Fire service negligence claims cost Avon and Cambridgeshire over £270,000 since 2020

Figures obtained by No Win No Fee Solicitors Co show that Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service have paid out a combined total of £274,000 in public and employer liability claims since 2020.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service, which covers Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, paid out £218,000.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service, which covers Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, paid out £56,000.

As reported by No Win No Fee Solicitors Co, the combined total covers successful claims related to alleged negligence resulting in injuries to employees or damages to members of the public.

Breakdown of claims lodged and settled from 2020 to 2024

Between 2020 and 2024, 182 liability claims were lodged against Avon Fire & Rescue Service, with 71 of those settled.

The number of claims increased year on year from 2020 to 2022, reaching 55 that year.

In 2023/24, Avon reported a decrease to 47 claims.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service received 88 liability claims during the same period.

Of these, 27 were settled.

The service saw a reduction in claims in the most recent reporting year, with 16 compared to 25 in 2023.

Common reasons for public and employee claims

Motor-related incidents were the most common cause of claims for both services.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service recorded 156 motor-based claims and 18 public liability property claims.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service reported 80 motor-based claims and 6 employer liability cases.

In both services, firefighters can face injuries such as burns, crush injuries, smoke inhalation, stress, or falls from height.

According to No Win No Fee Solicitors Co, members of the public may also submit claims related to road traffic collisions involving fire engines or property damage during callouts.

Legal context and public safety considerations

No Win No Fee Solicitors Co said firefighters who believe their employer was negligent may be eligible to claim compensation.

Fire services have a legal duty of care to protect their employees from avoidable harm.

Speaking to No Win No Fee Solicitors Co, solicitor Lucy Parker said: “Submitting a claim against the fire service when there is a perceived fault can lead to positive change in procedures and training, helping to prevent the same mistakes from occurring again.

“It is not just about your individual case, but about the safety of the community as a whole.”

She added: “Whether you’re an employee claiming for workplace injuries or a member of the public claiming for property damage against a fire service, the specific legal grounds and procedural requirements will differ.

“If you feel that a fire service is at fault, then you should seek legal advice to see whether you have any grounds to submit a claim.”

Fire service negligence claims cost Avon and Cambridgeshire over £270,000 since 2020: Summary

No Win No Fee Solicitors Co reported that Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service have paid £218,000 and £56,000 respectively in public and employer liability claims since 2020.

Avon received 182 claims, 71 of which were settled.

Cambridgeshire received 88 claims, settling 27.

Motor-related incidents were the most common type of claim in both services.

Public claims included property damage and road traffic incidents involving fire engines.

Employee claims included injuries sustained during training or emergency response.

Legal duties require services to take reasonable steps to ensure safety.

Solicitor Lucy Parker said that claims can contribute to improvements in safety procedures.

Both services saw a drop in claims in the most recent reporting year.