Month: November 2021

Winter Weather & Housing Disrepair Claims: How to keep safe

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

Now that winter has fully hit the UK, you may have noticed that there is a lot of snow, rain and ice on your council house and around the streets where you live. Unfortunately, if your home is suffering from disrepairs during this time, it is likely that the winter weather will end up making them worse. Not only can holes in your accommodation invite pestilence and vermin in, but you will find it much harder to keep out the cold. That means you may end up having heating problems or mould and damp that grows inside of your house. Winter is a stressful time for the home owner. That’s why if you do end up suffering from housing disrepairs, it’s time for you to start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims with Gowing Law Solicitors.

Our specialists are here to assist you if you house is suffering from damages that are beyond your control. Winter weather could cause severe disrepairs that could put you and your family at risk, especially if your landlord refuses to have them sorted out. That’s why our solicitors are here to ensure that you get the repairs completed and your compensation received. Feel free to get in touch to get started on your housing disrepair claim. You can call us on 0800 041 8350 or by visiting our website below:

What do I need to know about Housing Disrepairs?

If you are suffering from housing disrepairs, it means that your house is damaged and this is putting you and your family at risk. Whether you live in a council house or a property from the housing association, it’s the responsibility of your landlord to ensure that you are safe in your home. They need to fix any damages that were not your fault. Your landlord is responsible for the following:

Ensuring internal and external structures are safe
Sorting out any issues with essential appliances
Making sure the house is secure and is in accordance with fire safety
Keeping hot water and gas running
Dealing with any nuisances that could hurt you and your family
Getting rid of or inform you of any mould or damp in the property

If you have noticed that your house has started to experience disrepair, it is your responsibility to talk to your landlord about getting them fixed. If you leave the disrepairs for too long then they could end up getting much worse. That’s why it’s crucial that you give your landlord at least one month as a notice period to have them sorted. If they fail to help you, this could be a sign of negligence. Take a look below to find out how you should go about alerting your landlord to housing disrepairs:

Housing Disrepairs: Landlord Negligence

In most cases, you will find that your landlord will do their best to ensure that your disrepairs are sorted as quickly as possible. They may come round to your house to inspect the damages and then send over an engineer or repair worker to get the disrepairs sorted out. However, if they fail to help you, you may end up having the disrepairs get worse due to the amount of time they are exposed or left alone. You can do your best to try and lessen the impact of the disrepairs, however it’s likely that they will either get worse naturally or will just eventually return to being in a state of disrepair.

When you sign your contract with your landlord, they owe you a “duty of care.” Therefore, they are responsible for your safety whilst you live in their council house or property from the housing association. If they fail to do this then, they could be liable for any damages that you experience. This is due to the fact that they are guilty of negligence.

Some example of negligence include:

Your landlord ignores your requests for help
The repairs are cheaply fixed and made worse
The landlord fixes the disrepairs and makes them worse
Your landlord becomes aggressive with you about the disrepairs
You are told you need to pay for any repair work

If your landlord fails to help you sort out your disrepair, you could be owed compensation if it ends up getting worse or if you end up getting hurt due to the disrepair. This is when you need to get started on looking into housing disrepair claims.

You could be eligible for compensation if your claim falls into one of three categories:

Keep in mind that your claim could fall into more than just one category of damages. Let’s say your were suffering from mould and damp because of the cold weather. If you suffer from asthma, it could get worse due to the damages, therefore you suffered from personal injuries. The mould could have spread to your clothes. This is an example of damage to belongings. If the mould has covered your bathroom or bedroom, this may mean that you are sleeping somewhere else. This is an example of inconvenience. Let your solicitor know about what type of damages you suffered from. The more damages you have, the more likely it is that you could claim a higher amount of compensation.

Housing Disrepairs and Winter Weather

The worst time of the year for housing disrepairs is winter. Not only is it really cold, but this can affect the condition of your house. If your home is from the 1960’s or 1980’s, it could already be in need of structural repairs. However, the cold or wet weather could ultimately make the disrepairs worse.

Some of the most common disrepairs in winter include:

Mould and damp
Holes in the structure of the house
Vermin infestation
Central heating issues

By leaving the housing disrepairs to get worse, you could experience higher utility bills due to excess heat or energy needed to live comfortably in your home. You may also experience a lot of inconvenience due to the fact that you may not have any hot water for baths or cooking, and you may even need to use candle light or torches if your house regularly loses power. You should not be worried about making housing disrepair claims in winter. The weather may be bad, but your landlord still has a responsibility to ensure that you are safe throughout the entire year. Even if it is snowy or raining, they should be organizing the repair work.

Central Heating and Housing Disrepair Claims

One of the most common problems that you may encounter during winter weather is a heating breakage. Your heating is going to be the life blood of your home during the winter times. As we are currently experiencing temperatures that are below -1c, it’s important that you and your family are able to keep warm. That way you can avoid getting ill before Christmas.

If your boiler or central heating breaks on you, you may find that your house becomes almost impossible to live in because it gets too cold. It may ultimately mean that you are unable to have any hot water or that you are unable to use radiators or under floor heating to keep your house toasty.

Small children and the elderly are extremely vulnerable to low temperatures. Therefore, it is more likely that they could get sick if your landlord refuses to send someone over to have the heating fixed. To keep safe when you are having boiler or central heating problems, make sure to

Wear lots of different clothing layers
Close the curtains in the evening to keep heat inside the house
Use as many blankets as possible.
Close the doors and stay in one room
Use hot water bottles
Indulge in hot drinks or food
Purchase a portable heater or radiator

You may also want to stay in one room with your family. That way your body heat will assist in heating up the room rather than if you are all spread apart. Pick a relatively large room so that you are not crowded together.

Housing Disrepair Claims: Holes in your home

Another problem you may encounter due to bad winter weather are holes, cracks or breaks within the structure, windows or doors in your home. This is due to the wet and damp making your house expand and contract, meaning that there is a weakening of the external and internal structure. The breaks in your house could cause cold to get in or allow for pests or vermin to live inside your house. This could allow for the spread of disease or could leave your house feeling extremely cold. If the cold weather causes breaks in glass structures, such as windows or doors, be very careful around them. You do not want to cut yourself or let vulnerable people near them. If you do end up getting hurt due to glass breaking, go to a hospital to have the personal injury tended to as quickly as possible.

To keep safe when there is a hole in your home, try to cover the area with a cloth, tape, card or some sort of blockage. That way you can keep the cold and pests out. You should also invest in some security. Big Cracks or holes in your house could increase your chance of someone trying to invade your home as they have easy access. You can also cover holes and cracks with fabric or curtains until a professional comes around to have it fixed.

Housing Disrepair Claims: Mould and Damp

Slipping on some ice should be the last thing you worry about when it comes to housing disrepair claims. The most common housing disrepair claim in general is usually made about mould and damp. This can grow in humid areas of your house that has a build-up of water moisture in the air. Usually, this is your bathroom or kitchen, however it can also grow where there is exposure to the outside, such as on windows or ceilings. As you are currently using your heating, this could increase the spread of mould in your house, especially as the outdoor temperatures are plummeting.

