David Fraser writes:
The Federal Court of Canada has just issued a decision in Girao v. Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP, 2011 FC 1070 (CanLII), in which it found a law firm liable for having posted on its website a previous report of findings from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada along with a cover letter that identified the complainant.
As is clear from the decision, this arises from a long-standing string of litigation and privacy complaints involving the complainant and All State Insurance. The firm was counsel to the insurer. The firm had posted the document thinking it would be useful and instructive to its clients.
The complainant said that the firm posted her personal information without her consent and should be liable for $5,000,000 in damages.
The Court agreed that it was a breach of PIPEDA and awarded $1500.
Read more on Canadian Privacy Law Blog.