After suffering harm from an e-commerce data breach, you might be interested in learning about the data breach claims process. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to report a data brech, how to claim compensation, and how our panel of data breach solicitors could assist you.

E-commerce data breach claims guide
We will also discuss how compensation awards are calculated for personal data breach claims. Since each case is valued individually and based on each unique circumstance, there is no average payout. But, there are guideline amounts that can be used for reference.
However, before we begin this guide, you might be interested in a consultation with our friendly advisors. They can confirm your eligibility to claim and give you an instant data protection breach compensation calculation.
To get in touch:
- Call our 24/7 advice line on 0800 408 7827
- Use the live chat feature for instant help
- Contact us for more information
Choose A Section
- When Are You Eligible To Claim For An E-Commerce Data Breach?
- Tips When Claiming For An E-Commerce Data Breach
- Potential Compensation That You Could Receive From A Data Breach Claim
- Is There A Time Limit When Claiming For A Data Protection Breach?
- Why Claim For A Data Breach On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More About Claiming For An E-Commerce Data Breach
When Are You Eligible To Claim For An E-Commerce Data Breach?
Before we discuss the eligibility criteria for an e-commerce data breach claim, you should be aware of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). These two pieces of legislation set out how organisations should ineract with the personal data of UK residents.
Personal data is information that identifies you. For example, this may include your postal address or phone number. The ICO defines a personal data breach as a security incident that compromises the integirty, confidentialiy, or availability of your personal data.
A data controller decides why and how your data is processed, whereas a processor then processes your data on their behalf. If a data controller or processor does not adhere to the legislation above, and this causes you to suffer harm, you may be able to make an e-commerce data breach claim.
Tips When Claiming For An E-Commerce Data Breach
It is essential for you to collect evidence ahead of making a data breach claim. The evidence you do gather should clearly show how the data breach occurred and how it affected you.
Examples of evidence may include:
- Correspondence with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – If you reported the breach to the ICO, the independent body dedicated to enforcing data protection law, their investigation and findings can be used as evidence that a breach occurred and you were affected.
- Correspondence with the organisation – If the data controller or processor made you aware that you were affected by a breach by letter or email, this can be used as evidence
- Medical evidence – Medical records or reports that illustrate the harm the breach has done to your psychological wellbeing can also help strengthen your claim
- Proof of financial harm – Bank statements can show that a breach led to your bank details or debit card information being stolen and used without your consent
These are just a few examples of how evidence could strengthen your claim. To learn more, contact our team today.
Potential Compensation That You Could Receive From A Data Breach Claim
In this section, we want to discuss how much compensation you could potentially receive in an e-commerce data breach claim. Non-material damage compensation is the head of claim that addresses the effect the breach has had on your mental wellbeing.
While every case is different, you can get a broad idea of what you could receive with help from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG is often used by solicitors when valuing claims, as it offers guideline settlement amounts for different injuries and illnesses.
Injury | Notes | Amount |
---|---|---|
Severe Psychiatric Damage | The prognosis is poor and your personal relationships are detrimentally affected. | £54,830 to £115,730 |
Moderately Severe Psychiatric Damage | Similar to the case above, though there is a better prognosis. | £19,070 to £54,830 |
Moderate Psychiatric Damage | The prognosis is good, and symptoms improve by the time of trial. | £5,860 to £19,070 |
Less Severe Psychiatric Damage | This bracket considers the length of time affected by the symptoms, and how badly they affect your daily life. | £1,540 to £5,860 |
Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | All aspects of your life, such as your ability to work, are severely and negatively impacted. | £59,860 to £100,670 |
Moderately Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | The prognosis is much better than in the bracket above, as symptoms can improve with professional help. | £23,150 to £59,860 |
Moderate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Any effects that are ongoing are not grossly disabling. | £8,180 to £23,150 |
Less Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | A virtually full recovery is expected within two years. | £3,950 to £8,180 |
Please note that these figures are not guarantees, and the actual compensation you may receive can vary.
Can You Claim For Material Damage In Data Breach Claims?
Material damage compensation addresses the damage the breach does to your financial wellbeing. For example, purchasing something online may require your credit card information. Therefore, if this information is breached, a cyber criminal may use your details to make purchases in your name. Not only can this leave you in debt, but it could affect your credit score.
Get in touch with our team today if you have suffered harm due to an e-commerce data breach. One of our advisors could tell you how much your data breach claim could be worth and offer more help.
Is There A Time Limit When Claiming For A Data Protection Breach?
There are time limits in place when making a personal data breach. These are:
- Six years to start a general personal data breach claim
- One year to start a data breach claim against a public body
Claims made outside of the relevant time limit may be dismissed. Get in touch with our advisors to find out whether you are within the time limit to make a claim for a data protection breach.
Why Claim For A Data Breach On A No Win No Fee Basis?
After reading this guide, you might be ready to make a claim following an e-commerce data breach. We recommend working with a data breach solicitor to help you prepare and present your claim. Our panel of solicitors offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis.
A No Win No Fee agreement such as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) can help you access legal representation, generally without having to pay an upfront fee to your solicitor. You also will not have to pay any ongoing costs for your solicitor to work on your case. If your claim is successful, then your solicitor will take a success fee from your award. This is capped by legislation in order for you to get the majority of your compensation. But, if your claim fails, your solicitor will not take this fee.
Want To Claim Using A Data Breach Solicitor From Our Panel? Contact Us For Free Today
Find out if you are eligible to make an e-commerce data breach claim when you get in touch with our team today. Our advisors can offer help through a free consultation, and if your claim is valid, they may put you in contact with aone of our panel’s solicitors. To learn more:
- Call our 24/7 advice line on 0800 408 7827
- Use the live chat feature for instant help
- Contact us for more information
Learn More About Claiming For An E-Commerce Data Breach
If you have enjoyed our guide, you may be interested in more of our articles:
- Website Data Breach Claims
- How To Use A Data Breach Compensation Calculator
- What To Do If You Suspect A Data Breach
The following resources may also come in useful:
That concludes our guide on claiming for an e-commerce data breach. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you seek additional information or advice.
Writer Lewis Julius
Editor Cat Hunt