Unfortunately, mould and damp is extremely hard to get rid of, especially in the winter time. You may end up needing professional help, including fumigation where you may need to move into a temporary residence. If you fail to do this, mould and damp can spread spores that could worsen breathing problems. They can also spread to fabric and clothing and ruin them, as well as leave an odd smell on them. It’s best to get mould and damp sorted out as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, you can do the following to protect yourself and your family:

Keep your windows open to allow air to come into your house
Try to keep your doors open
Use mould sprays on intense patches of mould
Avoid rooms with intense areas of mould and damp
Make sure to dry wet areas, such as windows or your bathroom
Buy a humidifier

By doing this, you can lessen the spread of mould until a professional can sort out the disrepair.

Housing Disrepair Claims: Vermin and Pests

During the winter time, vermin and pests may try to make nests within your home. It is cold outside, therefore they are going to look for a place that has food, shelter and the right materials to use for nesting. Unfortunately, if there is access to the inside of your house, you will find that bugs, mice and rats will try to enter inside of it. They may stay within the walls or they may find ways to enter other areas of your home, including your kitchen and to your food and drink supply.

Vermin and pests can defecate and urinate near your food. That means they are more likely to spread disease via your food. To identify pests in your home, listen out carefully for the sounds of scuttling or bite marks in your furniture or food. You should check out holes in fabric that mice or rats may have taken as bedding. If you are bitten by a flea, bedbug or rat, you must go to hospital for treatment and examination. There is a chance that disease could be spread due to their bite that could get worse without creams or antibiotic.

To protect yourself and your family from rats and vermin:

Leave out mice and rat traps around vulnerable areas
Board up exposed areas of flooring and walls
Put food away in safe storage spaces that mice can’t get to
Wash bedding regularly
Call a fumigator

What should I do if I have a housing disrepair claim to be made?

The first thing to do is don’t panic. Housing disrepairs in winter are very common. It’s not your fault that your landlord left your disrepairs to get worse. You don’t deserve to suffer during the coldest months of the year. That’s why you should get in contact with our housing disrepair claims specialists to get started. We will talk you through your claim and start to work on getting you compensation. At the same time, we will organize a triage assessor to come over to look over the disrepairs.

Take a look below to get a better idea of the process that will then be undertaken during your claim:

If you have any questions, make sure to speak to your solicitor. They will help you organize your claim and your evidence. You can use photographs, videos, witness statements and receipts to back up your claim. We can work with your landlord on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation and repairs that you deserve.

Learn more about making a Housing Disrepair Claim

It can be frustrating when it gets to winter time and your house is full of disrepairs. You don’t deserve to have you and your family put at risk due to your landlord’s negligence. In fact, it is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that your house is completely safe for you and your family to live in. If they fail to do this, you could be owed compensation for any damages that you have experienced. This is due to the fact that you are suffering from negligence. A solicitor from Gowing Law can help you with this.

Our law firm can provide you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, our solicitors can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top because you will never have to pay any hidden fees. You will only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case. So, why not get started on your case today?

Learn more about how Gowing Law can help you with your housing disrepair claim by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to discuss any questions that you may have about your claim. Feel free to ask them anything that comes to mind.

Find out about Housing Disrepair Claims

Are you interested in learning more about housing disrepair claims? The best place to visit is Gowing Law’s blog page. Every week we create brand new blogs for you to enjoy. These blogs are about UK legal claims, seasonal events, updates about our law firm and even the occasional competition or giveaway. We are even open to your suggestions for our blog. Feel free to send your topics into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Make sure to also sign up to our newsletter below to find out what our law firm has been up to recently:

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We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

How much compensation could I be owed for a beauty claim?

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Beauty Claims, Blog, Cosmetic Claims, Covid-19, Uncategorised

Now that we are getting to the end of the year, and towards the much anticipated Christmas season, it’s time for you to go out and get the beauty treatments that you deserve. Whether you would prefer a trip to a hair salon, a nail treatment or perhaps your make-up completed by a beauty specialist, you deserve to feel good about yourself and your appearance. Just keep in mind that it’s important that you keep as safe as possible, so if you do end up getting hurt, it’s time to make a beauty claim.

The pandemic is still here and it’s crucial that you remain safe as the weather gets colder. That way you can avoid getting ill. Your salon will have procedures in place to ensure that you are kept safe from spreading Covid-19. However, there is still a chance that you could still suffer from an accident due to your beauty treatment. If this is the case then you could be owed compensation for any damages that you have suffered from through a beauty claim. Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with this.

The more damages you have experienced, the more likely it is you will receive a higher amount of compensation for your injuries. Find out how Gowing Law Solicitors can assist with a beauty claim by calling us on 0800 041 8350 or by using our website below:

What is a beauty claim?

Before we jump into how much compensation you could be owed by the owner of a salon for a beauty claim, let’s talk about beauty claims in general. You would make a beauty claim if you ended up getting hurt in a salon. The salon’s owner and staff owe you a “duty of care.” Therefore, they need to make sure that you keep safe when you enter the salon’s property, undertake the treatment and before you leave. If you do end up getting hurt because of their negligence, this would mean that they are completely liable for the damages. Therefore, they also need to pay for any physical injuries you have suffered from. They may also be liable for any special damages you have suffered from, including:

If you have suffered from an accident in a salon, it’s important that you tell someone as quickly as possible that you have been hurt. The staff of the salon need to be able to assist you and call an ambulance to look over your wounds. One of the staff members may also know CPR. You should also ask for the salon staff or owner to note down your accident in the work accident book. This can be used as evidence to back up your case. If you are well enough to look for evidence, we would highly recommend that you do so. That way you can get your evidence organized before you get started on your beauty claim.

Evidence can include:

Once you have collected your evidence and have been assessed by a doctor, it’s important that you speak to a beauty claim solicitor. That way they can get started on your case. Your solicitor will help you organize your evidence and work with the responsible party on your settlement agreement. The settlement agreement will determine how much compensation you receive. If the responsible party refuses to assist you with your claim, your solicitor may recommend that you need to go to court to get the claim sorted. Just keep in mind that this is very unlikely. Instead, it’s more likely that you will receive your compensation after the settlement agreement.

What sort of beauty treatments count under a beauty claim?

When it comes to beauty claims, it’s important to understand that there are a range of different treatments that you could claim for if they end up going wrong. You went to a salon to be pampered. As you have spent money on the service, you are in a contract with the beauty technician. Therefore, they are responsible for your safety when they are put in control of the treatment. The areas of beauty treatments include:

Hair Cuts
Tanning Salons
Laser Skin Centres
Cosmetic Botox Centres
Cosmetic Dentistry Surgeries
Nail Salons
Spas and Spa Treatments
Body Piercing Centres
Tattoo Centres

It’s important to report the injury if you do suspect that you were hurt due to the negligence of the employees or owners. You didn’t deserve to get hurt. Instead, you need to claim compensation for the damages that you have experienced. The longer you leave your injuries, the more likely it is that your injuries are going to end up getting worse.

How could I get injured in a salon?

If you have decided on a beauty treatment in a salon, the salon owner or the workers in the salon will always do their best to ensure that you are safe through the treatment. Whether you decide on a nail treatment, skin and massage therapy, a treatment at a make-up counter or a minor cosmetic surgery, it is important that your make-up artist or beauty technician talks you fully through the treatment. This includes any potential chemicals in the products or risks that could occur from using certain materials or beauty tools.

Your salon may even have a contract for you to look over that will let you know all of the potential hazards that come from undertaking the treatment. If they fail to do this, and something does end up going wrong, they could held liable for your damages. They should show you the products and you should inform them whether or not you have any allergies.

