How To Make A Broken And Faulty Handle Compensation Claim
By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 24th July 2023. Have you been injured due to a faulty handle? Would you like to make a broken handle claim? This article will explain who could be responsible for a faulty handle, what evidence you may need to support your case and the time limits on making a personal injury claim. The guide will also explore potential compensation amounts and how our professional solicitors could help you.
broken handle claim
Faulty handles may seem minor at first, however, they have the potential to cause harm in some cases. From minor cut injuries to more significant fractures, each one can worsen your day by detrimentally affecting your physical health. It may even stop your daily and work activities.
If you have sustained an injury due to a faulty handle and you would like to make a personal injury claim then get in touch with our advisors. They are available around the clock to provide free legal advice and determine if your claim is valid. If they believe your case has a strong basis they may connect you with our expert lawyers to start the claiming process. Get in touch with our advisors today by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Starting your claim online
- Emailing info@legalexpert.co.uk
- Using the live chat feature
Select A Section
- Who Could Be Responsible For A Broken Or Faulty Handle?
- How Could A Broken Handle Cause An Injury?
- What Evidence Do You Need To Make A Broken Handle Claim?
- How Long Do You Have To Make A Broken Handle Claim?
- Faulty Handle Compensation Claim Calculator
- How To Make A Broken Handle Claim
Who Could Be Responsible For A Broken Or Faulty Handle?
In the faulty handle claim process, you would need to be able to prove liability in order to make a personal injury claim. This would mean proving that those who had a responsibility for your safety breached their duty of care.
Negligence refers to an entity such as an employer or occupier of a space breaching their duty of care, meaning they failed to take the responsible steps to ensure that all workers and individuals in their space are kept reasonably safe.
There are several pieces of legislation that outline the duty of care that is owed:
Successful personal injury claims following an injury caused by a broken handle would need to show how health and safety laws were not adhered to. Contact our advisors for information today on the faulty handle compensation claims process.
How Could A Broken Handle Cause An Injury?
There are various ways a broken door handle injury can occur. Some examples may include:
- A crush injury may occur if your finger becomes stuck between the door and its frame.
- Penetrating injuries may occur if the handle comes off during a sudden or violent event. These can result in nerve damage.
- Degloving injuries may occur if the fingers or hand catch on a sharp piece of the handle and it pulls away with your hand still caught on it.
- Fractures can occur if the fingers or hand get stuck between the door and frame.
However, in order to have a valid faulty handle injury claim, you must be able to prove that your injuries were caused by a relevant third party breaching their duty of care towards you.
If you would like to discuss your eligibility for personal injury compensation, please get in touch with one of our advisors.
What Evidence Do You Need To Make A Broken Handle Claim?
When making a broken handle claim, you will need to prove a third party’s negligence directly led to your injury. This can be done by gathering evidence, which could benefit greatly from legal guidance. Our No Win No Fee solicitors can help, making the process feel simpler by advising on how to proceed. Some examples of evidence that you can collect include:
- Medical records – It is important that you receive medical attention to treat your injuries. This can provide official documentation created by a medical professional to support your claim.
- CCTV footage – Collect any CCTV footage from the incident from your employer or the occupier. You can also request any recordings from bystanders or colleagues too.
- Pictures – It can really help to have photographic evidence of both the accident site and your injury to provide visual context for your case.
- Witness details – Try and take witness details so a legal professional, like our solicitors, can collect statements at a later date.
Furthermore, if your injury occurred at the workplace there is another document that can be helpful for your faulty handle compensation claim. If your workplace has 10 or more employees then your employer is legally required to provide an accident at work book. If you note your incident in this book it helps to create a timely record of the incident.
For information about what other evidence you can gather for your case, contact our advisors today.
How Long Do You Have To Make A Broken Handle Claim?
