Thomas C. Grajek | July 17, 2025 | Florida Law
A data breach can be more than just an inconvenience. If your personal information was exposed in Lakeland, Florida, it could put you at risk of fraud, identity theft, and emotional distress. If you find yourself in these circumstances, you might be wondering whether you can take legal action and how much money you could claim.
While there’s no fixed payout for data breach victims, several factors can affect your possible compensation. Here is a closer look at how these claims work and what you should do if your information was compromised.
Can I File a Lawsuit for a Data Breach in Lakeland?
In many cases, yes. If your personal data was exposed because a business, government agency, or other organization failed to protect it, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Florida law requires companies to take reasonable steps to secure sensitive information. If they don’t, and you’re harmed as a result, they could be held legally responsible.
You may also be eligible to join a class action if other people were affected by the same breach. In either case, a lawyer can help you figure out your options.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive in a Data Breach Claim?
The amount you can claim depends on the specific harm you’ve suffered. In most data breach cases, victims can ask for money to cover economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- The cost of identity theft protection or credit monitoring
- Losses from unauthorized transactions or stolen funds
- Time spent dealing with the breach, such as replacing bank cards or updating accounts
- Emotional distress or anxiety
- Damage to your credit score
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
While some claims may be worth a few hundred dollars, others may reach thousands if your financial information was misused or if the breach caused long-term harm.
What Can I Do To Make My Claim Stronger?
Some data breach claims are easier to prove than others.
Your claim will likely be stronger if you can show:
- The breach was caused by poor security practices
- Your private data was actually stolen or misused
- You suffered clear financial losses or emotional harm
- The company failed to notify you in a timely manner
In Florida, companies must alert you “without unreasonable delay” if your personal data was accessed in a breach. If they fail to do so, that could support your case for compensation.
What Should I Do After a Data Breach in Lakeland?
If you believe your data was compromised in a breach, take the following steps right away to help protect your legal interests:
- Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for unusual activity
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus
- Keep records of any financial losses or time spent addressing the breach
- Avoid sharing additional personal information online
- Contact a data breach attorney in Lakeland to review your legal rights
Some types of identity theft don’t show up until months later, so it can be smart to take action proactively.
Contact The Lakeland Personal Injury Lawyers of Grajek Law Personal Injury Lawyers, About Your Data Breach Claim
Not all data breaches lead to serious harm, but Florida law may allow you to pursue a legal claim when they do. If you’ve been affected by a data breach in Lakeland, an experienced attorney can help you figure out how much your case might be worth and whether a lawsuit or class action makes sense.
Contact us today at Grajek Law Personal Injury Lawyers, for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options.
We serve Polk County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Grajek Law Personal Injury Lawyers Lakeland
2306 Florida Ave S Lakeland, FL 33803
(863)-999-9000