Making an infected blood compensation claim

Over 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or co-infections after receiving contaminated blood, blood products or tissue during NHS treatment between the 1970s and 1990s. Many of the victims of this infected blood scandal have suffered lifelong health issues, financial hardship, and emotional trauma, with a wide-reaching impact on their families too.

Thorntons’ supportive personal injury team, including Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury Law, are on hand to help both infected victims and their affected families claim the compensation they are entitled to under the new government-funded Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. Recent reforms to the scheme have widened the eligibility for compensation for those impacted by the scandal, including allowing for affected claims beyond death.

With only 7.3% of the estimated 30,000 victims having been invited to claim compensation by early 2025, many whose lives have been devastated by contaminated blood are missing out on the financial redress they deserve.

Our experienced team at Thorntons can advise you on your eligibility under the revised compensation scheme, whether directly or indirectly infected, an affected relative or carer or the estate of a victim of the scandal who has sadly died. We can support you through the whole claims process, handling it on a no win no fee basis.

What is the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme?

The government-funded Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (IBCS) is the new scheme designed to provide financial compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal in the UK. It is operated by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). Under the scheme, both directly and indirectly infected victims and their affected relatives and any unpaid carers can claim compensation. Claims by representatives of a victim’s estate are also eligible.

How do I register with the scheme?

The IBCS is still in an initial rollout stage, and has started making payments to living infected people already registered with existing schemes. Claimants from other groups will be invited to claim in due course. However, individuals can also proactively indicate their intention to claim rather than having to wait for an invitation. Our specialist lawyers can ensure you are registered with the IBCS and handle the interaction with the scheme on your behalf.

I am already registered with an existing compensation scheme, do I still need to prove eligibility?

No. If you, or your relative, were previously registered with an existing scheme, such as the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme, you should be automatically eligible under the IBCA’s current guidance.

We can check your registration status on your behalf, ensure that all the necessary evidence is in place for your claim, and deal with any interaction with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) for you.

How is compensation under the scheme calculated?

Compensation is calculated based on the impact the infected blood has had on different parts of your life. These impact categories include:

Award Type	Purpose
Injury	Physical, mental, and emotional harm (past and future)
Social Impact	Stigma, isolation, and emotional disruption due to infection
Autonomy	Loss of control over personal decisions (e.g. fertility, informed consent
Care	Years of help needed due to infection (professional or family care). You can nominate this award to go to someone that provided you with care. The IBCA will issue the amount you would like (some or all) directly to the affected person.
Financial Loss	Lost earnings and future earning potential, including unpaid work (e.g. childcare)

You will receive a compensation amount for each category if you qualify, and the amount will depend on the severity of your infection (or co-infections). You can get an estimate of possible compensation using the IBCA’s compensation calculator. Our specialist lawyers can discuss with you the factors that affect compensation amounts and what you are potentially entitled to, working with you and the IBCA to make sure you get a fair award.

Can I get an interim payment?

Eligible estates that were registered with an existing compensation scheme on or before 17 April 2024, can claim an interim compensation payment until the final award under the IBCS is finalised. This can also apply to affected claimants and representatives claiming on behalf of a deceased infected victim. Any interim payments will be deducted from the final overall award.

From 23 October 2025, the interim payment awards available to deceased’s estates will total £310,000. At Thorntons, we have already successfully recovered several interim payments to date, helping families when they need it most.

Our team can help you claim an interim payment if you are eligible, and ensure ongoing payments as needed.

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme eligibility

Those eligible under the scheme include people who have been directly or indirectly infected, those who are affected because of their relationship with an infected person, and the estate of an infected victim who has died before making a claim or receiving compensation. Our team can advise you on your eligibility given your individual situation.

Directly and indirectly infected victims

The compensation scheme recognises the claims of both those directly infected by contaminated NHS-supplied blood, blood products or tissue, and those indirectly infected by them.

Directly infected people include those who were infected with HIV, and acute or chronic cases of Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B by contaminated blood, blood products or tissue.

Indirectly infected people include both those infected by a person who was directly infected, and those infected by a person who was infected by someone directly infected.

Affected people

Affected people are those who have been impacted by the infected blood scandal because of their relationship with an eligible infected person. These include family members such as partners, children, parents, and siblings and unpaid carers.

You can only apply for compensation under the scheme as an affected person if the infected person you are claiming in relation to is eligible for the scheme. Each eligible affected person can make their own claim for compensation, regardless of how many other eligible affected people are claiming.

