What are My Legal Rights if I Received the FBI Letter or DOJ Letter?

Several student athletes from around the United States received a letter from the FBI about former University of Michigan football coach Matt Weiss.  Other victims received an email from the U.S. Department to Justice Victims Notification System to advise them about the computer hack that allowed the coach to access personal photos and videos for the athletes. Coach Weiss was recently arrested and charged with computer crimes. He is out on bond and further criminal proceedings are scheduled for him criminal case.

The big question is “what are my legal rights if I received the FBI letter regarding the Michigan coach data breach?” If you received the letter from the FBI advising you that your personal photos and information were unlawfully accessed, you may have a claim for compensation.

What are my Legal Options to Pursue Compensation?

There are two legal cases arising out of the Matt Weiss data breach and computer hacking incident. First, there is the criminal proceeding for his unlawful conduct.

Criminal matters are being handled by the U.S. Attorney General Office and these charges seek criminal penalties, like incarceration, probation, and fines against the coach himself. He is entitled to a presumption of innocence, and his fate will be decided by a judge or jury.

Victims who received the FBI letter can also pursue a civil lawsuit against Matt Weiss and the University of Michigan. There may be additional defendants who were responsible for preventing computer hacks and unlawful data access from the university computers.

How Does a Hacking Victim File a Claim for Compensation?

If you received the FBI letter or the U.S. Department of Justice email  saying that your social media accounts were hacked by Matt Weiss, you can file a civil claim for compensation. A Michigan data breach lawsuit lawyer can help if you were a computer crime victim by Matt Weiss, Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator.

The FBI has so far determined that Matt Weiss used University of Michigan computers to unlawfully access over 3,300 student athletes. Victims of the breach can pursue civil lawsuits for damages and institutions can also be held liable if they fail to protect sensitive data, underscoring the importance of robust legal protections. Invasion of privacy is a basis for civil lawsuits.

What is Invasion of Privacy?

Invasion of privacy involves infringement upon an individual’s right to privacy by several intrusive or unwanted actions. These invasions of privacy can include:’

• Physical encroachments on a person’s private property
• Taking unauthorized photos and videos of a person
• Accessing a person’s private e-mail or text messages
• Unauthorized access to a person’s private social media accounts

Access to this information, even if not disclosed to others, has a profound effect on the victims’ mental and emotional state. Private, personal, and intimate photos and information accessed by an unauthorized person causes embarrassment, humiliation, and other emotional harm.

Suing the University of Michigan for Invasion of Privacy

You may be able to sue the University of Michigan for invasion of privacy if your personal accounts were hacked and accessed by Matt Weiss. Much work and investigation must be done to determine if this cybercrime attack was preventable by the school with proper oversight and procedures to protect against its computers being used for criminal purposes.

Victims of digital abuse have several avenues to seek justice and compensation. They can pursue civil claims for damages related to privacy violations, emotional suffering, and even potential medical expenses linked to the breaches. These lawsuits can provide financial relief and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Moreover, institutions that failed to protect sensitive information can also be held liable. Victims can seek financial compensation through civil lawsuits against universities and vendors if it can be demonstrated that these entities neglected their duty to safeguard private data. This dual approach not only addresses immediate harm but also promotes systemic change to prevent future breaches.

How Do I File a U of M Data Breach Lawsuit?

There will likely be a class action lawsuit filed against The University of Michigan and separate lawsuits filed by individuals. With over 3,000 victims, there will be many legal procedural obstacles to navigate to file and qualify for a settlement.

If you received a letter from the FBI or any other entity advising you that Matt Weiss unlawfully accessed your personal data, photos, or video, you should contact our award-winning law firm today. We will protect your legal rights and pursue claims on your behalf.

Is there a Coach Weiss Class Action Lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit has not been filed as of March 25, 2025, for invasion of privacy claims against the University of Michigan for the Coach Matt Weiss computer hacking incidents. A class action case may be filed shortly, and you may be able to join if you were a victim.