[daysdeepclean]

I cleaned an oven yesterday for a lady who mention "Compensation claims" a little too often for comfort. Anyway, I get this phone call today saying that her husband slipped last night and it must have been the silicone spray I'd used. His knee's popped out but she was just making me aware of the situation

I didn't spray the stuff everywhere and I'm sure she's trying it on, I've never had this problem before. Where do I stand?

I do have public liability insurance and I have a disclaimer which is more geared to the carpet cleaning side of the business, but does mention about being warey of slippery surfaces!

[BDCS]

Don't loose ant sleep over it, phone your insurance and tell them, tell the customer who your insurance are then say nowt. Let the ins deal with it all

[Robert Parry]

Hi Colin,

First point is not to do anything, if the customer is at all serious, she will let you know, trust me on this!

Second point, you say that you have a disclaimer on some sort of paperwork, perhaps the order form?

Do you have all the legal paperwork in place?

Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Coshh etc. The paperwork should be specific for the task being carried out, in this case oven cleaning, if you do not have this, get it sorted B****Y quick!

Note the date and time your customer informed you of this, plus the fact that she mentioned compensation whilst you were on the job, so to speak.

If she does contact you again, then inform her of your insurance details, then as BDCS says, say nowt.

As you already mentioned, she is probably trying it on, but you never can be sure, especially if you are untrained in cleaning ovens, or you do not fully grasp the risks associated with the scope of works that you carry out.

Being able to clean an oven is totally different to being trained in how to clean an oven!

If she does go ahead with a claim, the insurance will probably settle out of court with the least fuss and cost that it can, however your own premiums will rise next time, plus you may find it more difficult to get insurance in the future.

Get your paperwork, policies and procedures right for all tasks that you undertake, get certified training in each of the tasks that you undertake, and ensure that you follow the correct procedures on site.

I think that we will all see much more of this throughout 2009 -10, as most people are well aware of the ease of submitting a claim these days.

Best of British,

Regards,
Rob

[The Great One]

Hi

I had a claim against me almost 4 years ago. Was cleaning an oven, he said I had damaged his kitchen floor and carpets!!!

threatened court action, wanted £3k, pay now or I will sue blah, blah, blah...

I came back with my insurers details and did nothing else, they settled for £800 in the end (as they knew the client was trying it on), I have had no issues getting any insurance and have just changed to cover my Trauma Cleaning side.

I would wait and see what happens, keep a record of any calls or letters, if they go further, issue your insurers details. End of.

Regards

Martin

[daysdeepclean]

Thanks very much to you all for your helpful advice and putting my mind at ease. I'm thinking that she was trying it on and I am 100% sure that there's no way I caused the floor to be slippery.....

I owe you guys a pint if I ever get the pleasure! Cheers!

Colin...