Some of the most common injuries for beauty claims include:

Depending on the type of treatment you receive, the type of injuries you have may take a long time to develop or they may be instantaneous. If you do end up developing an illness, infection or are worried about your beauty treatment, you need to inform the salon workers about it quickly. They can fix any problems you are worried about. If you don’t feel comfortable about going back to the salon to get the damage repaired, you may want to go to a different beauty salon or hospital to have the treatment removed.

Beauty salons are notorious for either having untrained staff or premises that have not been fully cleaned/sanitized after other treatments. We know that’s the last thing you want to hear during the pandemic. But these sort of environments can encourage germ growth or infections to spread from un-sanitized equipment. If you have a bad feeling about a salon, do not go through with the treatment. Some of the most common accidents come from:

Broken tanning beds
Un-sanitized nail tools
Broken acrylic nails
Strong chemicals
Dirty or wet floors that can cause slips
Aggressive workers
Allergic reactions to dyes, colours, nail polishes or wax
Scars from chemical peels
Lip filler reaction
Internal damage from cosmetic surgeries
Cuts and tissue damage from scissors and sharp objects

If you suffer from any of these types of injuries, you will need medical treatment as quickly as possible. That way the injuries will not get any worse and you will not end up needing additional treatment, such as medication or rehabilitation therapies.

Untrained Beauty Staff: One of the most common causes of injuries

Back in April 2021, the BBC revealed a story that a nurse had gone undercover to observe beauty treatments in the industry. She was shocked to find that the practitioner was botching non-surgical facelifts. Not only was the area of training not sterilized and clean, but she was causing the patients pain and popping blood vessels in the forehead. Together, this could lead to an infection. The students learning from this practitioner only had 5 hours to learn the technique. This means that in the future, there may be beauty practitioners that simply don’t know what they are doing. Overall, this could lead to even more accidents.

Never feel afraid to ask a beauty practitioner for their credentials. You have the right to find out if they are trained and are able to safely perform the treatment on you without causing any damage. You should also take a look online to see if there are any reviews left by other people about your beautician. That way you can make an informed choice about whether you want to work with them or not. By doing research on your beauty staff, you can avoid any accidents that could cause long-lasting injuries.

Beauty Claims and Compensation: How much could I be owed?

It’s important to understand that the amount of compensation that you could be owed will depend on the damages you have experienced. Making a beauty claim is another form of a personal injury claim. That means your solicitor will be taking into account your general damages and special damages. Your general damages will account for any physical injuries that you have experienced. Your special damages will account for any additional damages that have appeared before, during or after the incident. Due to these types of damages, the amount of compensation that you receive will depend on how bad your damages actually are. So, for instance, if you were scarred from a hot wax treatment, you may be owed more compensation than a small infection from a nail implant.

Here are a range of compensation that you could be owed for specific injuries:

The best way to discover how much you could be owed is to speak to your solicitor. They can offer you an estimate that can be used in a future settlement agreement. Your solicitor can calculate any additional damages that need to be added to your total. They will also work with the third-party on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. That way, if you are feeling nervous about asking your salon for compensation, you can have a legal expert do it on your behalf. They can also fill out any tricky paperwork that may be leaving you confused. Feel free to ask them any questions about making a beauty claim. Your solicitor will always be more than happy to help you.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you make a beauty claim

Are you ready to get started on your beauty claim? Gowing Law Solicitors is here to help! We are determined to get you the compensation that you deserve. We can provide you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, we can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top!

Find out how Gowing Law Solicitors can help with a beauty claim by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer any additional questions that you may have.

Find out more about making a Beauty Claim

Are you interested in learning more about beauty claims or different types of legal claims? We would highly recommend that you explore more of Gowing Law’s blog page. We update it every week with brand new content. Here at Gowing Law, we understand that you may want to go into your case with the basics of your claim sorted out in your head. That’s why we would recommend that you take a look at all of our blogs.

We write about a range of topics, including legal claims, seasonal events, creative campaigns and updates about our law firm. Therefore, if you would like to suggest a blog topic to our writers, feel free to send it into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions about your claim in blog form. You can also sign up to our newsletter below to find out more about what our law firm is up to:

You can also learn more about our law firm by following our social media pages. We update our feeds with videos, interactive images and our latest information. Click our LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter buttons below to find out more.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Work Accidents & Lung Cancer Claims: Will I be eligible for Compensation?

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Personal Injury Claims, Uncategorised, Work Place Accidents

Did you know that between 2021-2035, it is predicted that the case numbers of most cancers will rise? According to Cancer Research UK, this includes lung cancer. Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we understand that cancer is a very sensitive topic. It can be a scary time for the cancer patient and their families. We also understand that if the cancer was caused by a work accident or exposure to dangerous substances, this can make you feel angry or extremely frustrated. You did not deserve to suffer from cancer due to your employer’s negligence. Instead, they put you in a dangerous situation and you ended up suffering due to their incompetence. This is why you need to start looking into Lung Cancer Claims and Work Accidents.

Lung Cancer Claims can fall under personal injuries and work accidents. Keep in mind the type of claim that your solicitor suggests for you to undertake will depend on the circumstances surrounding your claim. Everyone’s claim is different. Either way, you will always get the legal support that you need to move forward with your claim. Learn more by calling our law firm on 0800 041 8350 or by using our website below:

What is a Work Accident Claim?

When we think about lung cancer and work accidents, usually this type of legal case would be classified as an “industrial accident”. Cancer UK believes that there is a growing link between cancer and a worker’s interaction with carcinogenic substances. A carcinogenic substance is one that has a mixture of different properties. So, if you are a builder or work with dangerous chemicals, materials or substances, this may put you at risk of developing a condition as you get older.

With that said, let’s take a moment to actually talk a little bit about work accidents in general. A work accident claim is there to protect you if your company, manager or the CEO of your firm has acted negligently, putting you at risk of an injury Therefore, if you do end up suffering from a physical injury, or something that has caused general and special damages, you could be owed thousands in compensation. This compensation can be used to help you afford any medical bills, future rehabilitation therapies, care work, bills or anything else that will assist you in your recovery.

Now, to talk about the obvious, a work accident is pretty much what it says on the tin. You get hurt at work. However, some accidents are going to be more severe than others. A compensation claim can be made if you were not responsible for your injuries. Instead, they happened due to the negligence of your fellow workers or someone with higher authority than you in the workplace.

Negligence and Employers: What do I need to know?

No matter what type of career you have opted for, your manager or employer owe you a duty of care. This means they have a legal responsibility to ensure your safety when you go into work. This includes:

Providing you job training
Explaining safety procedures
Showing you fire escapes and security procedure
Allowing for regular breaks throughout the day
Providing regular activity change
Having a clean work environment
Not asking you to do tasks outside of your skill set

If your manager or employer fail to provide a safe environment and job, it is likely that you will eventually fall victim to a personal injury that was not your own responsibility. If more than one person was hurt due to employer negligence, the company will need to look at all of your cases individually. The amount of compensation that each of you could be potentially owed depends on the extent of the injuries each of you have suffered. Take a look below too see how your employer could act negligently and cause an accident.

