Children
A child is eligible for compensation if one or both of the parents was infected.
This also applies if the child was adopted, a stepchild or if the infected person was acting as a parent - for example, a grandparent.
The infected parent must have provided care on a regular basis for at least a year before the child turned 18, regardless of whether they were infected at that time or not.
If the parent was not caring for the child for at least 1 year while under the age of 18 but they would have done had it not been for the infection, the estate can still get compensation. For example, if the child died or had to move out of the family home for care as a result of their infection.
If the parent was infected when the claimant was a child
| Award category | Compensation amount |
|---|---|
| Injury, if the parent had chronic Hepatitis B or C | £20,000 set amount |
| Injury, if the parent had HIV or a more severe level of Hepatitis B or C | £40,400 set amount |
| Social impact | £12,000 set amount |
| Autonomy | £6,600 set amount |
Financial loss
The amounts are worked out up to the date the affected person died, if that is earlier than the end point shown in the table.
Financial loss, if one parent died
| For each year the parent would have been of working age, from the year after the infected person died up to when the child turned 18 | £5,561 |
| For each year the parent would have been retired (66 and over), up to when the child turned 18 | £2,780.50 |
| For each year the parent would have been of working age, up to when the child turned 18 | £5,561 |
Financial loss, if both parents died
All of these apply up to the year the child would have turned 18.
| For each year both parents would have been of working age | £22,243 |
| For each year one parent would have been of working age and the other retired (66 and over) | £16,682.25 |
| For each year both parents would have been retired | £11,121.50 |
If the parent was infected when the claimant was an adult
| Award category | Compensation amount |
|---|---|
| Injury, if the parent had chronic Hepatitis B or C | £20,000 set amount |
| Injury, if the parent had HIV or a more severe level of Hepatitis B or C | £22,000 set amount |
| Social impact | £8,000 set amount |
A disabled child who was financially dependent on a parent that has died may get more compensation for financial loss through the supplementary route. This is because, as a disabled person, the child may have expected to be financially dependent on the parents after turning 18.
Supporting documents
We typically need documents to show that the person who died:
- was the infected person’s biological child, adopted child or stepchild
- lived together for at least 12 continuous months before they were 18
We may also ask for documents showing the amount of any past compensation or damages they received relating to infected blood in the UK or abroad.
Examples of supporting documents
There is a range of documents and other supporting information you can send to your claim manager, including records like a birth or adoption certificate.
You can also use records to show when and where the child and the infected person lived together. For example, school or GP records listing them as the parent, custody agreements or child benefit entitlement documents.
If the person who died was a stepchild of the infected person, you’ll need to show they were part of the same family. For example, a marriage certificate or documents that show they lived with the other parent.
Talk to your claim manager about any documents you have that you think may help.