A product can fail without warning, turning something you relied on into the source of a painful injury, and when that happens, it’s natural to feel unsure about whether you can claim or how the process works. That uncertainty often includes wondering how much compensation for defective product claims may be available in circumstances like yours. Our panel of solicitors are highly experienced in valuing these complex claims and can help you understand what may be included, from the injury itself to the financial losses it has caused.
Whether you were harmed by a poorly wired electrical appliance or a faulty vehicle component, you may have grounds to claim compensation if the product failed to meet a safety standard that people were reasonably entitled to expect. At How Much Compensation, the solicitors on our panel understand the detailed investigation these cases require. They can examine how the product became unsafe before bringing the medical and financial evidence together, helping to properly value your claim and provide clear direction from the outset.
When you are still recovering from the lasting effects of physical or psychological harm caused by a product you trusted, having expert legal support means you do not have to navigate the claims process. Our panel take on all product liability claims on a No Win No Fee basis, and will tailor their support to your unique circumstances. Contact our advisors today to talk through what happened and find out how the solicitors on our panel could help you move forward:
- Call on 0800 408 7826
- Contact us online
- Speak using our live chat
We are here to help you
Here at HowMuchCompensation.co.uk our expert advisors are on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assess your compensation claim. Should you require free advice we can connect you to a specialist solicitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Types Of Defective Product Claims
- How Are Defective Product Liability Claims Valued?
- How Much Compensation Could I Receive For An Injury Caused By A Defective Product?
- Types Of Defective Products
- Examples Of Defective Product Liability Claims
- Making A Defective Product Liability Compensation Claim
- Why Claim With The Solicitors On Our Panel Of Experts?
- Learn More
Types Of Defective Product Claims
Defective product claims can be made for the faulty item itself and the harm caused when an unsafe product fails. The legal route you take will depend on whether you are seeking compensation for a faulty product that did not meet the required standard or for the harm caused by the defect.
In the UK, 2 laws are particularly relevant to these types of claims:
- Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, a product is defective if it is not as safe as people could reasonably expect. Because the legislation establishes strict liability, you do not need to show that the business responsible acted negligently. You only need to establish that the product was defective and that the defect directly caused your injury.
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires goods supplied by a trader to be of satisfactory quality. They must also be fit for purpose and match their description.
Claiming For The Defective Product
If a product is faulty but has not caused injury, you can seek compensation for the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing belongings that it damaged under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. The total damage must be more than £275, which may apply where a faulty item damages furniture in your home or ruins clothing that needs replacing.
Claims For Injuries Caused By A Defective Or Faulty Product
You may be able to claim compensation if a defective or faulty product caused your injury. When looking at your case, our panel of solicitors will focus on:
- How the product became unsafe: They may look at whether the problem arose from how the product was designed or made. Missing warnings or unclear instructions can also affect whether it provided the level of safety people were entitled to expect.
- How the defect caused the incident: They will consider whether you were using the item normally or in a way the producer could reasonably have anticipated at the time of the incident.
- What injury resulted from the defect: Your solicitor will assess available medical evidence to establish what injury was sustained and whether the faulty item directly caused it.
If you’re unsure whether you have grounds to claim or who may be responsible, our advisors can explain your options and may be able to connect you with a specialist solicitor from our panel.
How Are Defective Product Liability Claims Valued?
Defective product liability claims are valued by considering the harm the defective item caused and the financial impact it has had. Compensation for damaged belongings may reflect the reasonable cost of repair or replacement. If the defective product injured you, the valuation can also account for the injury itself and the money you have lost or needed to spend because of it.
| Scenario | How The Claim Is Valued |
|---|---|
| Faulty product only | Considers the cost of the defective product itself together with any direct financial losses caused by the fault. |
| Faulty product damages property | May include the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, together with any other financial losses directly linked to the incident. |
| Faulty product causes injury | Compensation can account for the harm itself, as well as financial losses. |
While you are recovering or dealing with damaged belongings, it may be difficult to know what could form part of your claim. Our advisors are here to help, so please reach out to learn more about the factors that may affect how much compensation for defective product claims could be awarded in successful cases.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive For An Injury Caused By A Defective Product?
The amount of compensation you could receive for an injury caused by a defective product will depend on how serious the injury is and how it has affected your life. A specialist solicitor from our panel will assess both the immediate and longer-term impact of your injuries to inform how they assess the following heads of claim:
- General damages: These compensate you for your pain and suffering, as well as the broader effect on your everyday life. For instance, a burn injury from a faulty appliance may continue to cause pain or leave scarring that affects your confidence. When valuing this part of the claim, your solicitor may refer to the suggested compensation brackets set out in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) for various forms of harm.