Estates of victims

If an eligible infected person has died before making a claim, their claim will not die with them. Personal representatives of the victim’s estate can now claim on behalf of the estate.

The IBCA have recently announced that the same will now apply to any affected person who dies before 31 December 2031. Their claim will no longer die with them and the estate can lodge a claim.

Making a claim for contaminated blood compensation

Our specialist team can handle the stress of the claim for you, supporting you and your family throughout.

What evidence do I need to make a claim?

You will need to supply evidence to prove you (or your family member) were infected as a result of the scandal. This can include medical records and reports, details of any care received, witness evidence, documents to prove your identity, records of employment, and in the case of estate claims, proof that Confirmation (known as Probate in England & Wales) has been granted and an executor or executrix has been appointed.

Do not worry if you do not have complete records or some information is missing, you can still make a claim. We can work with you to gather the evidence needed and handle the claims process with the IBCA.

If you are already registered with an existing support scheme and supplied evidence, you do not have to reregister or resubmit evidence to the IBCA, as it will use the evidence you have already submitted.

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased victim’s estate, you will also need to provide evidence that the estate has gone through confirmation in Scotland or probate in the rest of the UK.

Is there a time limit for making an infected blood compensation claim?

Currently, if you were diagnosed before 1 April 2025, you will be able to make a claim under the Scheme until 31 March 2031.

If you are diagnosed after 1 April 2025, you will have six years after your diagnosis to make your claim.

How much compensation could I receive for an infected blood claim?

Compensation amounts are based on the severity of the infection and suffering the victim has endured in various aspects of their lives, such as physical and mental impact, financial loss and care needs. You can get an estimate of possible compensation by checking out the IBCA’s compensation calculator.

At Thorntons, we aim to help you get a fair compensation payment to reflect the impact the infected blood has had on your life. We are handling claims for our clients with values ranging from thousands of pounds up to £2.7m.

If I have recovered from the infection, can I still claim?

Yes. If you have been either directly or indirectly infected and have recovered, or your infection has cleared, you can still apply for compensation.

Do I need a solicitor to make an infected blood compensation claim?

No, you can make the claim yourself. However, the right legal support can make the process much less stressful, gathering evidence and dealing with the IBCA on your behalf, handling the extensive admin and ensuring you receive a fair offer. Our experienced specialist lawyers at Thorntons will handle the claim process and evidence-gathering for you, working to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve and doing so on a no-win no-fee basis.

What does Thorntons’ claims process involve?

Our team are available 8am to 8pm by phone, email, live chat or face to face for a no-obligation discussion of your case and potential claim. If you decide that our support is the best route for your claim, we can accept instructions to commence your claim. We handle most of our claims on a no-win no-fee basis.

We ensure you are registered for the Scheme and help gather all the necessary evidence, including medical records, for your claim. If further investigation is required for your case, our specialist team can advise on the best course of action. We handle all contact with the other parties and negotiate on your behalf.

Once a compensation amount is offered, we can advise you if this a fair compensation payment given your individual circumstances and suffering.

How can Thorntons help?

Getting the right legal support and advice will ensure your infected blood compensation claim is properly handled and you are supported throughout the process. And while no amount of money can make up for what you have gone through, we work to ensure you receive the recognition and recompense you should.

Our specialist Personal Injury team are on hand to help. You’ll find our offices in communities all over Scotland. We are available to discuss your potential claim with you by telephone, video conferencing, email or in person.

We are highly experienced in dealing with sensitive cases UK wide, and fighting for our clients’ rights in cases for the armed forces, historic sexual abuse and criminal injuries compensation claims. Known for our personal and supportive approach, we will efficiently work the whole case for you, including gathering evidence and dealing with the IBCA, and usually can handle the claim on a no win, no fee basis.

In addition, as part of a full-service law firm, we can handle all legal matters in-house for you, from dealing with confirmation and probate matters for estate cases to protecting your compensation through PI trusts or arranging a referral for investment advice for you.

Press Coverage

In October 2025, our Personal Injury Solicitor, Jamie Lyons, was invited to speak with BBC Scotland to provide expert insight into a newly launched personal injury scheme.

Jamie discussed the legal implications and practical impact of the scheme, highlighting how it affects individuals seeking compensation and the broader issues we are seeing across the sector. His contribution reflected Thorntons’ commitment to supporting clients through complex legal processes with clarity, compassion, and expertise.

As one of Scotland’s leading personal injury teams, we’re proud to be part of the national conversation on improving access to justice and ensuring fair outcomes for those affected.

BBC Reporting Scotland | BBC Scotland