Both firefighters and members of the public can be affected by the negligence of a fire service, which can lead to them lodging a claim and receiving compensation from the service.
Figures obtained by No Win No Fee Solicitors Co found that, since 2020, fire and rescue services across the UK have had to pay out over £6m to successful public and employee claims against the service.
Firefighters face numerous dangers on a daily basis, including fighting fires, working at heights, and handling hazardous chemicals.
Due to these dangers, fire services must offer comprehensive firefighter training to their employees to minimise the risks that they may encounter during their careers.
If a firefighter is injured at work and believes their employer’s negligence was to blame, they may be eligible to make a firefighter injury claim for compensation.
Potential injuries that a firefighter may suffer at work include burn injuries, crush injuries, smoke inhalation, fall-from-height injuries, work-related stress, road traffic accidents and firefighter training injuries.
Although they are equipped with industry-standard protective equipment, this often has its limits against the intense heat of a burning building.
If something goes wrong during a firefighting operation, the burn injuries can be severe and even life-threatening.
In 2020, 539 claims were made against the services, the lowest number of claims over the past five years.
A year later, this number increased to 1,552 claims.
The services have experienced a drop in claims over the past year compared to 2022/23, with a total of 785.
Firefighters aren’t the only ones who can claim compensation against fire services; members of the public can also lodge claims if they believe a service has been negligent.
These public liability claims can arise for several reasons, with the most common being property damage caused by fire services or road traffic accidents in which a fire engine was at fault.
Solicitor for JF Law, Lucy Parker, said: “Submitting a claim against the fire service when there is a perceived fault can lead to positive change in procedures and training, helping to prevent the same mistakes from occurring again.
“It is not just about your individual case, but about the safety of the community as a whole.”
No Win No Fee Solicitors Co also obtained figures on how much UK fire and rescue services have paid out in compensation to public and employer liability claims since 2020.
The services have paid out a total of £6,467,256 to successful claims over the past five years, with the highest amount coming in 2023 at £2,028,376.
Fire services, as employers, have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their employees, including firefighters, and must take reasonable steps to prevent harm to them.
While they are rare, employer liability claims are one reason an individual may seek compensation for a service.
Based on figures gathered from services around the country, the services that have paid the most compensation to claims since 2020 have been revealed.
Humberside Fire and Rescue paid the most, £753,531, while Cheshire and Essex County services also paid over £500,000.
Speaking to No Win No Fee Solicitors Co, Lucy Parker said: “Whether you’re an employee claiming for workplace injuries or a member of the public claiming for property damage against a fire service, the specific legal grounds and procedural requirements will differ.
“If you feel that a fire service is at fault, then you should seek legal advice to see whether you have any grounds to submit a claim.”
No Win No Fee Solicitors Co offers an expert claims and legal advice service on accidents at work and public liability claims. If you’ve suffered an injury at work while working for the fire service or have been injured as a member of the public, they can help.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and an online claim form, which can be accessed on their website.
Some fire services did not provide compensation data, while services in Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Scotland, South Wales and West Midlands did not respond to No Win No Fee Solicitors Co’s Freedom of Information request.
For more information please visit: https://www.nowinnofeesolicitorsco.co.uk/
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