When a company fails to protect sensitive personal data—such as credit card numbers, medical records, or Social Security numbers—it may expose individuals to identity theft or fraud. In many cases, this leads to a data breach lawsuit, giving affected consumers the right to seek compensation.
A sensitive data leak, whether due to negligent or malicious acts, can result in identity theft or fraud, causing a number of problems for consumers in the short- and long-term. An experienced attorney at CaseyGerry can help you understand your rights and assess whether you may be eligible to join a data breach lawsuit.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for a Data Breach Lawsuit?
If you’ve received a notification from a company, healthcare provider, government agency, or another organization informing you that your personal data may have been compromised, you may be eligible to take legal action. These breach notices are often the first indication that your information was exposed—whether or not you’ve experienced fraud or identity theft yet.
At CaseyGerry, we focus on representing individuals early in the legal process. In many data breach cases, we are among the first firms to investigate and file complaints on behalf of consumers. Our goal is to protect individuals from the start.
Eligibility to join a data breach lawsuit depends on several factors, including the type of data compromised, how it was used, and whether legal violations occurred. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides protections for consumers whose personal information is exposed in a breach. Even if you’re unsure how the breach has affected you, our team can help you evaluate your legal options.
What To Do if You Find Out Your Data Has Been Stolen
If you discover that you have been part of a sensitive information breach, there are a few things you should do to protect your data further:
- Take advantage of any free identity theft protection that companies offer, which is usually provided in the notice of data breach
- Continue to monitor your banking and credit card statements for any fraudulent activity
- Notify your financial institution and place a fraud alert on your credit and banking cards to prevent hackers from using your information
- Freeze your credit through the three credit bureaus (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian)
- If necessary and within the tax filing window, consider filing as soon as you receive notice of a data breach to protect your information
Taking these steps not only protects your information but may also strengthen your position in a data breach lawsuit if one arises.
Even if you’re eligible to participate in a data breach lawsuit, these cases can take time to resolve due to their complexity, the number of people affected, and the challenges of proving how compromised data was used. If a case results in a settlement, eligible individuals may receive a claim form. This form must be completed in order to receive your pro-rata share of the settlement.
Consult With a Data Breach Lawyer About Your Case
Learning that your personal information may have been exposed in a data breach can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re unsure what steps to take or whether there will be long-term consequences. Whether you’ve received a breach notification from a company or noticed unusual activity on your accounts, our attorneys can help you understand your rights.
At CaseyGerry, we have experience investigating complex data privacy issues and representing individuals early in the legal process. We are also monitoring major incidents, such as the Farmers Insurance Data Breach, to keep consumers informed about their rights. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation and explore your legal options.