Hogweed Injury Claims

Hogweed (Cow Parsnip) is a native plant that can be found in locations such as hedgerows, roadside verges, waste grounds, and rough grasslands. It can be identified as a large white umbrella of flowers with hairy stems.

If you come into contact with this plant, it can cause serious skin irritation.

If you have been burnt by this plant in a public area, you may be able to claim compensation as the owner of the land is responsible for removing any Hogweed that grows. The injury must have occurred within the last 3 years.

CONTACT THE CLAIMS EXPERTS

Jefferies Solicitors have over 25 years of experience in dealing with compensation claims, including Hogweed injury claims. If you have suffered an injury because of an accident that wasn’t your fault, our lawyers may be able to help you. We will guide you every step of the way and help you win the compensation you are entitled to.

If you have been you have suffered an injury from Hogweed, contact us on 0800 342 3206 or get in touch online.

Hogweed Injuries

Hogweed injuries can last up to 4 months, with symptoms of Hogweed contact including:

• Burning & Stinging
• Itching
• Blistering
• Scarring
• Long-term skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Blindness from sap contact with eyes

What to do after Hogweed contact

• Remove sap as fast as possible with a paper towel, without rubbing. Avoid spreading sap on the skin.
• Rinse the area of skin affected with water and soap and wash your hands.
• Remove clothing and wash them to avoid contaminating other parts of your body or objects.
• Avoid exposing affected areas of your skin to natural or artificial light. Wear gloves, pants, and a long-sleeve shirt for at least 48 hours. If you have burns, cover affected areas for a week.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 for 6 months.

HOW DOES THE CLAIMS PROCESS WORK?

At Jefferies, once we have carried out an initial consultation, we will take care of the paperwork required to start your case.

A letter will be sent to you following an initial consultation with your solicitor. This will be a summary of the discussion about the hogweed injury claim and will confirm that they are happy to take on your case. It will highlight who will be your contact and estimate how long the process will take. The letter will also detail how you will be funding the case and an estimate of costs. If you need to provide any further information this will also be included.

A letter will then be sent to the defendant, providing details of the accident. The defendant has a fixed period in which they can reply and in their reply, they must state whether or not they are denying or accepting liability for your injuries. If they do accept liability, your solicitor will endeavour to settle the case out of court.

AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION IN HOGSWEED INJURY CLAIMS

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. The amount of compensation that is awarded is determined by looking at two specific factors – general damages and special damages.

GENERAL DAMAGES

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused is the main factor that is used to determine how much compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that outlines the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity.

Our compensation calculator gives an indication of how much you might be entitled to based upon your injuries. Jefferies Solicitors will take these different details relating to your injury into account when calculating how much compensation you should be awarded, which will then be put forward to the opposing side and the judge.

SPECIAL DAMAGES

However, compensation also takes into account any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries, such as a loss of earnings due to being unable to return to work. If you have had to pay for treatment or travel to treatment, compensation may also be able to cover this as well. Therefore, you should keep any receipts or other documents that help to outline the extent of your financial losses, as caused by your accident/injuries.

Except for children, there is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim. This time limit begins from the date that the accident occurred. You should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible to assess your case.

Hogweed Injury claims, START YOUR CLAIM TODAY

Our experts at Jefferies Solicitors are well experienced in dealing with a range of different case types.

To discuss your potential claim in confidence, contact our team on 0800 342 3206. Alternatively, complete our online contact form to arrange an initial no-obligation telephone consultation with a member of our expert team.