Category: Group Actions
Steering Committee in group actions
As specialists in group actions, we are used to representing huge client cohorts to fight against common defendants. Many people may have a basic understanding of what a group action is, but most may not know exactly how the legal proceedings work in these lawsuits. A Steering Committee is normally one of the key elements needed to bring a group action to court.
We are always keen to demystify consumer claims for our clients, as we believe that understanding more about the process can help them to feel confident and reassured about their claim. Any claimants who join our group actions can be sure that we will keep them updated at every step of the process.
Renault diesel emissions investigations lead to charge for carmaker
The Renault diesel emissions investigations in France have now given way to a charge relating to alleged deceit against the carmaker, whom prosecutors have reportedly accused of test-cheating and emissions software manipulation. Renault continues to dispute the allegations, but given the widespread emissions scandal affecting the car industry, the carmaker looks set to face further scrutiny in the courts.
In 2015, the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal first hit the headlines after VW was accused of using illegal defeat device technology in its diesel vehicles as a means of manipulating their emissions output during testing. Since then, the majority of major carmakers have been subjected to similar allegations, leading to billions of pounds in fines and potential compensation pay-outs internationally.
Your Lawyers was the first firm to initiate formal High Court proceedings against Volkswagen in England and Wales, and were later appointed to the Steering Committee responsible for the overall conduct of the Group Litigation Order. Now, we want to ensure that all those affected by emissions irregularities have a chance to claim the compensation they could be entitled to in our emissions group actions.
Thermal windows and the car emissions scandal
Many people will have seen the countless headlines surrounding the car emissions scandal, but it can be difficult to understand exactly what methods car manufacturers might have used to cheat emissions tests. It has been suggested that some carmakers have allegedly exploited so-called ‘thermal windows’ which could allow vehicles to still produce what could be deemed as excessive nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
If such accusations are proven to be true, it may be that many diesel vehicles have been producing significant volumes of harmful emissions. Regardless of the exact method used, any suspicions of emissions cheating should be addressed.
Following the High Court ruling that Volkswagen has been using defeat devices in certain diesel vehicles, we have started group actions against other suspected car manufacturers over similar allegations. Those who own or have previously owned affected vehicles may be entitled to recover thousands of pounds in compensation.
Claim in the Porsche emissions compensation action
Ever since the news of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke in 2015, we have been investigating allegations that several other carmakers may also have engaged in the use of potentially deceitful practices by allegedly deploying defeat devices to cheat emissions tests. Porsche is one such car manufacturer that we are looking into, and with Volkswagen as its parent company, we have reason to believe that Porsche vehicles may also be associated with emissions irregularities. We have already taken on many clients for Porsche emissions compensation claims, and we continue to take action for people affected now.
Many vehicle owners may have been affected, and it could be revealed that their cars were producing illegal levels of NOx emissions without their knowledge. If this is found to be the case, Porsche could be held liable for a breach of your consumer rights, meaning that they may have to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation to each of the affected owners.
Although there may be hundreds or thousands of owners who have been affected, you can only access compensation if you sign-up to claim before any court deadlines are imposed. This is why we urge anyone who thinks that they may be affected to start their claim ASAP, and you can use our simple online sign-up form to find out if you are eligible to claim now.
Diesel emissions claims
As pioneers of car emissions litigations, we have been taking on diesel emissions claims since 2015, the year when the news of the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke. Since then, it has emerged that a number of other car manufacturers may also have allegedly installed defeat devices in their cars to potentially cheat emissions testing.
We have recently launched a new wave of emissions group actions in an effort to see that as many affected car owners as possible can claim the compensation they deserve if allegations are proven to be true. Although many of the allegations remain unproven, we have taken it upon ourselves to broaden our emissions investigations to ensure that no stone is left unturned. To achieve real justice, it is essential that all breaches of consumers’ rights are accounted for where they have taken place.
In fact, we have aimed to make our emissions claims accessible to all by offering No Win, No Fee representation to all eligible claimants. Anyone affected by the car emissions scandals can register their claims with us online today, or contact our team for complementary advice.
The third anniversary of the GDPR
This May, we have reached the third anniversary of the GDPR, which was introduced in the UK and across the EU in 2018. Seen as a momentous event for data security, the General Data Protection Regulation was predicted to overhaul data protection policies in UK businesses and organisations, affording data subjects greater rights and securities.
Designed to update data protection for the digital age, the GDPR requires that all data controllers use the appropriate technical cybersecurity measures and organisational strategies when processing and holding personal information. To some extent, important changes have been made, but it seems many data controllers have yet to fully grasp what their legal obligations are under the GDPR.
