Claim compensation if an item or product causes damage

Summary

You'll need to work out a fair amount of compensation to ask for. You should consider: * how much money you’ve spent fixing the problems, or how much it will cost to fix * how much time you’ve spent and what your time is worth It’s a good idea to take photos of any damage caused so you can use them as evidence. You should also make note of dates and times when things went wrong. The action you should take depends on whether or not you bought the item that caused the damage. You should first try to claim compensation from the company you bought the item from. Call or write to them and explain your situation. “The law says I’m entitled to be paid damages when a faulty item causes damage.” You can include the cost of the faulty item in your claim for damages, but not if you’ve already had a refund or been given a replacement. If you write, include copies of photos or any other proof you have of the damage. It’s a good idea to keep the originals in case you need them later. You can send the letter by registered post so you have proof that it was received. You have the legal right to get compensation from the manufacturer (ie the company that made the product) if all of the following.

Key information

• •how much money you’ve spent fixing the problems, or how much it will cost to fix
• •how much time you’ve spent and what your time is worth
• •you’re claiming for more than £275
• •the item that caused the damage was unsafe
• •the damage wasn’t done to something owned by a business
• •You'll need to work out a fair amount of compensation to ask for. You should consider:
• •* how much money you’ve spent fixing the problems, or how much it will cost to fix
• •It’s a good idea to take photos of any damage caused so you can use them as evidence. You should also make note of dates and times when things went wrong.
• •The action you should take depends on whether or not you bought the item that caused the damage.
• •You should first try to claim compensation from the company you bought the item from. Call or write to them and explain your situation.
• •“The law says I’m entitled to be paid damages when a faulty item causes damage.”
• •You can include the cost of the faulty item in your claim for damages, but not if you’ve already had a refund or been given a replacement.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Claim compensation if an item or product causes damage](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/claim-compensation-if-an-item-or-product-causes-damage/)

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