Invasion Of Privacy And Damages: What To Know
Many associate civil cases with things like car accidents and slip and fall incidents. However, you can also take civil action against someone for an invasion of privacy. Read on and find out what type of damages you are owed after such an incident.
What Is Privacy?
There are no legal parameters for privacy. Privacy is up to each individual. With people posting all sorts of personal things on social media, what should be kept private can vary widely from one person to another. For instance, a nude photo on the Internet is not unusual. However, the person in the photo must give permission for it to be posted or it's an invasion of privacy. Permission is a big factor in invasion of privacy cases. To take legal action against someone, you must show that you did not give permission for the photos or anything else to be posted. However, if you posted it first, nothing can be done when it spreads to others.
Medical Privacy
Accidental releases of private information can be damaging. A hospital was in the news recently for recording women undergoing surgical procedures without their knowledge or permission. The cameras were set up by the hospital to monitor theft in the operating rooms. However, thousands of women were recorded having obstetrical and gynecological procedures being performed on them. Things like this often call for a class action suit since more than a single person was affected.
Understanding Damages
You can be paid money damages if you suffered from embarrassment and other forms of damage after an invasion of privacy incident. To gain compensation, victims should be prepared to detail the ways that the incident harmed them. In many cases, invasions of privacy involve victims suffering from these damages:
- Mental anguish
- Loss of employment or damage to a career
- Relationship harm
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
And more.
Intentional or Not
The law doesn't give perpetrators a break when it comes to intent. Whether it was intended to cause harm or not, the impact on the victim is the same. Accidental releases of private information, videos, photos, letters, documents, etc., happen all the time. Intent is not a recognized legal concept when it comes to invasions of privacy.
Taking Legal Action
If you or a loved one has been harmed by an invasion of privacy, speak to a personal injury attorney. They will evaluate your case and guide you through the process of taking legal action against the person or business that is responsible for the release.
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