Unfortunately, there has been no major downturn in the occurrence of data breaches over the last few years, which have left countless victims worrying about the mishandling and/or exposure of their private information. Over more than 6 years of representing victims for privacy matters, we have seen how profoundly victims have been affected by incidents. We will be here to support victims in making data breach claims for as long as organisations neglect their data protection duties.
The easyJet cyberattack – victims can still claim compensation
The easyJet cyberattack was revealed to the public in May last year, when the airline admitted that as many as nine million customers had been affected by the hack. Labelled “highly sophisticated” by easyJet, many victims were made vulnerable to cybercrime and security risks as a result of the incident.
A year may have passed since news of the breach hit the headlines, but easyJet still needs to be held accountable. If you were affected by the cyberattack, you can still sign up to stand up for your rights and claim the compensation you deserve.
With over six years of experience in data breach claims, we have the expertise to guide and support you through the process. Moreover, as specialists in group actions, we know that there is strength in numbers. By standing up to easyJet in a collective action, we could recover huge compensation pay-outs for our claimants. You can contact us today to start your No Win, No Fee claim.
Group Action Lawsuit in the UK
A group action lawsuit in the UK usually involves collating multiple similar claims against a common Defendant(s) to fight for justice in one lawsuit.
When all claimants join the same group action, it can increase the efficiency of the legal battle and can also strengthen the force which lawyers can oppose the Defendant with.
At The Group Action Lawyers, we are pioneers of group action lawsuits in the UK, having represented thousands of claimants in dozens of group and multi-party claims. From huge actions against medical manufacturers, to our ground-breaking work in the emissions lawsuits against carmakers, our experience stretches far and wide. We are here to help anyone who thinks their consumer rights may have been violated, as we aim to hold both large corporations and local organisations to account for their abuse of power.
Watford Community Housing data breach- one year on
In late March 2020, a data breach at Watford Community Housing Trust caused the exposure of thousands of tenants’ personal information. The information, much of which was highly sensitive in nature, was mistakenly leaked in an email. This was an error which, though simple, has caused distress and security risks for many of the victims.
We believe that there continues to be little understanding of the repercussions that victims can suffer following a data breach. However, we are determined to change this disregard by supporting clients to achieve the justice they deserve. The GDPR can entitle victims to claim compensation for their involvement in a data breach and the damage caused, so we can help anyone affected by the Watford Community Housing data breach to assert this legal right.
You can contact us today or sign up for a call-back to find out if you may be eligible to claim compensation.
Arup data breach exposes private employee data
A cybersecurity incident at a third-party payroll provider has provoked a data breach at Arup, a professional services company. Affecting many former and current employees, the Arup data breach has reportedly exposed details disclosed for the purposes of paying employees’ wages.
Arup has yet to publish information on the number of people affected, but they have sent a data breach notification to let victims know which details may have been compromised. We have already accepted compensation cases for victims of the Arup data breach on a No Win, No Fee basis. Anyone affected by an incident like this may be entitled to recover compensation under the law, as data controllers have a legal obligation to protect the information that they hold and process.
If Arup has informed you of your involvement in the data breach, we can offer free, no-obligation advice to you regarding your potential compensation claim.
Midlands News Association data breach causes exposure of journalists’ personal information
A report by HoldtheFrontPage has recently reported that the Midlands News Association has been faced with a data breach incident, after an unauthorised third party is understood to have accessed private folders.
It is believed that data relating to former journalists of the regional newspaper was published online after being downloaded. The MNA reportedly maintain that the published data is “difficult to download and access”, but the risks for the victims could be significant.
When a data controller fails to protect private information, they can be held accountable under the law here in the UK. The victims of data breaches can often be entitled to recover compensation for any harm caused to them. As such, anyone affected by the Midlands News Association data breach can contact us for advice on their potential claim. We may be able to offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.
Birmingham City Council data breach
Following an error by council staff, the Birmingham City Council data breach has reportedly exposed the private details of residents, potentially including those of vulnerable children.
We understand that the breach arose as a result of the accidental publication of private information to a site that was freely accessible to members of the public.
Though the council has stated that the mistake was corrected quickly, it is nevertheless true that the victims’ data could have reached the hands of malicious people. Any situation in which personal data is exposed in this way should be treated seriously and, in many cases, it may be possible for those affected to claim compensation. It can also be possible to represent victims for a legal case on a No Win, No Fee basis.