- Special damages: For the financial impact of the injury, such as lost earnings or the cost of treatment necessitated by the defect.
We’ve included a table below illustrating some of the brackets taken from the JCG. Please note that the top entry has not been taken from the JCG, and that the table is suggestive only and not a guarantee of compensation.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Various Very Severe Injuries + Financial Loss | Very Severe - multiple very severe injuries with financial losses such as damaged property, medical expenses and lost income | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain Damage | Very Severe - there may be some ability to follow basic commands, but little if any meaningful response to environment | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Paralysis | Paraplegia - the award will consider the degree of independence and the presence and extent of pain | £289,420 to £375,540 |
| Injuries Affecting Sight | Total Blindness | In the region of £355,020 |
| Loss of Sight in a Single Eye with Reduced Vision in the Remaining Eye (i) - with serious risk of further deterioration in the remaining eye | £126,820 to £237,510 | |
| Complete Loss of Sight in One Eye | £65,090 to £72,440 | |
| Facial Disfigurement | Very Severe Scarring - in young claimants where the cosmetic effect is very disfiguring | £39,340 to £128,590 |
| Hand Injuries | Serious Hand Injuries - hand will operate with 50% capacity, such cases include several amputated fingers | £38,310 to £81,790 |
| Skeletal Injuries | Damage to Teeth (i) - loss or serious damage to several front teeth | £11,540 to £15,080 |
| Damage to Hair | (a) Damage to hair where the effects are dermatitis, eczema or tingling of the scalp, causing dry, brittle hair | £9,700 to £14,560 |
Speak with our advisors today, and they can explain how your circumstances may be valued and whether they can connect you with a specialist solicitor from our panel.
What Expenses Could Be Recovered In A Defective Product Liability Claim?
Lost income and rehabilitation costs are among the expenses that could be recovered in a defective product liability claim, provided they are supported by evidence. These losses form part of your special damages and are assessed individually to reflect the financial impact the incident has had on your life.
Depending on your circumstances, recoverable expenses might include:
- Lost income, if the fault caused an injury that kept you away from work or affected long-term earning capacity.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, such as specialist scar management after burns from an overheated appliance or physiotherapy to restore movement.
- Travel expenses incurred for attending hospital appointments or rehabilitation sessions necessitated by the defect.
- Care and support costs to manage everyday tasks. For example, you may need assistance with dressing and cooking if you sustain a serious hand injury from a defective power tool.
- Repairing or replacing damaged belongings, whether that involved scorched clothing after an electrical fault or ruined furniture.
Payslips can help show income you have missed, while receipts or invoices can support expenses you have paid. Repair estimates may also help them establish the value of damaged belongings. A solicitor from our panel can bring these records together, so you are not left trying to work out what might be recoverable on your own. Our advisors can talk through the costs you have faced and explain how they may be reflected in your claim.
We are here to help you
Here at HowMuchCompensation.co.uk our expert advisors are on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to assess your compensation claim. Should you require free advice we can connect you to a specialist solicitor.
Types Of Defective Products
Many everyday products can give rise to a defective product liability claim when a fault makes them unsafe and causes an injury or damage to your belongings. These items can include:
- Electrical goods and household appliances: Faulty wiring or overheating may cause everyday items, such as kettles or washing machines, to catch fire or give an electric shock.
- Children’s toys and baby products: Poorly secured parts may pose a choking risk, while a weakness in a cot or pushchair could cause it to collapse during use.
- Medical devices and medicines: A hip implant may loosen or break because of a manufacturing fault, leaving the patient in pain and needing further treatment. Medicines produced at the wrong strength or contaminated during manufacture may also cause avoidable harm.
- Tools, workplace equipment and vehicle parts: Mechanical faults can cause equipment to fail suddenly during normal use, whether a drill seizes mid‑operation or protective gloves fail to shield the hand. Defective brakes or tyres can similarly stop performing as expected, creating an immediate hazard.
- Food and personal care products: Contamination or formulation faults can cause sudden illness or skin reactions when a product contains an ingredient it should not have or is produced in a way that makes it unsafe to use.
- Furniture and sports equipment: Structural defects or faulty components can cause items to become unstable and collapse.
Not every defective product claim involves the examples above, so please don’t hesitate to discuss your own circumstances with our advisors. They can also provide further guidance if you have any questions about how much compensation for defective product claims may be available in successful cases.
