Weil's Disease
Compensation Claims

If Weil's disease has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Weil’s disease, also known as Leptospirosis, is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms, including fever, jaundice, and organ damage. The infection is typically contracted from water contaminated by animal urine, and can have lasting consequences if not treated promptly. Treatment requires antibiotics and general supportive care.

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by Weil's disease, we can help. If your infection was caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

What to consider when you claim for Weil's disease infection

• By law, employers must take steps to manage risks associated with air- and water-borne infectious disease.
• Workers in agriculture, water management and other jobs that involve contact with animals, contaminated water and sewage are particularly at risk.
• You can claim if your illness was caused by the negligence of your employer, or that of the owner or operator of the premises where you were infected.
• Compensation payouts can vary from £2,450 for minor breathing issues to £204,350 for serious bladder or kidney damage.
• You must start a claim within 3 years of identifying the link between your illness and the cause - the longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather evidence of the negligence.
• You're eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
• Your compensation amount will be influenced by the extent of your injury and your financial losses and expenses. Discover how much you could claim with our compensation calculator.

New cases of Weil's disease are diagnosed every year - you are not alone

There are around 50 cases of Weil's disease (leptospirosis) in the UK every year (rospa.com). 65 patients were admitted to hospital for Weil's disease in 2022-23, according to NHS England.

Weil's disease, a severe form of leptospirosis, is rare in the UK. Only 10 percent of leptospirosis cases develop into Weil's disease.

If you decide to make a Weil's disease 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 need to move forward.

If you need information on Weil's disease symptoms and treatment, see: Weil's Disease (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for Weil's disease?

The compensation you're eligible to claim for Weil's disease depends on:

• the nature and severity of your illness,
• how your illness interferes with your daily activities and job,
• the financial losses or expenses you've faced because of your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your weil's disease or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.

Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, pain medication and monitoring.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average Weil's disease compensation payouts

The following Weil's disease payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Bladder injury

Kidney injury

Lung disease

Do I qualify for Weil's disease compensation?

You can start a compensation claim for Weil's disease, if:

• you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
• another person was to blame, and;
• that person owed you a legal duty of care.

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.

Understanding Weil's disease

A bacterial infection caused by the bacteria leptospira, Weil's disease can infect all the major organs, including the kidney, liver, heart, lungs and brain. Animals, such as cattle, pigs and rats, are the main carriers of the bacteria, however they can pass it to humans - predominantly through infected urine.

Humans can develop it when infected water or soil comes into contact with their eyes, nose, mouth or an open cut. It is also possible to contract it through rodent bites, drinking contaminated water or, rarely, animal blood.

In leptospirosis' milder form, diagnosis can be difficult as similar symptoms present in many illnesses. For Weil's disease diagnosis can be much easier.

Diagnosing Weil's disease

Establishing a clear diagnosis of Weil's disease is an important first step in any Weil's disease compensation claim. As Weil's disease is most common in people who come into contact with animals, including rodents, or fresh water sources such as lakes or rivers, a personal history is helpful in a diagnosis.

If a person displaying the symptoms of Weil's disease is employed in a work environment which exposes them, occupation would usually be identified as the cause. Other possible causes include leisure activities, such as freshwater fishing or private ownership of animals.

Common occupations in Weil's disease compensation claims include:

• Farmers Vets
• Sewerage workers
• Abattoir workers
• Pest control experts
• Professional freshwater divers
• Waste disposal workers
• Construction workers
• Butchers

Who is liable in Weil's disease (leptospirosis) compensation claims?

Once a diagnosis of leptospirosis has been confirmed, and the cause identified, it is then possible to assign liability.

In cases where the infection was contracted in the workplace, the most common type of claim, the employer is usually liable if it can be proved that the disease was contracted as a result of their negligence.

For leptospirosis and Weil's disease specifically, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (hse.gov.uk) provides specific guidance on what can be done to minimise risk. This includes:

• Consulting with vets about cattle/animal infection
• Dealing with rat infestations
• Advising employees to wash cuts and graze immediately and wear waterproof plasters
• Providing protective clothing

If an employer failed to carry out these requirements, and an employee contracts Weil's disease as a result, they could be held liable. Once advised of a claim, an employee may admit or deny it. They may also argue ‘contributory negligence', for example if they believe the person affected may have not been following procedures as instructed.

You can claim compensation even if you were partly responsible for your exposure.

Why compensation is vital in Weil's disease cases

Initially leptospirosis is flu-like in its manifestation. However it can develop, over just a few days, into Weil's disease.

Recognised symptoms of Weil's disease include: jaundice; decreased urine; painful swelling of the liver, breathing difficulties, weight loss and swollen ankles, feet or hands. Urgent medical attention is often required. If treatment is not sought, it can result in meningitis and organ failure.

Whatever symptoms you have experienced, you will have likely needed medication, such as penicillin or corticosteroids, and supportive care. You may have also taken time off work and your recovery will have affected your daily life and activities. Compensation will help cover these losses.

How much compensation you receive for leptospirosis or Weil's disease will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the symptoms and the prognosis.

How the cause of your Weils disease affects the claims process

The claims process changes depending on the cause of your illness. Click the icons below to learn more.

Work accidents Public places Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.