Emissions compensation actions
As one of the first law firms to take on claims against Volkswagen in England and Wales, we went on to pioneer car emissions litigation, initiating group actions against a number of other car manufacturers. Now, we have initiated a number of emissions compensation actions against carmakers who have also become embroiled in emissions allegations.
In 2015, it emerged that Volkswagen vehicles may have been emitting far more toxic NOx (nitrous oxide) than was first believed. Carmakers are bound by strict emissions regulations, but it seemed that Volkswagen had been using so-called defeat devices, a type of software installed in engines as a means of disguising the true emissions output of its diesel vehicles.
While Volkswagen has been found guilty of using defeat devices, thus far, we believe there is sufficient information for us to investigate many car manufacturers in respect of emissions cheating. If the allegations are proven, more car manufacturers may not only have broken emissions regulations, but they may also have breached consumer law. If you own or previously owned an affected vehicle, you can register for an emissions compensation claim today to seek the justice you deserve.
Cybersecurity month 2021 – a time to take stock
As it is every year, Cybersecurity month 2021 is the time to take stock in terms of where we are when it comes to data protection and ensuring that our private and personal information is protected.
Victims of a data breach, including a cyberattack, can be eligible to claim compensation by law. Most people claim for the distress caused by the loss of control of their personal information. With so many big breaches and large hacks taking place in recent times, it is easy to see how we now represent thousands across over 50 data actions that we have launched.
Cybersecurity month 2021 reminds us all that our work continues to be incredibly important.
Steris data breach
Steris, a US company that provides a range of medical products and services, was hit with a cybersecurity incident in late 2020. The Steris data breach was reportedly part of the collateral damage of the Accellion cyberattack, in which hackers breached the well-known technology company’s systems.
Among Accellion’s products and services is their FTA (File Transfer Appliance), which they sell to business customers to provide them with a secure means of moving digital files. However, the integrity of this application was compromised when it was subjected to an external hack, which has since been linked to the exposure and potentially the publication of private information.
Not only has the error compromised data security, the event could also put a strain on Accellion’s business relationships. The Accellion cyberattack and resultant Steris data breach demonstrate the damage that could be done to a company’s reputation when data protection breaches occur.
Twitch data leak – advice for victims
The Twitch data leak has been widely reported in the media over the last week, with the earnings and pay-out information for streamers being exposed.
So far, the Amazon-owned platform is saying that the data breach arose from a server configuration issue, but hackers have also reportedly claimed responsibility for leaking exposed information. It is understood that a list of pay-out details for streamers is doing the rounds on social media and on the web, and all evidence points toward the list being accurate.
For a platform that has prided itself on confidentiality when it comes to the earnings and pay-out information for its streamers, this data breach is alarming. For anyone who is affected in England and Wales, here is some legal advice for you.
French emissions investigations expand to Fiat Chrysler
The French emissions investigations have been ongoing for some time, having their beginnings in the 2015 Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal, in which the carmaker was found guilty of using illegal defeat devices as a means of cheating emissions tests. Now, following charges against a number of other manufacturers across the globe, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Italy has been added to the list of carmakers under the scrutiny of investigators.
Owned by Stellantis, FCA Italy is suspected of alleged consumer fraud in respect of diesel vehicles being sold in France. The allegations against the brand reflect a trend, as many well-known carmakers have been accused of allegedly misleading customers regarding their compliance with emissions regulations. As things stand, carmakers are strenuously denying that they have done anything wrong.
The legal cases here in the UK are still gradually progressing, but we are investigating several carmakers over alleged breaches of consumer law, including Fiat. If you have recently owned or leased a diesel vehicle produced by one of the suspected manufacturers, you can check your eligibility for a compensation claim with us today.
Allegations against Renault denied by former chief
The former executive of car companies Renault and Nissan has come forward to deny the allegations against Renault, acting as a witness in French investigations that are ongoing into the carmaker. Carlos Ghosn himself became the subject of controversy after he was reportedly arrested in Japan for alleged financial misconduct, which was said to be due to misuse of company money. It was then reported that he later travelled to Lebanon and may have been able to evade the charges against him.
However, in the latest emission scandal news, Ghosn was speaking in relation to the charges against the company that he formerly led, as French prosecutors recently charged Renault with deceit following lengthy investigations. Mirroring the company’s own response to the accusations, Ghosn refuted the claims of any wrongdoing.
Emissions fraud first became a topic of major public discussion when the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal broke in 2015. This came with the revelations that the carmaker had been using illegal defeat devices that were designed to cheat emissions tests, something they have continually denied. Our initiation of High Court proceedings against Volkswagen in 2016 has helped to pave the way for the carmaker being held responsible for issues with emissions software, and we are seeking to hold further carmakers accountable for any alleged emissions fraud. If it is found that your vehicle has been affected by emissions irregularities, you may be entitled to claim compensation now.