Employer negligence includes:

These are only a few examples of the types of negligence that you could experience at work. But they are some of the most common examples. No matter what type of negligence you have experienced, if you are worried about your place of work, report it to HR before it becomes a problem. If the problem has been reported before it becomes dangerous, it is likely that it will be sorted and no one gets hurt. However, if it is ignored even after the report, you could use this to back up your claim that negligence has occurred in your work environment. This could increase the amount of compensation that you are owed from your employer.

What should I do if I suffer from any type of work accidents?

Obviously, work accidents come in many shapes and sizes. If you suffer from lung cancer due to exposure at work, it’s not going to be the same process as when you suffer from an immediate accident. It’s important that your solicitor takes into account both types of accidents. For instance, if you suffered from a long term illness, it’s going to be a different process to what you experience if you break a leg. Your lawyer will still ask you to collect evidence and get checked over by a medical specialist. Let’s start off with what you should do if you are hurt in a public accident at work.

You should:

Alert fellow staff that you have been in an accident
Ask your fellow staff for first aid and to call an ambulance
Collect evidence to prove your case
Speak to your solicitor to find out how you can progress with your case

With that said, if you have suffered from an industrial disease, it may take slower to progress than a broken bone or damaged organ. Take a look at the machinery or area that you work in. You will need to take note of your environment. If you are handling chemicals, have a dangerous environment, have dangerous fumes or machinery to handle, you may end up struggling with a disease. Keep an eye on your symptoms. You should not ignore them. Therefore, if you notice something worrying, go to a doctor immediately. You will need to get a diagnosis from them before you try to make your claim. When you have found out your diagnosis from your doctor or medical facility, you will need to consider how you suffered from the disease in the first place.

Take a look around the office and at the jobs you undertake. You should take note of any dangerous materials, chemicals or machinery that you work with. Your exposure to these could result in a future ailment or illness. Use this as evidence and let your solicitor know. The evidence can be used to back up your case is the following:

Lung Cancer: How can it be a work accident?

Did you know that occupational cancer kills around 200,000 people a year? For lung cancer patients, this can be due to the fact that they are working with dangerous chemicals without proper PPE or are around dangerous fumes.

This can include:

Mineral oils
Diesel and exhaust fumes
Asbestos
Nuclear chemicals
Scientific chemicals

If you are at risk of developing lung cancer in your workplace, your employer needs to take appropriate measures to keep you safe. This includes providing PPE and making sure you are at a safe distance to any dangerous chemicals. If they fail with this, and you develop lung cancer as a result, you could be owed compensation for their negligence. Sometimes lung cancer can appear quickly, other times it can take years to develop. That’s why if you are diagnosed with cancer, and it is due to your employer’s negligence, you could be owed compensation if you make a claim within 3 years of your diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Should you be at risk of lung cancer due to your job, it’s important that you can an eye on your health. That way if you notice that you are having symptoms, you can seek help as quickly as possible. Cancer can get worse pretty quickly. That’s why it’s important that you go to a doctor as soon as you notice that something is wrong.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

A cough that remains after 2-3 weeks
A cough that gets worse
A long chest infection
Coughing blood
Breathlessness
Aches or pains in your chest
Lack of energy/tiredness
Lack of appetitive/weight loss

When you visit your doctor, they will first inspect you through physical examination. They will see if there are any physical signs of lung cancer. If it is believed that you may have early symptoms of this disease, you will be asked to undertake an x-ray or a cat-scan, if your doctor wishes to have a closer inspection. If they do discover a lump, they will ask to do a biopsy. This will be what determines whether or not it is a cancer. They may test any lymph nodes that are in proximity to the lump, as these may contain similar cells. Your doctor will then get in touch with the results and whether or not any follow up treatments will be needed to help with the mass.

The type of treatment you receive will be determined by the width, density, size and stage of the cancer tumour.

Lung Cancer Claim: Special Damages

If you are planning on making a lung cancer claim, it’s important to understand that you can make the claim for more than just your general damages. Your general damages are any physical damages that you have suffered from. You can also suffer from special damages. Special damages account for any additional problems that you have suffered thanks to the injury, or in this case your cancer. If successful, you will be able to receive more compensation due to your damages.

Special damages can include:

It’s important to remember that you will need evidence to back up each of these work accidents claims. For instance, if you suffer from emotional distress because of your cancer, you may need a witness statement or a medical health report from a psychological expert. However, if you suffer from financial damages, you can use receipts to back up your claim that you lost money on your treatment. Your solicitor can help you organize your evidence to prove that you suffered from lung cancer because of your employer. That way you will be entitled to additional compensation and you can put it to good use.

Take a look below to get a rough estimate of how much you could be owed:

How long will it take to make a Lung Cancer Claim?

The amount of time needed to complete your claim will depend on the complexity of your claim. For instance, if your employer refuses to admit that they were at fault for your cancer, it may take longer to make a claim. After all, you will not only have to have a long settlement agreement talk but you may also have to go to court. However, other times, it may be a quick settlement because your employer is willing to pay your compensation. The best way to find out how long it will take to make a claim is to speak to your solicitor. They can give you an estimate of how long it will take and how much you could be owed. Your solicitor can also let you know about any potential delays that could impact your claim. Feel free to ask them any questions that may come to mind!

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Make sure to get support!

It’s important that you seek out the right help if you are going through any type of cancer. Lung cancer can be scary to go through on your own. That’s why we want to raise awareness for lung cancer this month. If you are suffering from cancer, make sure to speak to your doctor or Macmillan for support and advice about how to make your life more comfortable. November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. To find out more about raising awareness for Lung Cancer, please click the link below:

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your Work Accidents Claim

Being faced with any sort of legal claim can make you feel worried, unsettled and concerned about what your future is going to hold. It was not fair that a work accident lead to your diagnosis of lung cancer. That is why it’s essential that you speak to a solicitor from Gowing Law to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

Your compensation can be used to help pay for any debts, bills or comforts during your treatment. You can ask our solicitors for free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your case, Gowing Law’s expert team of solicitors can work with you on a “no win- no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay your solicitor any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top!

Find out how Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your claim by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. Feel free to ask our solicitors any questions you may have. Our specialists would be more than happy to answer anything that is on your mind.

Learn more about Work Accidents

Every week Gowing Law Solicitors updates its blog with brand new content. We write about a range of topics that you may find useful if you are thinking about starting a legal claim. This includes personal injury claims, housing disrepair claims and much, much more. We also write about seasonal events, updates about Gowing Law Solicitors and our latest competitions/giveaways. If you would like to suggest a blog topic for our blog, feel free to send it into Gowing Law’s email: info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about your questions. Therefore, you should consider also signing up to our newsletter below:

Ultimately, you should also keep an eye on our social media ages. We update them regularly with our blog links, video content and giveaway information. Our LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook can be found through the buttons below. Please follow us and let us know if you would like us to create any informative videos about your claims questions. We would be happy to assist.

Gowing Law looks forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Collapsed Ceilings and Housing Disrepair Claims

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

Collapsed ceilings are a serious hazard for any resident of a council house or housing association. Not only can they cause serious personal injuries, but they can damage the overall structure of your property in general.

To have your ceiling collapse in your home implies a serious amount of negligence on behalf of your landlord. They may have failed to notice the weakening structure over the last few years, or perhaps they even just decided to ignore it. Either way, if you notice that there are cracks or a visual droop in the ceiling’s plaster, you need to notify your landlord as quickly as possible to have it fixed. If they fail to do this then the problem could become much worse. The last thing you want to deal with over winter or during the pandemic is a collapsed ceiling. That’s why it’s important that you start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims. A solicitor from Gowing Law can help you do that.

