Howard Coker | October 18, 2025 | Personal Injury
In today’s digital world, more and more of our personal information is stored online. While this is convenient, it also opens the door to data breaches. If your personal information is stolen, you may wonder if you can get compensation.
The answer is yes — in some cases, you can file a claim and recover money for the harm caused. This article explains how much you might be able to claim and what factors affect your case if you are a victim of a data breach.
What Is a Data Breach?
A data breach happens when private or sensitive information is accessed without permission. This can happen through hacking, lost or stolen devices, or even by mistake when a company shares information with the wrong person.
Breached data can include your name, Social Security number, medical records, bank details, or passwords. When this kind of information is leaked, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, financial loss, and emotional stress.
Victims of data breaches often face problems that take months or even years to fix. That’s why some people choose to take legal action and ask for compensation.
Can I Sue for a Data Breach in Florida?
Yes, you can sue for a data breach in Florida if the breach caused you harm. Florida law requires companies to protect your personal information. If they fail to do so and your data is exposed, they may be held responsible.
You may be able to file a lawsuit if:
- The company was careless with your data.
- You suffered damages like financial loss, identity theft, or emotional distress.
- The breach could have been prevented with better security.
Filing a data breach claim can help cover your losses and hold companies accountable. Many cases are handled as class-action lawsuits when large numbers of people are affected.
What Can I Get Compensation For?
Every case is different, but you may be able to receive money for different types of damages. These include:
- Financial losses: If the breach led to stolen money, fraudulent charges, or other direct losses, you may be able to recover that amount. You might also be reimbursed for credit monitoring services or fees for freezing and unfreezing your credit reports.
- Emotional distress: Many people experience stress, anxiety, and fear after a data breach. If your mental health has suffered, you may be able to seek compensation for emotional pain.
- Time and inconvenience: Some courts may also consider the time and effort you spent fixing the problems caused by the breach — such as calling banks, closing accounts, or dealing with credit bureaus.
In some cases, victims can receive statutory damages, which means you may get a set amount of money without having to prove financial harm. However, this depends on the laws that apply to your specific case.
How Much Can I Claim?
The amount you can claim depends on several factors. In some cases, people have received a few hundred dollars, while others have won thousands. Some large class-action lawsuits have settled for millions of dollars — divided among many victims.
The main factors that affect the value of your claim include:
- The type of data that was stolen
- The amount of damage caused
- Whether your identity was stolen or used in fraud
- If the company was negligent or ignored warnings
- Whether the case is part of a class-action lawsuit or an individual claim
If your Social Security number or financial information was stolen and used, you may have a stronger claim than someone whose email address was leaked. The more serious the breach and the more harm it caused, the more your claim may be worth.
Don’t Let a Data Breach Go Unnoticed
If your private information has been exposed, you don’t have to suffer in silence. A data breach can affect your life in serious ways — from lost money to ongoing stress. Knowing your rights and speaking with a lawyer can help you take control of the situation.
At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been affected by a data breach, don’t wait.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville personal injury law firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County and its surrounding areas.
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers
136 E Bay St #5438
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 356-6071
Find us with our Geo Coordinates: 30.32569719086265, -81.65515220132858
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Attorney Howard Coker is the founder of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, he has dedicated his career to representing individuals in serious personal injury cases. With more than four decades of courtroom experience and over 350 jury trials, Howard is recognized as one of Florida’s top trial attorneys. His commitment to justice ensure every client receives the strong, personalized representation they deserve. Check our recent case results.
Location: Jacksonville, FL