Did You Get a Breach Notification Email? That’s Your Signal to Talk to a Lawyer
If someone who was tasked with protecting your personal data has failed in their obligation, you may be able to seek financial compensation. The data breach litigation attorneys at Federman & Sherwood can lead the fight on your behalf.
If you have been notified through a letter or email that you have been the victim of a data breach, you may not even wait until your information has been wrongfully used to file a lawsuit. At the very minimum, you should speak to a data breach attorney to learn whether you can file a lawsuit. A data breach lawyer can also give you valuable advice on how to deal with the situation and protect yourself.
Speak to a data breach attorney at Federman & Sherwood to learn more about your legal rights. We offer free initial consultations to prospective clients, and we are paid nothing unless you win.
A Data Breach Email is a Sign That You Should Act
Companies are obligated to send you a notice which tells you when there has been a breach, and your data may have been compromised. Not only should you take the steps necessary to protect yourself to the fullest extent possible, but this should also be your cue to contact a data breach lawyer to potentially file a lawsuit against the company which was supposed to protect your information. Although the law is still in flux about the point at which you may be able to file an actual lawsuit, you may not even have to know that your data was actually wrongfully used for you to be eligible for financial compensation. A data breach lawyer can inform you about whether you have a potential cause of action, and your case is at the point where you can file a lawsuit.
You may be able to file or join a lawsuit for a data breach, even if you have not yet been a victim of identity theft. Although the Supreme Court has held that speculation about possible future harm is not enough to establish standing to file a lawsuit, a circuit court has established that you may be able to file a lawsuit when the following criteria are satisfied:
- The threat actor intentionally accessed the data
- They wrongfully used the data
- There was access to data that could be used for identity theft
For example, if your information was taken and is available on the dark web, and you have suffered some type of harm (such as emotional distress or spending money to protect yourself and mitigate your own harm), you may be able to file a lawsuit against the company which was supposed to protect your data.
Speaking to a Data Breach Lawyer Means That You Are Prepared
Even if you are not yet in a position to file a lawsuit because you do not have standing, it always helps to be prepared to act when you are able. Your data breach attorney can be ready to seek compensation on your behalf as soon as you have the legal right. At the very minimum, you would be well versed in your legal rights and know when and how you can seek compensation for the harm that was done to you. It would cost you nothing to speak with a data breach lawyer during a free initial consultation.
A data breach lawyer can also give you practical advice about how to protect yourself in the interim. You may be overwhelmed by the number of steps that you need to take in the face of the potential harm to your finances from a data breach. You must do everything in your own power to mitigate your damages, both to protect yourself financially and to preserve your ability to obtain full damages in a lawsuit. Days matter when there is a malign actor who has possession of your personal data.
When you contact a data breach attorney to discuss your case, they can do the following:
- Review the circumstances of the data breach to determine whether you have a potential lawsuit
- Advise you about the proper jurisdiction to file your lawsuit
- Analyze your individual circumstances to determine how much to seek in damages
- Determine whether you should file an individual lawsuit or join or lead a class action case
- File the lawsuit, either presenting your case to a court or negotiating a settlement
Contact a National Data Breach Law Firm Today
Reach out to the experienced data breach attorneys at Federman & Sherwood to discuss your case and take legal action. You can speak with a data breach lawyer by messaging us online or by calling us today at (800) 237-1277. We have offices in Oklahoma and Texas, and we work with data breach victims across the country.