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are determined to help you with your Housing Disrepair Claims. No matter what type of damages you have experienced due to your landlord’s negligence, our team of specialists will be there to support you throughout your case. You can contact us at any time to begin your claim. Feel free to call 0800 041 8350 when you are ready to get started. You can also visit our website to find out more information about how we can help:

Housing Disrepair Claims: What are they?

Housing disrepair claims are there to protect you when your home is damaged by forces that are outside of your control. This includes landlord negligence, time, age, natural disaster and influence from neighbouring properties. Your landlord is responsible for the repairs of your home. This includes paying any fees that are required for replacements or repair work to ensue. If they fail to do this and act negligently, you could be owed compensation as well as your repairs sorted out. Your landlord is responsible for the following areas of your house:

As you can see, your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the majority of your home, including your garden, attic, balconies and any essential equipment. Although you do need to keep your home in good condition, including clean and tidy, your landlord needs to ensure that any damages that you did not cause are taken care of as quickly as possible. Make sure to contact them through phone or email, as well as written correspondence. If you send a letter then you will be able to use it as evidence that you did your best to inform your landlord about the disrepair. Here is the process you should follow if you end up having a housing disrepair:

Landlord Negligence

Your landlord needs to get the disrepair sorted as quickly as possible. That way they won’t end up getting worse. A collapsed ceiling can go from bad to worse extremely quickly, that’s why it’s important that they get the right team in to fix the problem at hand. If they fail to do this then this is an act of negligence. Should your landlord act negligently, you could be owed compensation if you end up getting hurt due to a collapsed ceiling. Some of the most common types of landlord negligence include:

Housing Disrepair Claims & Compensation

The amount of compensation that you receive will depend on the extent of the negligence you have endured. It will also depend on the amount of time that the disrepair has been left for. Take for instance, only a small crack has appeared in your ceiling. Although it may signify a larger problem at hand, the repairs needed to ensure it does not collapse will be less than fixing a fully collapsed ceiling. If you have been hurt due to the collapsed ceiling, you can also make a claim based on the personal injuries you have experienced. Keep this in mind when you speak to your solicitor about your claim. They will be there to help you during your time of need.

What causes collapsed ceilings?

The ceiling in your home may have collapsed due to a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it may just be the age of your home, other times it may be due to a weakening of the surrounding structures. Cracks can form due poor craftsmanship, especially if the insulation is old or potentially falling apart. There may be something heavy beneath the ceiling surface that may be putting extra pressure on the structure. If the ceiling is already weak, it is likely that the structure will not be able to hold for much longer. That’s why it’s crucial that if you notice something wrong that you alert your landlord as quickly as possible. You may notice that:

There is a creaking sound coming from the ceiling.
You hear a cracking noise coming from the ceiling.
You see a droop appear in your ceiling in the plasterboard or through the cornice
A large crack occurs through the plaster of the ceiling
You see nails or screws pulling away from the plasterboard sheeting

If your ceiling does end up drooping or falling down, there is a chance that the dust could cause a breathing issue due to the tiny particles of the ceiling. Worse still if your home has asbestos in the walls, this could cause irreparable lung damage and could eventually potentially cause cancer if it is fully breathed in. These type of damages will not help you if you already suffer from asthma or a breathing disorder. In fact, you may find that your disorders end up getting worse and that you need to get medical treatment to try and help you feel better.

Collapsed Ceilings and Personal Injuries

Collapsed ceilings can cause serious injuries if more than just a small portion of it falls down. Recently, there was a case in a Weatherspoons where 6 people were left covered in plaster because the ceiling of the establishment fell on them. Unfortunately, in some cases, a large amount of ceiling falling on people can cause a wide range of damages. If the piece is large enough, it could cause a fatality, however in most cases, these are the type of injuries that you could suffer from:

Cuts and bruises
Broken bones
Loss of eyesight
Damaged spine
Damaged nerves
Head trauma
Breathing difficulties

If you have been hurt due to a ceiling collapsing, it’s important that you get help as quickly as you can. Even if your injuries do not seem severe, you need to get a doctor to look you over. That way they can determine whether or not you will need medical assistance, rehabilitation assistance or medication. You should also ask for a medical report to act as evidence that you were hurt due to your housing disrepairs. This could help you claim a higher amount of compensation when you start your case.

Water Damage and Ceiling Damages

Another reason why you could be eligible for compensation is through water damage. Sometimes if your ceiling is exposed to the elements or a heavy amount of flooding, it could become cracked, sag or experience moulding and damp issues. You may end up seeing tiny specks of black and brown appear on your ceiling. There may even be some damp that makes the room feel moist and unpleasant to be in. Water damage can even occur from broken pipes, boilers and tanks and can do more than damage your ceiling. It can damage your wall structures, wall paper and even leave marks on your flooring.

Make sure to keep an eye on any holes that appear in the ceiling that allow leaks to fall through into the room. If they are left unfixed, you will find that you are unable to live in the room or feel comfortable incorporating it into your daily schedule. This can cause a lot of problems, especially if the room has essential equipment in it, such as your bathroom, kitchen or bathroom.

How could I be eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

The best way to determine whether or not you are eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim is to see whether or not you were hurt or experienced damages due to the housing disrepair. So it did not just damage the house but it caused your personal damages. You suffered due to the disrepairs in your home. That’s why you could be owed compensation because of the negligence of your landlord.

Your claim will most likely fall into at least one of these three categories:

As you can see, it is likely that your claim will fall into more than one of these categories. Let’s take for instance that your ceiling has collapsed. If it fell on you then it is likely that you experienced personal injuries, such as broken bones, bleeding or bruising and needed hospital appointments to feel like yourself again. The dust damaged your clothes and furniture. Therefore, you could no longer use them. As the hole was so big, you may have found that it was impossible to use the room as it was dusty, dirty and covered in debris. If this was your living room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, then you may experience inconvenience. The more damages you have, the more likely it is that you will receive a higher amount of compensation. You could be owed anything up to £20,000 in damages!

What should I do if I am going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim for collapsed ceilings?

After you have sought out medical treatment for any damages you have experienced, it is time for you to get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim. We understand that you may be going through an extremely difficult time, especially if you have to go through medical rehabilitation for your injuries. Your solicitor will go through your claim with you and make sure you understand what sort of damages could make you eligible for compensation. This includes any special damages, like emotional damages, financial damages and loss of opportunity. Your solicitor will then focus on helping you claim compensation for your losses. They will hire a triage assessor to look into, assess and fix the damages. Take a look at the claim’s process below:

Keep in mind that every housing disrepair claim is different, therefore some may take longer than others. Be patient with your solicitor. They will always do their best to ensure that you get the help you need. However, a complex case will mean that it will take longer. Feel free to ask them any questions that come to mind. Your lawyer will always be there to assist you.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your Housing Disrepair Claim & Collapsed Ceilings

Collapsed ceilings are serious issues in council homes and properties from the housing association. They can cause injuries and make any breathing issues far worse. Your landlord needs to sort this as quickly as possible. If they fail to do this then it’s time to get started on your housing disrepair claim with Gowing Law Solicitors. We can offer you free advice and consultations about your claim. If you are happy to move forward, our lawyers can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top.