A faulty handle compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim, therefore it follows the time limits established in The Limitation Act 1980. The Act states personal injury claim time limits as follows:
- 3 years from the injury’s infliction
- 3 years from the injury’s discovery
There are also some exceptions for extenuating circumstances, including:
- The 3-year time limit for a minor begins on their 18th birthday until their 21st birthday.
- A litigation friend can act as a representative for those under 18.
- If the individual is mentally incapable, a litigation friend can also be appointed on their behalf, unless they regain their mental capacity.
A litigation friend is a term describing an individual that represents the best interest of the claimant and continues legal proceedings on their behalf. For information about broken handle claim time limits, speak to our advisors today.
Faulty Handle Compensation Claim Calculator
If your faulty handle compensation claim succeeds, there are two potential heads of compensation you may receive.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) publishes the potential compensation bracket amounts for general damages, covering the pain and suffering inflicted during your injury. The awarded figures differ in line with the injury and how serious it is. The table below shows possible compensation amounts outlined in the 16th edition of the JCG 2022:
| Injury | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Severe other arm injuries (a) | £96,160 to £130,930 | Injuries fall short of amputation but leave the person a little better off than if the arm was lost. |
| Injuries resulting in permanent and substantial disablement (b) | £39,170 to £59,860 | The injured person has fractured one or both forearms with considerable permanent persisting disability functional and cosmetic. |
| Less severe other arm injury (c) | £19,200 to £39,170 | There may be substantial disabilities, but a considerable recovery has been undertaken. |
| Simple fractures of the forearm (d) | £6,610 to £19,200 | Where the injured person has suffered simple forearm fractures. |
| Serious hand injuries (e) | £29,000 to £61,910 | The injured person will lose half of their hand capacity, potential amputation and rejoining of fingers leaving it clumsy or unsightly. Can include rejoining part of the palm also, diminishing grip and dexterity with deformities. |
| Severe fractures to fingers (f) | Up to £36,740 | Where the injury may lead to partial amputation with deformities, grip impairment and reduced motor and sensory function. |
| Less serious hand injury (g) | £14,450 to £29,000 | A severe crushing injury with considerable impairment without operative treatment or despite surgery. |
| Moderate hand injury (h) | £5,720 to £13,280 | The injured person suffers a crush, penetrative or soft tissue injury and/or deep lacerations. |
| Fracture of index finger (j) | £9,110 to £12,240 | Where the index fracture has healed quickly but the grip is impaired and pain occurs with heavy use. |
| Wrist injury (c) | £12,590 to £24,500 | The injuries are less severe with some lasting disabilities such as continuing pain or stiffness. |
The second head of compensation you may be able to receive is special damages. These damages specifically refer to any unexpected costs that you have collated during your injury. Some examples of special damages include:
- Loss of earnings and future income
- Gracious costs i.e. family and friend carers
- Property adaptations
- Child care costs
- Travelling between medical appointments
We encourage you to keep any receipts of expenditures caused by your injury to support your claims. Contact our advisors for information regarding your faulty handle compensation claim today.
How To Make A Broken Handle Claim
Should you intend to make a faulty handle claim you may want to speak to our advisors for free legal advice, to understand the validity of your case. If you have a claim they can pass you on to our expert No Win No Fee solicitors.
No Win No Fee is an umbrella term that commonly refers to financial arrangements that can be used to hire a solicitor’s service. The contract our lawyers offer is a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which requires no upfront hiring costs. Plus, if your claim fails you do not pay your solicitor for their service.
A CFA solicitor receives a small legally capped percentage of your compensation, otherwise known as a success fee. The fee can only be taken if your claim is successful.
If you believe our CFA lawyers could help in your broken handle claim, then get in touch with our advisors today by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Starting your claim online
- Emailing info@legalexpert.co.uk
- Using the live chat feature
Faulty And Broken Accident Claim Resources
We have provided other informative guides:
Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation? – How Much Can I Claim?
There are also helpful external links:
Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents (RoSPA)
Contact our advisors for information regarding a faulty handle compensation claim.
Guide By Eaton
Edited By Melissa.
