On June 29th 2023, various staff and community members of The Big Life Group were notified of a cyber security incident that affected approximately 62,500 people in a personal data breach.
This article examines who may be eligible to claim for the Big Life data breach, as well as compensation claims and an examination of the damage that could be caused by data breaches such as this.
We also examine the advantages of claiming data breach compensation with experienced data breach solicitors like ourselves under the No Win No Fee contract they can offer.
You can talk to our advisory team 24 hours a day for further guidance on the data breach claims process, or to get a free assessment of your eligibility to claim data protection breach compensation. Call us on 0800 073 8804 or start your claim online by completing this form.
Browse This Guide
- What Was The Big Life Data Breach?
- What Data Was Affected?
- What Should I Do If Affected By The Big Life Data Breach?
- Potential Impacts Of A Data Breach
- Claiming Big Life Data Breach Compensation With a No Win No Fee Solicitor
- Learn More About The Big Life Data Breach And Compensation Claims
What Was The Big Life Data Breach?
The Big Life Group is a charitable organisation that provides essential services to disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the North West. On June 29th 2023, cybercriminals attempted to gain access to Big Life’s computer files.
According to a statement from Big Life, a remote desktop server was accessed, and some data was stolen. Approximately 62,500 people have been contacted regarded a potential compromise of their personal data.
Personal data breaches are security incidents where the availability, confidentiality or integrity of personal data has been impacted. This definition was taken from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent body for upholding information rights.
What Data Was Affected?
Big Life provides mental health and support services to vulnerable and disadvantaged families and individuals across a number of areas.
Personal data is any information that can be used to identify a living individual, referred to as a data subject.
The Big Life Group hold various forms of personal data, including names, addresses and contact details. While Big Life themselves have not commented on the data affected, we know they have contacted around 62,500 people concerning this data breach.
As Big Life work with communities to provide rehabilitation, HIV and AIDS and mental health support, what the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) defines as “special category data” may have been affected. This is personal data that is regarded as having higher sensitivity and, therefore, demands greater degrees of security. Examples include health data, data concerning trade union membership and information regarding your race and ethnic origin.
Considering the areas Big Life work across, it is possible that of the 62,500 contacted concerning the data breach, some had sensitive personal data stolen. Big Life themselves did not disclose the nature of the information affected by this data breach.
What Should I Do If Affected By The Big Life Data Breach?
Data controllers are required to notify all impacted data subjects as fast as is reasonably possible. There is also a requirement to notify the ICO within 72 hours if the data breach meets the reporting threshold.
If you or a family member/dependent have used Big Life Group services and have not been contacted, it is worth reaching out to Big Life and seeking clarity on the status of your personal data.
It is a data subject’s right to express concern to a data controller regarding the handling or storage of their personal data. Data subjects can also report the controller to the ICO following an unsatisfactory response to concerns. While the issuing of compensation is not in the ICO’s remit, information gathered during their investigation can be used to support any potential claim.
For free legal advice on the Big Life data breach and compensation claims, contact our advisors today using the number provided above.
Potential Impacts Of A Data Breach
There are two types of damage that you can be compensated for in a data breach claim.
Material damage refers to financial losses, such as fraudulent purchases made using your credit card or money being stolen from your bank account.
Non-material damage is the psychiatric harm caused by having your personal data compromised, such as stress or in more severe cases, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
As Big Life handles services for children, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and families across the North West of England, there is a risk that some highly sensitive information could have been affected.
To find out if you could claim Big Life data breach compensation as one of the affected data subjects, talk to our advisors today using the contact information given below.
Claiming Big Life Data Breach Compensation With a No Win No Fee Solicitor
To be eligible to claim Big Life Data Breach Compensation, you will need to show the following:
- The Big Life Group, in their capacity as the data controller, engaged in positive wrongful conduct that went against their obligation under the UK GDPR.
- You suffered a psychiatric injury, monetary loss or both as a result of this wrongful conduct.
After you have spoken to our advisors regarding your particular circumstances, they will assess your eligibility to claim data breach compensation. If eligible, one of our experienced data breach solicitors could take on your case under a No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
What this means for you as a potential claimant is no fees required for the solicitor to start work on your case, no fees for that work during the claims process itself and no fee should your claim fail.
You will only pay a fee, known as a success fee if the solicitor wins your case. The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 caps success fees, so the majority of any compensation award is yours to keep.
For further advice on the Big Life Group data breach or to get a free assessment of your eligibility to claim, contact our advisors today.
You can call us on 0800 073 8804 at any time of day, or begin your claim online by filling out this form, and a member of our team will get in touch.
Learn More About The Big Life Data Breach And Compensation Claims
We have also provided some additional resources regarding data breaches and protecting your data that you may find useful:
- Get useful tips and advice for staying safe online through the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Aware programme.
- Read the guidance on making a complaint about an organisation’s handling of your personal data on the Government website.
- Deal with a personal data breach can be a distressing and confusing time. The NHS has provided details of mental health conditions, as well as guidance on accessing support services.
Thank you for reading our guide to claiming Big Life data breach compensation. You can get further advice and guidance by speaking to our advisors using the details provided above.