Find out more about Housing Disrepair Claims today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer any additional questions that you may have.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims & Collapsed Ceilings

Don’t forget that every week Gowing Law updates its blog with brand new content about different types of legal claims. We have a range of blogs about housing disrepair claims. So, make sure to keep checking back to see what we have been writing about. We also write about seasonal events, competitions/giveaways, updates about Gowing Law Solicitors and our latest campaigns. If you want to suggest a blog topic, feel free to send it into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about your suggestions! Make sure to also sign up to our newsletter. That way you can get the latest information about what we have been up to:

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We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Central Heating and Housing Disrepair Claims

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

As winter approaches, the UK is going to keep getting colder. The colder it gets, the more likely it is that housing disrepairs appear. In turn, this is when we will mostly see housing disrepair claims. We have just passed through Halloween, so it’s very likely that it’s getting extremely dark and also very wet. The colder the weather gets, the more likely it is that you are going to be using your central heating system more.

Of course, with the current climate talks, you may have decided that you are going to try and use your heating less. However, if you are going to put your central heating on, you may find that you use it on a higher setting to heat your house. It can be extremely frustrating to find that your heating does not work when you need it the most. It may get so bad that you find that you and your family stay in one room in order to conserve heat. This is when you need to start thinking about Housing Disrepair Claims.

You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. If your central heating system is not working, your landlord is responsible for its repair. Should they fail to help you, you should think about making a Housing Disrepair Claim. That way you can get the compensation and repairs that you need to live comfortably in your home. Gowing Law Solicitors can help start your housing disrepair claim. All you need to do is call our team of specialists today on 0800 041 8350 or visit our website below:

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims

Before we talk about central heating disrepairs, let’s take a moment to consider Housing Disrepair Claims in general. Housing Disrepair Claims are there to protect you if your home is suffering from severe damages that your landlord is refusing to have fixed. In some cases, these may seem like small damages, but due to the fact they have been left, they have grown larger and are now causing problems. No matter what type of disrepairs you have, if they are not being sorted out in a timely manner, as in within a month, you have the right to start a case against your landlord.

If you live in a council house or a property from the housing association, it is likely that you will experience some form of disrepair during your stay. This is due to the fact that many of these buildings will have been created during the 1960s or 1980s. That means that the time passed will mean that natural disrepairs take place in the external and internal structure of the property. There may also be asbestos issues.

Your landlord will be responsible for the following damages in your home:

As you can see, there is a range of different equipment and structures inside and outside of your home that could break down due to time or the negligence of your landlord. They are responsible for any furniture inside your home that was already there, as well as any gardens, balconies and attics. If they end up breaking then it is your landlord’s responsibility to get them fixed. As soon as you notice a disrepair, makes sure to follow this process:

You should give your landlord a month to get the repairs sorted. This is known as giving “notice.” However, if they fail to act within the month then you should be thinking about making a housing disrepair claim. After all, your landlord may be acting negligently and may inadvertently be making the damages much worse. If this happens, you should get in touch with your solicitor as quickly as possible. The faster you start your claim, the less likely it is that the damages will grow worse.

How could my landlord be guilty of negligence?

Do you feel as if your landlord has ignored your requests for help? If you do, it’s likely that you are experiencing the extent of your landlord’s negligence. Now, your landlord needs to ensure that your property is kept habitable. They follow a health and safety code of conduct that is there to protect you and any additional family members that are in the property. Although you do need to give them time to actually look into the disrepair and decide on the best course of action, if they fail to do anything, you may find that the negligence becomes worse, you suffer from a personal injury due to it, or you or your family members become ill.

There are many different types of landlord negligence that you can experience. This includes:

Your landlord’s negligence could end up damaging your property further. After all, the longer you leave your damages for, the more likely it is that the damages will end up getting worse. Even if your landlord is ignoring every message that you send to them, your solicitor can help you regain control over the situation. By making a housing disrepair claim, your lawyer can speak to your landlord on your behalf. We understand that you may feel nervous about speaking to your landlord about the damages, especially if your landlord acts aggressively or makes you fear for your safety. That’s why your solicitor can speak to your landlord on your behalf. They can discuss the issues at hand with your landlord and let you know what you can expect with your claim.

How could my central heating be an issue?

Your central heating is going to be the heart of your home. Whether it’s a boiler in a closet or it is a number of radiators around your home, or even heated flooring, when it breaks it’s going to cause issues within your home. During the winter months, you may find that your house is extremely cold. You may also be unable to heat up your water. This can make your daily life extremely uncomfortable, especially if you need to get cleaned up in your home. You may find that you cannot bathe due to the cold. Instead, you may be forced to get cleaned up in a different house or even your local gym.

It’s understandable that you may be upset that your central heating does not work. Your heating makes your home habitable. Therefore, to have it break means that it is very likely that your life will be thrown out of whack.

Your heating could break from:

Faulty wiring
Electrical surges
Broken pipes
Overheating
Blockages
Leaking radiators
Old age

If you do notice that your heating is not working, make sure to stock up on blankets and hot water bottles. That way you can keep warm. You should also wear lots of warm clothes, including gloves, jumpers, coats and hats. Your house is going to get cold very, very quickly. Therefore, if you need to keep warm then you should wear as many layers as possible. If you plan on having a bath or shower, make sure to fill up your kettle with hot water. That way if the hot water doesn’t work in your taps, you can try and get a quick wash with the heated water in your kettle. Just make sure to keep the water warm with top ups frequently. It may take a long time to get to the point where you are able to fill your tub.

What are my rights to central heating in my council property?

In regards to the rights of your council house, you could be owed compensation due to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. According to this act, your landlord needs to make sure your supply of gas, electricity and water is well-maintained. There also needs to be installations in your home for heating up water and for heating up the house space itself. If the heating systems do end up breaking down, your landlord is legally obliged to not leave you without heating for any longer than 24 hours. Should your home does not have heat after this time, your landlord may have to find you temporary accommodation or heating equipment until the problem has been sorted out. Ultimately, if they fail to do this, they could put your health and quality of life at risk. This is when you need to start thinking about housing disrepair claims.

The Responsibilities of the Tenant

It’s important that you understand that you do have to keep the house in a good shape. This includes keeping it clean, tidy and free from trash/rubbish. In order to make a housing disrepair claim for central heating, you need to be not responsible for the damages in the first place. In other words, if you break your central heating, you will be responsible for having it fixed or replaced.

You need to be the person that reports the damages to your landlord. Make sure to keep an eye out for any problems or noises that occur with your radiator or boiler. This includes:

Unheated water
Strange hissing noises from the boiler or radiator
Leaks and drips
Hot spurts of water followed by cold water

Report any disrepairs to your landlord as quickly as possible. That way they won’t potentially get any worse and cause further damage to your property. Your landlord will then have a responsibility to get the disrepairs fixed if you were not at fault for them.

How could I get hurt from a lack of central heating in my house?

As central heating is one of the main components of your home, you may find that you struggle to actually stay in your house comfortably without getting cold. As we are near winter, you may find that your house is extremely chilly or draughty if you are experiencing additional damages. If it remains cold, this could lead to illness, such as colds and flu, or even mould and damp inside your home. Damp and mould can cause serious health issues and may also destroy your property and belongings.

