Dealing with poisoning is a distressing ordeal that can shake your faith in public safety or the standards of an organisation. Whether it’s a case of food poisoning from a local restaurant, chemical exposure at work or contamination from a faulty product, the repercussions can damage both your health and your trust in others. The physical effects may be short or long-term, but the emotional toll can sometimes be harder to overcome.

If you or a loved one has suffered from poisoning due to the negligence or fault of another person or organisation, you may be able to make a claim to compensate for your suffering and any financial losses you've experienced.

We know that dealing with poisoning can be a delicate and emotionally taxing affair. Switalskis’ expert personal injury team offers compassionate and clear guidance throughout the entire claims process, keeping you in the loop every step of the way.

Poisoning can have severe, sometimes even fatal, repercussions. Many cases result from the negligence or oversight of people or organisations who are responsible for controlling poisonous substances. Below are some of the most common scenarios in which claims have arisen:

• Food poisoning: restaurants and food suppliers have a duty to make sure the food they provide is safe for consumption. Failure to follow hygiene standards can lead to severe cases of food poisoning, for which you can claim compensation.
• Chemical exposure at work: employers are responsible for making sure a work environment is safe. Exposure to toxic chemicals without proper safety measures and equipment in place can result in poisoning and long-term health consequences.
• Contaminated water: local authorities or housing associations that don't adequately maintain water supplies could be held responsible for cases of poisoning due to contaminated water, and anyone who is poisoned as a result can claim compensation.
• Lead poisoning: property owners or landlords who fail to remove lead paint or pipes may be held liable for injuries to tenants. Failure to remove lead-based products can result in lead poisoning, which is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women.
• Environmental pollution: companies that release toxic substances into the air, soil or water without proper controls can be liable for poisoning those living or working nearby.

Many poisoning cases can be prevented when the appropriate safety measures are implemented. When those responsible fail in their duties and you’re poisoned, this can feel like a betrayal of trust and lead to serious emotional consequences. At Switalskis, we approach each case with compassion and understanding, and we're here to guide you towards the compensation you rightly deserve.

Generally, personal injury claims for poisoning must also be brought within three years from the date of the incident or from the moment you became aware of the effects of the poisoning. However, there are some specific considerations and exceptions in poisoning cases:

• Children: if a child is poisoned due to negligence, a claim can be made on their behalf at any point until they reach 18 years old. After that, they have until they turn 21 to start their own claim.
• Mental capacity: if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to do it themselves, time restrictions may not apply.
• Chronic exposure: in cases where the poisoning results from prolonged exposure to a toxic substance, like asbestos or lead, the time limit may start from the date you became aware of the connection between the exposure and your illness, rather than starting from the first date that you were poisoned.

Given that the claims process is time-sensitive and each case has its own unique set of challenges, it's advisable to start building your case sooner rather than later. The more time we have to collect evidence and prepare, the stronger your claim is likely to be. Get in touch at the earliest opportunity to speak to us about making a claim.

We handle poisoning compensation claims on a no win, no fee basis. This means you'll only have to pay legal fees if we successfully win your case. When we secure compensation for you, a percentage of your award will go towards your legal costs. We’ll agree on this percentage at the start of the claim. That way, you can be confident that you won’t experience any unexpected costs throughout the process.

If the idea of financing a legal claim worries you, there may be additional financial support available to you. Certain types of insurance may provide funding for legal claims. We’ll discuss this during our initial consultation, so you can be sure how you’ll fund your claim before it moves ahead.