How has Hayes Connor Solicitors been helping our clients?

At Hayes Connor, we have been working to defend consumer rights for over 50 years. True experts in data breach law, today, this is all we do, and we have been doing it longer than most other solicitors. But, in addition to our experience and know-how when it comes to winning data breach claims, we also remain committed to improving the service we provide to our clients. To help us achieve this, here are just some of the things we have been up to over the past 12 months.

We won over £500,000 in damages for our clients

In 2019, we worked tirelessly for our clients and managed to win over £500,000 in damages. What's more:

• We saw the average amount recovered for clients increase by over 25%
• We secured the largest amount of compensation for an individual claimant. In this case, the client was awarded £100,000
• 75% of our claims were concluded in under nine months.

We anticipate further growth in 2020!

We made things easier for our clients

In 2019, we also reviewed the look and flow of our website to make sure clients could find everything they needed as quickly as possible. We also used technology to simplify the enquiries process and increase the speed of response. Automating as much as possible, all our forms are now online, and we only use paper where requested.

We were delighted that our efforts in this area were recognised when we were highly commended for our client-focused approach to marketing at the Symphony Legal Annual Conference and shortlisted for our achievements at the Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Awards.

"We know that making a data breach compensation claim can be difficult. So, at Hayes Connor, we do everything we can to ensure people feel informed and confident when starting a claim. That includes educating people on their rights and making the claims process as hassle-free as possible. In 2019 we were delighted to be recognised for our efforts and commitment to our customers. And we will continue to make improvements to our online presence in 2020."

Amy Smeaton, Head of Business Development & Marketing, Hayes Connor Solicitors

We pursued a number of group actions to help our clients get the compensation they deserve

Last year, we continued to pursue a number of group actions. A group action claim is where a group of people - sometimes even thousands of people - have been affected by the same issue. Where cases are very similar, group actions can be a powerful tool and can have a bigger impact than a single claim.

This made us want to take a deeper look at the long-term consequences of a data breach. And, to shed some light on the emotional impact of privacy violations, we interviewed renowned clinical psychologist Professor Hugh C. H. Koch - visiting professor in law and psychology at Birmingham City University School of Law. He told us that:

"Data breach victims typically experience high levels of anxiety, specific to the data breach but also generalised to other aspects of dealing with correspondence, telephone and digital communication and payment for services. Victims experience social anxiety, with difficulties dealing with friends and neighbours, tradesmen, shopping transactions and can develop oversensitivity or paranoia in their communications with others. They can also develop varying aspects of mood disturbances or depression especially including poor sleep and tearfulness."

This understanding of the lasting and substantial damage that can be caused by a data breach is crucial to ensuring our clients get the compensation they need.

We continued to raise awareness about data breaches

In 2019, we launched our #NotJustHackers campaign. This initiative demonstrates how simple cases of human error and poor processes can lead to data breaches and cause significant harm to individuals. Through this campaign, we hoped to raise data protection standards across the UK and help keep people safe.

Ultimately, we were able to show how data breach cases can put people's mental health and even their lives at risk. And, that downplaying the impact of a data breach claim is extremely disrespectful to the victims.

The UK's best data protection law firm

At Hayes Connor Solicitors we make sure you receive adequate compensation for the breach of your personal information. This includes financial and medical harm, as well as anguish and anxiety.

Crucially, if an organisation has failed to protect your personal data, you have a right to claim compensation. Even if you haven't suffered as a result.

In larger cases, we work alongside expert data protection barristers. This means you will get the very best level of legal support available.

With all the experience and expertise needed to win against even the biggest of companies, we work with you to protect your rights and hold organisations to account for their failures.