The cold can have a terrible effect on the elderly or young children. If you are living in a council house with your family, you may find that they get ill more often. This can lead to a ton of worries about their health and may make them more susceptible to nastier illnesses. You may even feel scared that the cold conditions may make illnesses, like Covid-19, much worse if you are forced to isolate within your home.

Your landlord needs to be held responsible for any damages that happen with your central heating. Don’t let them carry on. Instead, speak to a solicitor to find out how they can help you get the compensation that you deserve. After all, you could be owed around £20,000 for your claim!

How much could I be owed for central heating housing disrepair claims?

If you are wondering how much you could be owed for your case, keep in mind that the amount you get depends on the complexity of your claim. Some people may be owed more than others due to the amount of damages they have been through. It all depends on the extent of your landlord’s negligence. This will also include how long the damages have been left for. It will also be determined by whether or not you have experienced personal injuries due to the disrepairs. The worse your disrepairs and personal damages are, the more likely it is that you’re going to receive a higher amount of compensation than someone who only have experienced smaller damages.

Although the best way to find out how much you could be owed for central heating disrepairs is through your solicitor, here are some estimates that may help you before you do that:

Please keep in mind that these are just estimates. The circumstances behind your case will determine how much compensation you are owed. You should speak to your solicitor about your settlement agreement. They can give you a rough estimate and how long it may take to get your claim sorted out.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with Housing Disrepair Claims

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are determined to help our clients with their housing disrepair claims. Central heating problems can cause serious damages and may even lead to illness, depending on how cold your home is. Don’t leave your disrepairs unattended to. Your solicitor can help your landlord take your claim seriously. Your solicitor can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, our specialists can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top and will never have to pay any hidden fees. You will only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you!

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today to find out more about how we can help with Housing Disrepair Claims. Call us on 0800 041 8350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or use our claims checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer any additional questions that you may have.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

Don’t forget that if you want to learn more about housing disrepair claims or damaged central heating, Gowing Law’s blog page is the perfect place to be. We update it every week with brand new content about our law firm and the latest UK law updates. We also write about seasonal events and our latest competitions/giveaways. Our law firm always has a new campaign or blog that is ready to inform and entertain. You can even suggest blog topics to us by writing into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Make sure to also sign up to our newsletter to see our latest information about different types of claims and how our law firm can help:

If you are feeling curious about our latest competitions/giveaways, keep an eye on Gowing Law’s social media. You can see our latest videos, blogs and additional updates. Click on the buttons at the bottom of this blog to visit our law firm’s Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Neighbouring Properties: Can I make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

When we normally think about making a Housing Disrepair Claim, we are naturally thinking about what has happened to our own properties. However, in some cases, we may be thinking about any neighbouring properties that could be having an impact on our homes. This can be a complicated issue. After all, you don’t want to cause any conflict between you, your landlord and your neighbours. But in some cases, it may be necessary to get in contact to make sure your council home or property from the housing association remains standing or in one piece.

Winter is coming, so if your neighbouring property is causing disrepairs in your own home, you need to alert your landlord and your neighbours as quickly as possible. Your house needs to comply with UK health and safety standards. Therefore, if it does pose a problem due to your neighbours and their residence, your landlord will need to get it sorted.

Here at Gowing Law, we understand that it can be frustrating to suffer from a housing disrepair due to your neighbouring properties. You may feel out of control or like no one is listening to your concerns. But our legal team will. Our Housing Disrepair Claim specialists are here to help. You can contact them now by calling 0800 041 8350 or visit our website below to get started:

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims: What do I need to know?

Before we jump into how neighbouring properties could be damaging in your home, let’s talk about the basics of housing disrepair claims. If you are thinking of making one yourself, it’s crucial that you understand what you are getting yourself into. Your solicitor will handle the paperwork and difficult details of your case. But it’s important that you understand whether or not you’re eligible for compensation.

Now, the first thing you need to know about housing disrepair claims is that they are there to protect you when your house has started to experience problems, disrepairs or general damages. In order to make a successful claim, you need to prove that the disrepairs were not your fault. Instead, your landlord, or even neighbours, were liable for any damages that you have experienced. You did not cause the damages, but you were still forced to experience the after-effects of the issues at hand. That means you could be owed compensation, as well as the repairs sorted in your accommodation.

With that said, your landlord is responsible for the majority of your council house or property from the housing association. This includes the following inside and outside of your house:

Landlord Negligence

As you can see, your landlord is responsible for a wide range of problems that could occur inside your house. Now, a lot of properties that are council homes or properties from the housing district are quite old and may naturally be in need of repair. In most cases, your landlord will focus on getting the disrepairs sorted out. You will contact them about your damages, in both writing and through electronic correspondence, and they will need notice to go to your house and check over your damages. They will then decide whether or not they need to hire a repair-worker to get the damages sorted out. If they fail to act, or leave you with a disrepair, then this could be seen as an act of negligence. This is when you need to get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim.

Take a look at the infographic below to understand how landlord negligence occurs:

Neighbouring Properties: Can I make a housing disrepair claim against my neighbour?

Ultimately, it is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that your property is in a habitable state for you and your family to live safely in. Most of the time, your disrepairs are going to be caused by time and dangerous structures. However, there may be times that the disrepairs occur due to any neighbouring properties or the neighbours themselves. If this happens, your landlord will still be responsible for any damages that occur. However, your neighbour may be guilty of criminal damages, depending on what role they played in relation to the disrepairs. For instance, if they vandalized your property, you can go to CIRCA to press charges and claim compensation.

But, if their property’s structure has damaged yours, then you will have to tell them that you are asking your landlord to help with the damages. You should also recommend that they should speak to their own landlord if they live in a council home or property from the housing association.

Speak to your solicitor if you are feeling unsure about whether or not your neighbour is liable for the damages that your home has experienced. Some cases will be more complicated than others. Therefore, it is good to have a legal expert look over your case before you get started. That way, you will be able to figure out who actually owes you compensation for your damages.

How could neighbouring properties damage my house?

Your neighbours could be responsible for the damages in your home either through dangerous structures or through anti-social behaviour. Let’s start off by talking about dangerous structures. If your house was damaged by neighbouring properties, it is most likely that the structure of the other home was falling apart. Some example of unreliable structure damage can include:

Cracked bricks or walls being dislodged from the property
Broken roof tiles falling off
Under flooring structures breaking
Chimney collapse
Falling balconies
Faulty wiring or electrics

Of course, these are only a few ways that you could experience a disrepair due to the maintenance of neighbouring properties. Before a disrepair occurs, make sure to keep an eye on the exterior of your neighbour’s home. If you notice something looks amiss then you should mention it to your neighbour. After all, you could help them avoid any extreme damage. For instance, if there are faulty electrics on the exterior of your neighbour’s home, this could end up leading to a fire that could damage both of your properties. It could also lead to you experiencing a personal injury because of the fire.

Be polite about the damage and offer assistance if need be. It may be that they are unsure about how to move forward with a claim of their own. If you are both in council estates, you may want to politely suggest that they start their own housing disrepair claim.

