Claiming compensation

If you have had an accident or had trouble getting repairs to your home, you may want to find out what chance you have of claiming compensation. We'll explain what compensation is and what you can get it for; what costs are involved, and give you practical advice to help you make a successful claim.

Making a claim for compensation may not be the first thing on your mind after an accident or if you are trying to persuade your landlord to mend your roof. If you are injured you will be concentrating on getting better, and on practical things. But if you think what has happened wasn’t your fault, you may be thinking about claiming compensation.

Most compensation claims are for 'negligence', which is when a person or organisation has not taken reasonable care when they should have done.

To get compensation you have to show that somebody has not taken the care they should have. Just being injured, even if it is serious, doesn't mean that you will be able to claim compensation, because sometimes there is no one, apart from yourself, to blame.

Download our leaflet (659 KB) or see the menu on the right for more information.

If you have any comments about this guide please contact us using our form below.

Clare Shirtcliff
March 2007