Clamped Illegally

Hi.

I recently woke up to find my car was clamped illegally by clamping company in my estate. My permit was on display yet was clamped. I had to pay to get it removed and told to appeal to which they said they have a number of weeks to review which by law is true.

I told them I want compensation for the hassle, distress late for work, embarrasment in front of neighbours. They agreed to refund me but won't entertain compensation. I'm livid they can
Illegally clamp me and expect me to be happy to get my money back.

I rang 6 solicitors and 1 got back and she said I had no case effectively as I have to show i had a monetary loss which i don't because i worked the time i missed in work.
Now i am fuming as apparently this company can do what they want and I got to just take it with effectively no recourse.

Is this the really the case? Can anybody offer advice on how to proceed?