Injured on the train

song_of_calliope

I was sitting on the train, moved my legs back as someone was trying to get out at the next stop and my calf touched the heater underneath my seat. This heater was metal and had no insulation or protection on it. It must have been malfunctioning as it burned my calf.

I found the train guard who checked the heater, said it shouldn't have been burning hot like it was, and switched it off. He told me to fill out an accident report at the next station which I did. Well actually the station attendant filled it in with all my details and said he would send it to their corporate office.

I took photographs of the accident report, of my calf, and of the heater. I am sitting here with an ice pack on my calf which is red and blistered. I feel I should have some sort of compensation such as rail ticket vouchers or some small token gesture. Is this fair? What do I need to do next to make some sort of claim?

Retrogamer

I think all that has been done so far sounds about right so would wait to see what they offer you.
A small discount / gift token would be nice.

Strictly speaking though they probably don't need to offer you anything.
You can only force a claim from them if you can prove the accident happened due to their negligence but they may claim the heater had a random and unpredictable fault.

martindow

I'm sure it was unpleasant but unless they were aware of the fault before you got a burn it was an accident. It doesn't sound as if you are going to have a financial loss - you are not going to have to be off work as a result.

I agree an apology and possibly a discount token would be appropriate.

You may be wise to put on a tin hat. Some people respond vigorously to posts implying a right to compensation!

somethingcorporate

Have you started by asking them politely?

Seems a reasonable start.

StuC75

Did you not feel the heat before your leg touched it? I know when Ive been sat near one its been quite noticeable?

Ebe_Scrooge

What financial loss have you suffered ?

I'm sorry, I'm sure it was quite unpleasant, but I'm one of these who gets < rather annoyed > by the compensation culture. Yes, if you had to take time off from work, or pay for medical treatment, or suffered financially in whatever way, then that would be a genuine case for compensation. But otherwise, I really don't see the justification.

fred246

The problem is you start to have nightmares about being burned. When you wake up at night you're sleep is disrupted. You lose your job and you're husband walks out on you. You can really tell when these people have visited a solicitor. The solicitor says you can't really claim much unless you have psychological damage. Then suddenly there's massive psychological damage.