Can I sue a company for giving my paperwork to the wrong person with my personal information on it?
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Can I sue a company for giving my paperwork to the wrong person with my personal information on it?
I went to an office store to fax information to the star franchise board with all my personal information on it. The employee gave my paperwork to a woman instead of me and she left with it. Since the paperwork had all my personal info, is there is anything I can do?
Asked on February 9, 2012 under General Practice, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you suffer any injury which could be traced to this act--for example, identity theft; items charged to your account; damage to your credit rating; etc.--you may be able to sue the store for compensation; when someone causes you injury, damage, or loss due to their negligence (or unreasonable carelessness), they can be held liable for the consequences. However, the legal system only provides compensation for actual, not theoretical, losses or injuries; if you do not suffer any injury, you could not recover compensation.
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