At Lacey Solicitors, we understand how distressing it can be to learn that your personal information has been mishandled. Whether it’s your financial data, medical records or employment details – your privacy matters. Our data protection and privacy law solicitors in Dublin and Belfast, help individuals, employees, and professionals across Ireland and Northern Ireland take action when organisations fail to protect their personal data.
With specialist advice in data protection, privacy and GDPR claims and a proven track record of successful outcomes, we are here to help you claim compensation and protect your constitutional rights.
What Is a Data Breach Under GDPR?
A data breach occurs when personal data is lost, shared, exposed, or accessed without permission. This could happen due to poor cybersecurity, human error, or even malicious hacking. Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Acts, individuals are entitled to claim compensation if they’ve suffered emotional, psychological, or financial harm due to a breach.
Common examples of GDPR data breaches include:
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Sending emails or letters containing personal data to the wrong person
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Files or databases being left unsecured or accessible to unauthorised parties
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Sensitive health information being shared without consent
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Data being exposed during a cyberattack due to inadequate IT systems
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Personal details being leaked online or passed to third parties without your knowledge
Who Is Responsible?
Under GDPR, organisations that collect and process personal data – called Data Controllers – are legally required to protect it. The law requires data controllers to demonstrate ‘accountability.’ The business should establish clear, documented procedures to continuously review and monitor the data they collect. This includes employers, public sector bodies, healthcare providers, insurers, financial institutions, and online service platforms.
If they fail to uphold these duties, and your data is breached as a result, they may be liable to compensate you.
Real-World Data Breach Cases at Lacey Solicitors
At Lacey Solicitors, we have acted in a number of high-profile and sensitive data breach matters, including:
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The PSNI Data Breach (2023): We represent several PSNI officers whose personal and employment data, including names, ranks and work locations, were mistakenly published online. Many clients expressed genuine concerns for their safety and are now pursuing claims for distress and loss of privacy.
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NHS Medical Records Misuse: We acted for a Antrim-based client whose confidential medical notes were inappropriately accessed by a third party following a poorly handled subject access request. The breach resulted in considerable emotional distress and embarrassment and we ultimately secured a settlement of several thousand pounds.
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Banking and Financial Data Breaches: We have pursued claims for clients whose financial data was exposed due to outdated cyber security practices or internal processing errors at financial institutions.
Each case is handled with care, discretion, and strategic legal insight to maximise your entitlement and hold organisations accountable.
What Can You Claim For?
As outlined in our previous article You may be entitled to claim for:
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Emotional distress or anxiety
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Damage to your reputation or professional standing
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Financial loss, fraud or identity theft
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Loss of control over personal information
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Breach of confidence
Compensation for Data Breach Claims in Ireland:
| Type of Breach | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Basic contact data breach | €1,000 – €2,500 |
| Confidential health or HR records | €3,000 – €6,500 |
| Financial or identity theft breach | €5,000 – €15,000+ |
| High-risk exposure (e.g. PSNI) | €8,500 – €25,000+ |
Each case is assessed individually. The more serious the impact, the higher the potential award.
What Are My Rights Under GDPR?
You have strong legal rights under GDPR, including the right to:
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Be informed how your data is being used
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Access your personal information on request
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Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data
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Erase data in certain circumstances (“right to be forgotten”)
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Restrict or object to processing
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Claim compensation for unlawful processing or data loss
If you’re not satisfied with an organisation’s response, you also have the right to make a complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Ireland or the Information Commissioner’s Office in Northern Ireland — or to take legal action with our help.
How Lacey Solicitors Can Help
At Lacey Solicitors, we combine legal precision with compassionate client service. Whether the breach involves public bodies, employers, medical organisations, or private companies, our dedicated data protection team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Why Choose Us?
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Proven Track record in GDPR and Privacy Law Claims in both Ireland and Northern Ireland
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Offices in Dublin and Belfast – Local knowledge with cross-border capability
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Discreet, strategic approach tailored to your needs
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Free initial advice and transparent fees
Take Action Today
If your personal data has been exposed, mishandled or used without your consent, you do not have to accept it. At Lacey Solicitors, we are here to help you hold the responsible party accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, our experienced data protection solicitors offer clear, confidential advice tailored to your situation. Contact us today by phone or through our secure online enquiry form to begin your data breach claim.
