If you disagree with the compensation amount
When we tell you what your compensation amount will be, you'll have 3 months to decide whether to accept it.
Make sure you are happy with the compensation amount before signing the decision form and accepting the offer. We will not be able to review your compensation offer once you've signed the form.
If you disagree with the offer you can ask us to review it. If you're still not satisfied after our review, you can:
- Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal if you're still not satisfied with the decision.
- Appeal to the Upper Tribunal if you disagree with the First-tier Tribunal's decision on a point of law.
Our Internal review process
We can only review a decision if you:
- believe your compensation amount is incorrect
- have been told you're not eligible for all or part of your compensation
- believe a compensation offer has been made to the wrong person
- disagree with our decision to refuse to assign a care award to someone you nominated
You need to ask for a review within 3 months of your offer date. To do this, you can:
- write a signed letter to PO Box 384, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1XY
- call your claim manager to ask for a review and they will send you a letter to sign and return
You can also send us further evidence, like medical records. You must do this within 6 months from the date of asking for a review.
You'll be given a different claim manager, who'll review the decision and any further documentation you've shared with them. The claim manager will discuss your claim with a panel that includes legal, financial and medical advisers.
After the review we will either confirm the original offer or give you a new one. We will send you a letter with the decision.
We have the right to review any compensation claim at any time even if you have not asked for a review.
Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal
If you disagree with your compensation offer after an internal review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. You must do this within 1 month of receiving the outcome of the internal review.
You can appeal the following decisions:
- your eligibility for compensation
- the amount of compensation awarded to you
- the person the compensation was awarded to
You must inform us in writing if you want to appeal the decision.
Your appeal will be processed by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). A hearing will take place if the judge allows it.
The decision will then be upheld or we will make a new decision.
Appeal to the Upper Tribunal
Following the hearing at the First-tier Tribunal, you can only appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, such as, if the tribunal did not:
- give proper reasons for its decision, or back up the decision with evidence
- apply the law properly
See appeal an infected blood compensation decision on the HM Courts & Tribunals Service website for more information about the appeals process.