Examples Of Defective Product Liability Claims
Understanding how defective product liability claims arise in practice can make it easier to recognise whether your own experience may support a claim. The examples below show how an unsafe product can fail during ordinary use and cause injury, whether the defect lies in the product itself or in the safety information provided with it.
Defective Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances can become dangerous if faulty wiring or failed safety mechanisms expose users to avoidable risks:
- Example: As you unplug a pair of hair straighteners, the casing splits because an internal connection has overheated. The exposed component gives you an electric shock and leaves you with severe burns to your hand.
Defective Medical Device
Medical devices are intended to support treatment and recovery, but manufacturing or design defects can leave patients suffering further harm instead:
- Example: A walking frame collapses because a joint was not properly secured during manufacture, causing you to fall heavily and fracture your hip.
Defective Children’s Products
Toys and baby products must be manufactured to strict safety standards, especially as young children cannot recognise potential dangers:
- Example: The harness on a high chair suddenly comes away from its fixing points, resulting in your child falling and suffering a broken arm and facial injuries.
Defective Food Products
Contamination or missing information on food packaging can expose consumers to ingredients that make the product unsafe:
- Example: After eating a ready meal containing an undeclared allergen, you develop a severe reaction and need emergency hospital treatment.
These examples are not exhaustive, and you do not need to know exactly why the product failed before speaking with us. Our advisors are here to assess your situation and can provide further guidance on how much compensation for defective product claims might be awarded in circumstances such as those outlined above.
Making A Defective Product Liability Compensation Claim
Although every situation is different, understanding how the product may have failed and gathering information early can help establish whether the defect caused your injury or property damage and whether you may be entitled to pursue compensation.
Evidence Needed To Support A Defective Product Liability Claim
The evidence needed to support a defective product liability claim should help show why the item was unsafe and how it caused your injury or damaged your belongings. A specialist solicitor from our panel can assist with obtaining supportive evidence, which may include:
- The defective product itself, together with any packaging or instruction manuals.
- Photographs of the product and any injuries or property damage it caused.
- Proof of purchase, such as receipts or bank statements showing where and when the product was bought.
- Communications about product recalls or complaints may help show what the manufacturer or retailer knew about the defect and when.
How Long Do I Have To Start A Defective Product Liability Claim?
In most compensation claims, you have 3 years from the date of the incident to begin pursuing compensation. Different time limits may apply in some circumstances, as our guide on the limitation period explains in detail.
No Win No Fee Defective Product Liability Claims
The solicitors on our panel offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis by using a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement. This means you won’t pay solicitor’s service fees before your claim begins or while it’s progressing. You also won’t be charged for your solicitor’s work if the case is unsuccessful.
If your defective product claim succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a legally capped percentage of the compensation. This is known as a success fee, and your solicitor will explain it before the process starts.
To find out more about how CFAs work and whether your defective product liability claim could be handled on a No Win No Fee basis, get in touch today.
Why Claim With The Solicitors On Our Panel Of Experts?
Claiming with a solicitor from our panel means having the support of legal professionals experienced in understanding how defective products become unsafe and how those failures lead to injury or financial loss. They look closely at what happened and work to build a clear, evidence‑based case that reflects the impact the fault has had on your life.
With their client-first approach, you will not be left trying to untangle how the defect arose or who may be responsible. Your solicitor will help by:
- Investigating how the defect arose, including whether it stemmed from the way the product was designed or made, or from inadequate safety warnings.
- Identifying the business responsible by tracing the product through the supply chain to determine whether responsibility lies with the manufacturer or another company.
- Gathering and reviewing evidence, including documents concerning the product itself and your medical records.
- Arranging independent medical appointments during your defective product claim with appropriate clinical experts to evaluate your injuries.
- Valuing your claim, considering both how the faulty item has impacted your health and what it has cost you financially.
Contact Our Advisors
If you are unsure whether an unsafe product has left you with grounds to claim, our advisors can help you make sense of what happened. They can answer your initial questions, including ‘How much compensation for defective product claims?’ and may be able to connect you with a specialist solicitor from our panel to move your case forward. You can get started today by:
- Calling on 0800 408 7826
- Contacting us online
- Speaking to an advisor using our live chat
Learn More
Read our other guides about:
- Find out how to make a gym accident claim
- Learn about how a claim for losing a leg might be valued
- Explore the steps involved in claiming for a fractured jaw
Helpful external resources:
- See this government page about product standards and regulations
- Find out how to claim Statutory Sick Pay via this government overview
- Read this NHS guidance about obtaining a copy of your medical records
Thank you for reading our guide about how much compensation for defective product claims.