Here is what you should do if your home is damaged due to the disrepairs on a neighbour’s home:

Neighbouring Properties & Anti-Social Behaviour

Another thing you may be wondering about is in relation to anti-social behaviour. Not all criminal acts happen to people. Instead, you may experience your home being vandalized or partially destroyed due to your neighbour’s behaviour. They may act violently, throw things at your home or try to break in and destroy your property. If you experience this for yourself, you may feel too frightened to act. You may even be forced to call the police. Unfortunately, you cannot make a housing disrepair claim if your neighbour is just being loud or a little disorderly. Housing disrepair claims are there to protect your property from physical damages. If no harm has come to your house, you should not make a claim. Instead, speak to the police and see if you can get a restraining order or have a warning given to them.

However, if your house is damaged due to vandalism, graffiti or violence, that is when you need to start considering two types of claims. The first is your housing disrepair claim, as you will need the damages sorted as quickly as possible. In some cases, the neighbour’s insurance will be used to pay for the damages, however you should always alert your landlord about what has happened. They can assist with finding the right repair-workers. It may even be that they ask for the neighbour’s compensation to have the work completed. You can also start looking to CIRCA to take the criminal claim to court. That way you can receive a pay-out that can be used to finance any needed repairs.

Will my neighbour have to pay for the damages to my home?

This depends on the type of case you are planning on making against your neighbour. If you believe that the negligence was caused by them, or they did it purposefully to damage your home, it is very likely that they will be either paying you compensation from their insurer or potentially out of their own pocket. If they don’t tell their insurer, or refuse to pay you for the damages, you can raise the issues with their insurers themselves. That way the damages will be settled either through the insurer or through them. Your solicitor can help you if you are worried that this will cause friction or problems between you and your neighbour.

How could I be eligible for compensation?

If you are thinking about making a housing disrepair claim in relation to neighbouring properties, you may be wondering about how you could be eligible for compensation. It’s one thing getting the repairs sorted in your house, but you may also be owed a pay-out for any damages that you have experienced. To be eligible for a housing disrepair claim, you need to prove that any personal injuries or damages in your home are not due to your own negligence. They were due to the age of your home or the negligence of your landlord. These types of damages tend to fall into three categories. Take a look below to see what these categories are:

Of course, you may end up falling into more than one of these categories. Let’s say that your house suffers from a serious hole in the roof. The hole let water in and caused water damage to your belongings. Due to the damp, it caused mould to grow in the room and you found you did not want to use it at all. This caused inconvenience. Eventually, due to the puddles on the floor, you ended up slipping over and injuring your spine. This is an example of a personal injury.

It’s important that you let your solicitor know as quickly as possible about all of the damages that you have experienced due to the negligence of your landlord. The more damages you have experienced, the more likely it is that you will receive a higher amount of compensation. Some claimants could even be owed up to £20,000! Speak to your solicitor so you can get an estimate of how much money you could be owed today. You may also get more if you have experienced the following damages:

Neighbouring Properties: How do I make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Now that you have decided to make a housing disrepair claim, it’s time that you understand how the claim’s process works. It’s understandable that you may feel nervous, especially if you need to speak to neighbouring properties about the issues at hand, but our solicitors will be there to assist you. The first thing you need to do is speak to your solicitor about your disrepair. Provide them as much detail as possible about the problems, as well as information about how much notice you provided your landlord and how long the disrepair has been going on for. The extent of the disrepair and the damages it has caused will affect how much you could be owed for compensation.

Once you have spoken to your solicitor about your claim, they will focus on the compensation side of it. They will send over a triage assessor to look into the repair side of the claim. Take a look at the process below to see what you can expect during your case:

The amount of time needed to complete your housing disrepair claim will depend on the complexity of your claim. Just keep in mind that due to the pandemic and backlog of UK court cases, it is likely that there may be delays with your case. Be patient with your solicitor. They will always do their best to keep you updated about what is happening with your case. If there are any problems or updates, you will be the first person that they tell.

You will have until you leave your council house or property from the housing association to make your claim. So make sure to get in contact with Gowing Law as quickly as possible. We are ready to help you get started on your case.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with Housing Disrepair Claims about Neighbouring Properties

Are you ready to get started on your housing disrepair claim? Neighbouring properties, or your neighbours in general, could potentially cause damages beyond your control. That’s why it’s crucial that you get assistance from our law firm as quickly as possible. The longer you leave your claim, the more likely it is that your damages will simply end up getting worse. That’s why our legal team is here to help you get started. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, we can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top. You will never need to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case for you!

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer any additional questions you may have.

Learn more about Neighbouring Properties and Housing Disrepair Claims

Don’t forget that you can learn more about housing disrepair claims in on Gowing Law’s blog page. We update it every week with brand new facts and content for you to enjoy. This includes blogs about UK law, seasonal events, competitions and giveaways. You can even find updates about our latest campaigns and events. We’ve even created content about historical events and our brand ambassador, Michael Owen! If you would like to see a certain topic on our blog, send it into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. You can also sign up to our newsletter below:

Not only do we send out a newsletter every week, we also update our social media on a regular basis with our latest content and videos. So, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to see what we have been up to recently.

We look forward to see you in our next blog!

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What do I need to know about Housing Disrepairs?

Housing Disrepairs: Landlord Negligence

You could be eligible for compensation if your claim falls into one of three categories:

Housing Disrepairs and Winter Weather

Central Heating and Housing Disrepair Claims

Housing Disrepair Claims: Holes in your home

Housing Disrepair Claims: Mould and Damp

Housing Disrepair Claims: Vermin and Pests

What should I do if I have a housing disrepair claim to be made?

Learn more about making a Housing Disrepair Claim

Find out about Housing Disrepair Claims

What is a beauty claim?

Evidence can include:

What sort of beauty treatments count under a beauty claim?

How could I get injured in a salon?

Some of the most common injuries for beauty claims include:

Untrained Beauty Staff: One of the most common causes of injuries

Beauty Claims and Compensation: How much could I be owed?

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you make a beauty claim

Find out more about making a Beauty Claim

What is a Work Accident Claim?

Negligence and Employers: What do I need to know?

Employer negligence includes:

What should I do if I suffer from any type of work accidents?

You should:

Lung Cancer: How can it be a work accident?

This can include:

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

Lung Cancer Claim: Special Damages

How long will it take to make a Lung Cancer Claim?

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Make sure to get support!

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your Work Accidents Claim

Learn more about Work Accidents

Housing Disrepair Claims: What are they?

Landlord Negligence

Housing Disrepair Claims & Compensation

What causes collapsed ceilings?

Collapsed Ceilings and Personal Injuries

Water Damage and Ceiling Damages

How could I be eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

What should I do if I am going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim for collapsed ceilings?

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your Housing Disrepair Claim & Collapsed Ceilings

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims & Collapsed Ceilings

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims

Your landlord will be responsible for the following damages in your home:

How could my landlord be guilty of negligence?

How could my central heating be an issue?

Your heating could break from:

What are my rights to central heating in my council property?

The Responsibilities of the Tenant

How could I get hurt from a lack of central heating in my house?

How much could I be owed for central heating housing disrepair claims?

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with Housing Disrepair Claims

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims: What do I need to know?

Landlord Negligence

Neighbouring Properties: Can I make a housing disrepair claim against my neighbour?

How could neighbouring properties damage my house?

Neighbouring Properties & Anti-Social Behaviour

Will my neighbour have to pay for the damages to my home?

How could I be eligible for compensation?

Neighbouring Properties: How do I make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Gowing Law Solicitors can help with Housing Disrepair Claims about Neighbouring Properties

Learn more about Neighbouring Properties and Housing Disrepair Claims

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