Can You Sue Facebook for the Data Breach?

In many instances, you may be able to pursue compensation in the aftermath of a Facebook data breach. This is especially true if any of the following sensitive information was leaked: 

• Credit reports
• Social Security numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Bank account numbers
• Addresses 
• Phone numbers
• And more 

Usually, the claimant will need to prove that the company in question acted negligently. The legal concept of negligence involves the claimant proving the following four factors: 

• The defendant owed them a duty of care
• The defendant breached their duty of care
• The breach of duty was the cause of the harm
• The claimant sustained actual harm 

The difficulty in many data breach cases is proving that “harm” took place. The courts do not consider the breach of data alone as harm, necessarily. 

One common type of harm that might result from a data breach is the loss of money. For instance, suppose an online platform released your bank account information. 

If this data breach resulted in the illegal use of your banking information and you lost money, you might be able to pursue compensation. So, can you sue Facebook for data breaches? It will depend on the specific circumstance of the case.

Reasonable Cyber Security

In some cases, the question of reasonable cyber security will be relevant. Some claimants can seek to show that the company that experienced the breach did not implement appropriate cyber security measures. 

If a data breach was preventable, the company may be found negligent in some cases. Companies have the option of hiring cyber security professionals to protect their users’ data. 

When a company fails to do so, they make breaches much more likely. Some judges and juries will consider the strength of cyber security when considering data breach cases.

Reasonable Plaintiff Actions

It is also important that the plaintiff take certain actions in the wake of a digital data breach. This shows that the victim took the proper steps to minimize the damage of the loss of their information.  

For instance, after a data breach, the victim should: 

• Cancel any affected credit cards
• Contact the banks about affected accounts
• Change leaked passwords for any apps or accounts
• And more 

It is crucial to take these actions to stop any further financial or personal harm. This will also show that the claimant took the data breach seriously. 

If you fail to properly respond to a leak of information, the overseeing judge may reduce the amount of compensation for which you are eligible. Plaintiffs who do not adjust to a data breach could experience more needless financial harm.

Determining Who is Liable

In most data breach cases, the party or parties who initially stole the information will be unknown. While the Facebook data leak was fully understood, many such cases are not.  

That is why it is critical to contact a skilled data breach lawyer to file a legal claim. The company that was charged with protecting sensitive information may be held liable for the damage resulting from the breach. 

A knowledgeable tort lawyer will review the facts of your case and work to prove that the company in question was negligent. If you or someone you love was harmed because of a Facebook data breach, do not hesitate. 

Reach out to the trusted legal team at Morgan & Morgan to pursue the financial compensation that you rightfully deserve.

Depending on the consequences of the data breach, victims may be able to pursue compensation for many types of harm. Consumer protection lawyers can review your circumstances to determine the value of your case. 

Victims of data leaks can pursue compensation for the following types of financial harm: 

• The expense of replacing debit and credit cards
• Costs from changing leaked information
• Service fees for protecting financial information after the breach
• Credit insurance and credit report costs
• Out-of-pocket costs that resulted from the data breach 

Those who have experienced these types of harms may also seek financial recovery for their emotional damages. For instance, the invasion of privacy resulting from data breaches may result in: 

• Emotional trauma and distress
• Anxiety, panic, and depression
• Damage to the victim’s reputation
• Damage to the victim’s business prospects
• Damage to the victim’s credit score
• And more 

To determine the appropriate amount of compensation in your data breach case, speak with a knowledgeable attorney. The firm of Morgan & Morgan is home to many legal professionals with experience in these cases. 

Do not settle for less than the best. When you need legal representation, speak with a tort attorney at Morgan & Morgan.

At Morgan & Morgan, our compassionate legal experts understand that data breach victims face many significant financial challenges. Because of this, our firm operates on a contingency fee structure.  

When you hire one of our lawyers, we will agree to a specific portion of the financial recovery from your data breach claim. After we successfully settle or win your case, that percentage will cover the attorneys’ fees. 

In other words, you will not pay anything unless we get you the money you deserve. When you hire Morgan & Morgan, we do not get paid unless you do.

Yes! Data breach cases often involve taking on large digital corporations. These companies have many legal resources at their disposal. 

Make sure to hire an attorney or firm with the resources to pursue your claim as far as required. The seasoned legal specialists at Morgan & Morgan will take your case all the way to the litigation phase, if necessary.

The team at Morgan & Morgan has the skills, resources, and experience to fight effectively for you. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a data breach, do not wait to pursue a legal claim. 

When you contact our firm, we will review the facts of your case and build a powerful legal claim for you. To arrange a no-cost consultation with no obligation to hire our firm, complete the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today!