Rotavirus
compensation claims

If rotavirus has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Rotavirus infection causes diarrhoea among infants and young children, and it can lead to severe dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions are the main focus of treatment, with intravenous fluids provided for more severe dehydration.

If your child has been affected by rotavirus, we can help. If the illness was caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

You are not alone

Rotavirus and Norovirus are the most common causes of gastroenteritis. Both are highly contagious meaning that the illness may quickly spread to several people. Symptoms generally appear within 48 hours of exposure to the viruses.

Resistant to modern disinfectants and anti-bacterial solutions, rotaviruses can survive for hours on hands, and for days on hard, dry surfaces. Even in the most hygienic environments, viruses can be transmitted easily through children who forget to wash their hands before eating, or after using the toilet.

By the time they turn five most children will have been infected by rotavirus; some having several episodes. Symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhoea and stomach cramps and typically last 3 to 8 days. This may result in severe dehydration and hospitalisation in some cases.

A vaccination was introduced for babies aged 2 and 3 months, resulting in a reduction of 70% in the number of reported cases.

Adults may contract rotavirus through contact with a sick child, although symptoms are usually less severe.

Noroviruses can cause gastroenteritis in people of any age. An estimated 600,000 to 1 million fall ill through norovirus infection every year. As there are so many variants of the virus it is difficult to build up immunity, so a person may be infected several times.

If you decide to make a rotavirus claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you deserve.

See also:

Norovirus compensation claims

Rotavirus compensation claims

If you are looking for information on norovirus symptoms and treatment, see: norovirus (nhs.uk).

Do I have a rotavirus claim?

If you've been injured in an accident that was caused another person or organisation in the last 3 years, you will be entitled to make a claim for financial compensation.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

How long do I have to claim rotavirus compensation?

In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.

If your injury or illness is not immediately apparent, the 3-year time limit starts from the date that you injury or illness was diagnosed and your were informed of the likely caused.

If you were injured when you were under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start an injury claim.

How much compensation can I claim for rotavirus?

The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:

• the seriousness of your injury, and
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.

General damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).

Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for lost wages, bonuses, benefits and other perks, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as rehydration, anti-diarrheal medication, monitoring and dietary changes.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How are rotaviruses and noroviruses transmitted?

Where large groups of people are contained in a relatively small area and facilities are shared, such as in all-inclusive holidays and cruise ships, it takes only one infected person to create an outbreak of sickness.

Good hygiene is the key to preventing transmission of both rotavirus and norovirus; thorough hand washing with soap and water may be helpful in preventing cross-contamination. Neglecting this basic good practice may result in an infected person contaminating food that is subsequently consumed by others.

Hard surfaces may also be contaminated this way. This may include toys that infected children share. Therefore it is vital to ensure that surfaces are kept clean using bleach based products to help prevent transmission.

Items such as towels and bedding used by infected people may also be a source of contagion, so should be laundered in a hot wash to kill the viruses.

Transmission may also be by direct contact with an infected person.

Anyone who has contracted either virus should avoid returning to the workplace or school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

How did your injury happen?

The claims process for a rotavirus infection will depend on where and how you were exposed. Click the icons below for more information:

Public
places

Work
accidents

Other
accidents

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How we can help you with your injury claim

Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.

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Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.