If you’ve been affected by a data breach in Kennesaw, Georgia, you may wonder how much you can claim. The amount you can recover depends on several factors, including the type of information stolen, the actual damages you suffered, and the circumstances of the breach.
Understanding your legal rights and potential compensation can help you make informed decisions about pursuing a claim.
Understanding Data Breach Compensation
Data breach compensation varies by case, with victims receiving anything from small payments to thousands of dollars based on their losses and the size of the settlement fund. The type of compromised information matters—Social Security numbers, financial data, and medical records typically lead to higher payouts than basic contact details.
Victims of identity theft often qualify for the most compensation due to the effort required to repair the damage. Settlements usually include cash for losses, reimbursement for time spent, and free credit monitoring.
Types of Damages You Can Claim
Victims of data breaches may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the scope of the breach and the harm experienced.
Economic damages typically include:
- Costs for credit monitoring or identity protection services
- Fees to freeze or unfreeze credit reports
- Bank charges from unauthorized transactions
- Lost wages from time taken off work
- Expenses related to identity theft recovery
Non-economic damages focus on the emotional and time-related toll, such as:
- Stress, anxiety, or emotional distress
- Time spent managing the breach, often reimbursed at $15–$25 per hour
Many settlements also provide long-term benefits like extended credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and restoration support beyond the initial incident.
Factors That Affect Your Claim Amount
Several factors influence how much compensation you may receive in a data breach settlement. The size of the settlement fund and the number of affected individuals directly affect individual payouts—larger breaches often mean smaller per-person payments.
Your ability to document losses, such as receipts, bank statements, or time spent responding to the breach, can increase your compensation. Additionally, the type and severity of the breach matter, as well as stolen Social Security numbers, financial data, or medical records, typically lead to higher payouts than breaches involving only basic contact information.
Recent Data Breach Settlement Examples
Recent major data breach settlements provide insight into potential compensation amounts. The Equifax settlement resulted in up to $425 million in consumer benefits, with victims eligible for up to $125 in cash payments plus reimbursement for documented losses.
The 2024 23andMe settlement allocated $30 million for victims of their 2023 data breach, with payments varying based on documented damages and the number of claims filed. AT&T recently agreed to a $177 million settlement for customers affected by their data breaches, with maximum payouts ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the specific breach.
These examples demonstrate that while some victims receive modest payments, others with documented damages can recover substantial amounts. The key is understanding what compensation is available and properly documenting your losses and time spent addressing the breach.
Georgia Data Breach Laws and Your Rights
Georgia’s data breach notification laws require companies to notify affected individuals when their personal information has been compromised. However, the law focuses primarily on notification requirements rather than creating specific damages remedies for victims.
Georgia law defines personal information as your name, combined with your Social Security number, driver’s license number, financial account information, or other identifying information. Companies must notify you as soon as possible after discovering a breach that affects your unencrypted personal information.
While Georgia’s breach notification statute doesn’t create automatic damage rights, affected individuals can still pursue claims under other legal theories, including negligence, breach of contract, and consumer protection violations.
When To Contact a Lawyer
While many data breach cases result in class action settlements that don’t require individual legal representation, certain circumstances may warrant consulting with an attorney. If you’ve suffered substantial financial losses or identity theft, an experienced lawyer can help you understand your options.
To schedule a free consultation with a Kennesaw data breach lawyer, reach out to Starks Byron, P.C.
Contact the Kennesaw personal injury lawyers from Starks Byron, P.C. for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710,
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