Ian Paterson compensation claims
In 2017, former breast surgeon Ian Paterson was reportedly jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent, with an additional three wounding charges. The criminal conviction demonstrates the severity of the case, which represents one of the most serious and wide-reaching cases of medical malpractice ever seen in the UK. However, the case against Paterson is far from over, with latest reports revealing that thousands of further victims may be able to engage in the Ian Paterson compensation claims processes.
A new patient recall issued by Spire Healthcare, a private provider by which Paterson was employed for a number of years, is understood to encompass some 5,500 former patients of Paterson. This may mean that thousands more victims might have suffered due to unnecessary procedures, including breast surgery and harmful ‘cleavage-sparing’ mastectomies. Additional victims could now be eligible to recover damages also.
As specialists in medical negligence and group actions, our legal representation has been available to victims since the scandal first came about. We urge any further victims who have been notified by the hospitals who employed Ian Paterson to come forward and claim the compensation they may be owed. Although nothing can reverse the harm caused to you, it is vital that those responsible are held to account for the harm caused.
Virgin Media data leak claims
In March 2020, news of the Virgin Media data leak revealed that as many as 900,000 UK people (mainly customers) had had their information exposed due to a system insecurity. The data protection errors that occurred within the company came with serious consequences, causing those affected to potentially become vulnerable to data misuse.
In accordance with UK data protection law, every citizen has rights that can protect them in the aftermath of a data breach. These rights can be asserted in a data breach compensation claim to ensure that third-party data controllers cannot get away with needless errors and negligence.
We believe all those affected by the Virgin Media data breach could be eligible to claim compensation for any harm caused, which is why we have launched a group action to see that justice is done. Our experience in high-profile data breach group actions means that we are well equipped to lead claims to fruition. If you were notified of your involvement in the Virgin Media data leak, we encourage you to join our action, as you may be able to recover thousands of pounds in compensation.
Guntrader data breach – legal advice
In July, it was reported that a popular UK site designed for the sale and purchase of guns has been targeted by hackers. As a result of the Guntrader data breach, the personal safety of a number of gun owners may have been put at risk, with the exposed information potentially facilitating targeted criminal activity.
Hackers seeking to misuse personal information will often seek the most sensitive details that they can find, as this often proves to be more profitable. With cybercriminals growing in strength and enhancing their methods, it is vital that organisations in possession of personal data protect it in accordance with the law. Where they fail to do so, they could be held liable for a breach of the GDPR.
At The Group Action Lawyers, we have seen countless data breaches hit the headlines over the years, and we aim to use our expertise to help victims access the compensation that they deserve. If you have been affected by the Guntrader data breach, you may be able to make a data breach claim, and we can offer advice to any victims on their potential eligibility.
Making an Equifax data breach claim
Resulting from a seismic cyberattack, the Equifax data breach was one the largest seen in recent memory. Hitting around 145 million US customers, the breach also affected approximately 700,000 UK customers. In response, we decided to launch a group action to hold Equifax to account and to claim compensation for the UK victims. Anyone who was notified of their involvement in the breach by Equifax may be able to make an Equifax data breach claim.
As an international credit reference agency, Equifax holds a wealth of personal information, much of which is highly sensitive. As a result of the data breach, millions upon millions of consumers were exposed to threats of information misuse and fraud, all of which was provoked by Equifax’s failure to patch a known cybersecurity vulnerability.
The importance of holding Equifax to account must not be underestimated. We hope that our group action will bring fair compensation to the victims, and will also send a message to Equifax and other data controllers that such negligence will not be tolerated.
NHS Digital data breach three-year anniversary
In July, it was three years since the NHS Digital data breach was first reported. This was a wide-reaching data protection incident in which tens of thousands of people had their personal information misused. NHS Digital was found to have caused personal data misuse after a system error denied patients the ability to choose how their information was processed and used.
Every patient should be able to exercise control over the use of their confidential health information, so the NHS Digital data incident represents a significant breach of patients’ data protection rights. It is for this reason that many patients affected by the incident could be eligible to claim compensation, and we are working on behalf of victims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We began to offer advice to potential claimants soon after the breach was reported, and we will continue to help as many victims as we can. However, given that three years have passed, claims may be different for anyone only just bringing one now, and further dates can prevent more victims from making a claim. As we often say, it is important that you seek advice as soon as possible if you were affected.
Compensation claims in data group actions
Due to the nature of data breaches, it is often the case that many people are affected by the same incident. One system insecurity can leave swathes of private information vulnerable, and even a momentary human error can cause irrevocable information exposure. For data breach incidents that involve dozens or even thousands of victims, we may decide to launch data group actions.
As specialists in group actions, we know how powerful a force we can create when we collect all the claims together in one lawsuit. We know that group litigation can seem like a complex and unfamiliar area of law to some of our clients, but we can assure you that we handle each claimant’s case with efficiency and minimal stress to you.
Having developed a specialism in data breach claims, our firm has brought group actions in response to many major data breaches, such as those which occurred at British Airways, Virgin Media, and Equifax. We believe that group litigation is the key to holding companies to account for data protection negligence, and we encourage anyone affected by a data breach to join us in our pursuit of justice.