Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, manufacturers are responsible for any defective products that are sold to the public. So, if you’ve been injured or experienced damage from a faulty electrical product, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Common things people claim for include:
- Burns
- Electric shocks
- Property damage
- Lung damage due to smoke inhalation.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Whatever the injuries or damage you’ve sustained from a defective electrical device, contact us to discuss your circumstances. We’ll let you know if you’re eligible to make a compensation claim.
In some cases, it might also be possible to make a claim against the retailer that sold the defective electrical product. We will be able to give advice on this, and whether a claim against the retailer or the manufacturer is the best course of action.
To make a compensation claim for an injury or illness caused by a defective product, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with us for a free consultation. We'll discuss what's happened to you, advise you on whether or not we think you can claim, and work out whether you could benefit from a No Win No Fee* arrangement.
If you do decide to make a claim with us, we'll usually follow the same three stages:
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Investigation. We'll begin by determining the extent of your injury or illness, and any losses that you may experience as a result. This may involve an examination carried out by a medical expert
- Compensation. We'll work out how much compensation you should get based on the severity of your injuries, your pain and suffering, any medical expenses you've had, and your ability to get back to work. We'll put this amount to your opponent, and they can either accept or contest your claim.
- Conclusion. If your opponent accepts liability, you'll be awarded compensation. If not, court proceedings will begin.
Starting proceedings doesn't mean that your claim will definitely go to trial. Instead, it means that the court will put a timetable in place and manage your claim towards trial. There is still the possibility for your opponent to settle.
If you do have to go to court, we'll be there to support you every step of the way. If we agreed to handle your claim under a No Win No Fee* arrangement, then you won't have to pay anything if you are unsuccessful.
If you have any questions about the claims process, please contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for your free initial consultation.
To start your claim for compensation, get in touch with us. We’ll set up a free initial consultation with one of our solicitors for you to discuss what happened to you. Once we’ve learnt more about the situation, we’ll advise you on whether you could make a claim and make you aware of all the funding options.
You don’t need to go any further than this consultation if you don’t wish. However, if you decide to pursue your compensation claim with us, we’ll start by collecting evidence to support your case. Evidence that can be used may include:
- Receipts
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Photographic or video evidence
- Independent medical expert testimony.
Once we’ve gathered as much evidence as possible, we’ll contact the individual or company responsible for your injuries. If they accept blame, we’ll work to get you interim payments, which can be used to pay for ongoing treatment and make up for any lost earnings. Interim payments are paid in advance of your claim being settled and are deducted from your final compensation amount.
Although we aim to keep defective electrical appliances claims from going to court, we may need to start proceedings if:
- Your opponent denies responsibility
- They disagree with how much compensation we feel you need.
If we need to go to court, we’ll make sure you’re as comfortable and prepared as possible. Even after trial dates have been set, your claim could still be settled out of court.
Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk* to you when making a compensation claim.
At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI) or are covered by a trade union policy, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household or car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.
If we think you're best supported by a No Win No Fee* agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. You'll only have to pay anything if your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees, with the remaining costs coming out of your compensation settlement.
Please visit our No Win No Fee page for more information on how it works.
In defective product claims it is not unusual for lots of people to have been affected by the same product, but group actions can arise in many different areas not just defective products.
In some cases a group action may be appropriate way for the court to manage a number of similar claims together without having a trial of each individual claim. Group actions can help people to share legal expertise as well as the cost by working together, to try and maximise the chances of being fully and fairly compensated for your trauma.
We have extensive experience in pursuing group actions relating to many different types of claim, including for defective products, drugs and medical devices.
The expertise and results achieved for our clients means that IM are the most highly ranked personal injury firm in the UK by two independent leading legal reviews.
If you're unsure about whether making a group claim is right for you, it's best to seek some advice. Contact us and we'll be able to advise you on the options.
How much compensation you receive for an injury caused by a defective product will depend on various factors related to your injury, its circumstances, and the support and rehabilitation you need.
The amount of compensation you could claim will depend on many factors, including:
- Current and future loss of earnings from being unable to return to work
- Medical and travel expenses you've had to pay
- Your care and support needs – both now and in the future
- Whether you need modifications to your home
- Whether you need mobility aids or specialist equipment
- Your pain and suffering, and the nature of any ongoing problems you have
For more information, call us on 0800 056 4110 and we'll be happy to discuss your options in a free initial consultation.
We can’t say how much compensation you could claim from a defective electrical product until we’re aware of the circumstances.
Speak to us today in a free initial consultation and we’ll be able to put a value on your claim. The amount of compensation awarded varies from case to case and is calculated based on various factors, including:
- The injuries you sustained
- Your long-term health needs
- Expenses you’ve incurred due to your injuries
- Loss of earnings
- Any modifications you need making to your home
- Specialist equipment or treatment you need.
We’ll always make sure your compensation amount considers all these areas.
In the UK, you’ve three years to make a defective electrical product claim. The time limit starts from the date you sustained an injury from an electrical device.
There are some exceptions to this time limit. People without the mental capacity to make their own claim don’t have any time limits on claiming.
If a child under 18 years of age was injured by a defective electrical device, the time limit doesn’t apply until their 18th birthday. This means they’ve until their 21st birthday to start a claim.
This is subject to a 10 year time limit for claims under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, which starts when the defective product went into circulation. If this 10 year time limit expires, it's not possible to make a claim under the Consumer Protection Act. This even applies to children and adults who lack capacity to bring a claim themselves.
Whatever the circumstances, it’s always best to start making a claim as soon as possible. This is because the details will be fresher in your mind and the minds of any witnesses, and the evidence will be easier to gather.
Yes, if a loved one lost their life through injuries caused by a faulty electrical product, you can make a claim on their behalf.
Fatal accident claims can be made within three years of the date of the person’s death. Compensation received from these types of claims can be used to cover:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- The pain and suffering your loved one may have gone through
- Loss of benefits, such as pensions, if you were financially dependent on them.
Speak to us today about claiming on behalf of your loved one.
