claims Against Bishop Grosseteste University

We receive a lot of questions concerning the claims process. Commonly, we hear questions from claimants that have funding concerns. Finding affordable legal representation can be a stressful experience, and that is why our solicitors offer a No Win No Fee service.

You might ask what is meant by a No Win No Fee agreement, how do they work, and how can they benefit you? Should a solicitor offer to take on your case, then you would have the following benefits:

  • If your case loses, you don’t have to pay your solicitor fees. 
  • You would agree to pay your solicitor a small success fee, capped by law, should they achieve a settlement for your case. The fee is legally capped.
  • There are no solicitor fees to pay during your case.

To learn more about No Win No Fee agreements, or to discover whether a solicitor could offer to handle your case on a No WIn No Fee basis, please speak to one of our advisers. Alternatively, you can read our guide.

Speak To Our Data Breach Claims Team

Now that you have taken the time to read our guide, you might feel confident in beginning your potential case. If so, why not speak to one of our advisers?

If you would like to speak with someone regarding your case, why not talk to us at Legal Expert? Our claims team is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are well versed in the law and can offer you free legal advice. So, if you would like to speak with an adviser without being obliged to proceed with our services, please use one of the following options:

Related Resources

We are now at the final section of the data breach claims against Bishop Grosseteste University guide. Thank you for reading this guide, we hope you’ve found it useful.

You might consider searching for additional resources to further understand the points made within this guide. We have links below that could provide you with the information you need.

Credit Card Data Breach

If you find that someone has accessed your credit or debit card details because a data controller hasn’t adequately protected them, read our guide. 

Aston University Data Breach Guide

Do you want to learn more about a different university data breach case? Why not read our Aston University guide.

University of Bath Data Breach 

Want to look at more information relating to university data breach cases? Why not take a look at our University of Bath guide.

NHS Mental Health Resources

Understandably, you might want to learn where you can find mental health support. Why not look to the NHS?

ICO – How To Make A Complaint

Please click the link above to learn about the ICO complaints process.

Freedom of Information (FOI) Request

Click the link above to learn more about FOI requests.

Other Useful Compensation Guides

Thank you for reading our guide to data breach claims against Bishop Grosseteste University.

Written by Brennan

Edited by Victorine

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      Patrick is a Grade A solicitor having qualified in 2005. He's an an expert in accident at work and public liability claims and is currently our head of the EL/PL department. Get in touch today for free to see how we can help you.