Compensation from Council - Is this Reasonable?

msmicawber

Hi Elle,

Unless I've misunderstood, the amount you're thinking of asking for in compensation doesn't seem to include the costs of replacing all your documents - photos for passport, new birth and divorce certificates, passport, etc etc which are all expensive. If I were you, I would also include those sums and, no, I don't think what you're claiming is over the top at all. I'm not one for the claim culture either, but I think this is different as this is a benefits department whose job is to help people with hardship but who have caused further hardship, again.

msmicawber

P.S. Does this count as a breach of the Data Protection Act? It might be worth asking a solicitor - you may well be able to get a free consultation from a solicitor who handles legal aid claims. The idea is that they give you a free 30 mins in order to see whether you have a claim that would be covered by legal aid. However, if you're organised and articulate (which you definitely are), then you can get a lot of free advice anyway.