South Staffordshire Water Data Breach Guide – Can I Claim Compensation?

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A Guide To South Staffordshire Water Data Breach

In 2022, the parent company of South Staffs Water, South Staffordshire PLC, stated that they had been hit by a cyber attack. The water company were targeted by hackers who may have gained access to customers’ personal data.

This guide will explore what constitutes a data breach as well as how one could occur. 

We will also explore the data breach claims criteria as set out in the legislation while also covering key areas, such as the time limits that apply and relevant data protection laws. 

Furthermore, the compensation you might be owed for a successful data breach claim will be examined, along with the steps you can take to enhance your claim. For example, gathering useful evidence or hiring a solicitor. 

You can also speak to an advisor from our team if you have any specific questions. They are on call around the clock to offer you a free consultation. To get in touch: 

Browse Our Guide

  1. South Staffordshire Water Data Breach – What Happened?
  2. What Are Personal Data Breaches And When Can I Claim?
  3. Evidence Which Could Support A Case
  4. What Compensation Could You Claim For A Personal Data Breach?
  5. No Win No Fee Data Breach Compensation Claims 
  6. To Find Out More On The South Staffordshire Water Data Breach Speak With Our Team

South Staffordshire Water Data Breach – What Happened?

South Staffordshire PLC, the parent company of South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water, announced they had been the target of hackers on 16th August 2022. It is reported that potentially the personal details of customers could have been accessed, such as names, addresses, and bank details for direct debit payments.

The water company was potentially hit by a ransomware attack. These kinds of attacks involve online systems being hacked and data stolen or blocked, and a ransom is requested by the hackers. 

If you have evidence that you have been affected by the potential South Staffordshire Water data breach, please get in touch with our team of advisors, and they can inform you if there are any potential steps you can take. 

Source:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-62565937

What Are Personal Data Breaches And When Can I Claim?

A personal data breach is commonly referred to as a security incident that leads to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, or unauthorised disclosure of or access to personal data. Moreover, personal data is anything that can be used to identify a person. For example, their name, postal address or email address or phone number. 

You may only claim for a personal data breach if you endure mental or monetary harm due to the wrongful conduct of the data controller or processor. A data controller will usually be an organisation that says how data is collected and why your data is used. A data processor could be hired as a third party by the data controller to process the data on the controller’s behalf. Both entities must comply with data protection laws. 

There are two main data protection laws that protect your personal data: The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). Not all data is protected, but personal data and personal data that is sensitive are protected by these laws. 

Time Limits For Data Breach Claims

The general data breach claims time limit is 6 years to initiate legal proceedings in court. In contrast, if you are claiming against a public body, you may only have one year to start the claims process. 

If you would like to find out what steps you could possibly take if your personal data was affected by the potential South Staffordshire Water data breach, please get in touch with an advisor from our team. 

Evidence Which Could Support Your Case

It is crucial to gather evidence to support a personal data breach claim. Evidence that proves a data breach occurred and that your personal data was involved, as well as any medical evidence that shows your mental state was affected or evidence to show that you suffered financially, is crucial. 

  • Keeping track of correspondence between yourself and the relevant organisation about the breach. For instance, how the breach occurred, specifically what data was compromised or the ways in which it impacted you. 
  • If you have suffered mentally, ask for a copy of your medical records to substantiate your claim. 
  • Providing proof of any monetary harm suffered via receipts, invoices, bank statements, or credit score ratings. 

An advisor from our team can provide more details in terms of the evidence that can be gathered to support a personal data breach claim if you get in touch. 

What Compensation Could You Claim For A Personal Data Breach?

If your personal data breach claim is successful, your settlement may comprise two heads of claim. You could be awarded non-material damage compensation for any psychological injuries that are caused by a breach. Examples of this could include distress, anxiety or depression. 

In place of a data breach compensation calculator, we have compiled a table of compensation guideline amounts that are provided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document used by legal professionals when valuing claims. However, these amounts should only be used as guidance. 

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Injury Severity Compensation Bracket Details
(a) Psychological damage (generally) Severe £54,830 to £115,730 Marked problems coping with all areas of life for example work and social life. This claimant will have a very poor prognosis.
(b) Psychological damage (generally) Moderately Severe £19,070 to £54,830 The issues in the bracket above will continue but there will be a much more optimistic prognosis.
Psychological damage (generally) Moderate £5,860 to £19,070 Hardship with everyday life continues but there will be marked improvements and a good prognosis.
(c) Psychological damage (generally) Less Severe £1,540 to £5,860 This bracket is judged on the timeframe of disability and the impact on lifestyle.
(a) Reactive disorder (psychiatric) Severe £59,860 to £100,670 All aspects of life will be considerably affected. There will not be a return to pre-trauma life.
(b) Reactive disorder (psychiatric) Moderately Severe £23,150 to £59,860 A better prognosis will be gained with the help of a professional.
(c) Reactive disorder (psychiatric) Moderate £8,180 to £23,150 A large recovery is made and any remaining symptoms are not major.
(d)Reactive disorder (psychiatric) Less Severe £3,950 to £8,180 An almost full recovery is made within 1-2 years.

Material Damage

Material damage compensation may also be included as part of your settlement. This looks to reimburse you for any financial damage incurred due to your personal data being compromised.

If you want to know more about data breach compensation, please speak with an advisor from our team. 

No Win No Fee Data Breach Claims

There are many benefits to claiming with a No Win No Fee solicitor. For example, there are no fees required for your solicitor’s services upfront or while your claim is ongoing. 

They could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which is a type of No Win No Fee agreement. This type of agreement means that you typically only have to pay for the services your solicitor provides if your claim is a success. Therefore, if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay for their services. 

However, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation and taken by your solicitor in the event of a successful claim. This is a legally capped percentage, which guarantees you receive the majority of your compensation. 

For advice, if your personal data was affected by the potential South Staffordshire Water data breach, please get in touch. 

Talk To Us About The South Staffordshire Water Data Breach

Our advisors can offer you free advice at all times. If they deem you to have an eligible case, they could connect you with a data breach solicitor from our panel. 

You can get in touch by: 

  • Speak to us using our live chat feature

To Find Out More On The South Staffordshire Water Data Breach, Speak With Our Team

Here are some more of our own guides relative to data breaches: 

We have also included further reading that may be of use to you: 

Thank you for reading this guide on the steps you can take if you have been affected by the potential South Staffordshire Water data breach. If you still have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.