Who Has Liability For My Personal Posessions That Were Destroyed By A Fire At Work

[IggyStardust]

Hi all, thanks for taking the time to read my question.
I was working for my employer for the past 6 months, until a fire broke out at my workplace, and it burnt to a shell.

Within my workplace I had my personal posessions which I had brought to work that day, as I did every other day.
Just the usual, i.e my rucksack which contained my 'out of work' clothes (I worked with food so got changed before every shift) My mobile phone, my watch, wallet and some fairly costly gym gear. (I used to hit the gym on my way home) amongst other bits & pieces of low value. I estimate the total value of the items to be around £400.

My question therefore, is, does my employer have a liaility to re-imburse me for my lost posessions. They have claimed on their insurance and have started to re-build, and infact part of their premises is re-open for business, however I have been laid off and have no income. I cannot afford to even replace my iphone and am currently using something that belongs in a museum.

I must state that I do not have reciepts for anything that was in my bag, I'm not a reciept keeper and never have been, however had I known I was going to be in this situation I would have kept reciepts, although I purchased my mobile phone second hand from a friend and didn't recieve a reciept in the first place. I simply wish for them to replace my phone & my gym gear, I'm not overally concerned about the rest.

Do I have a leg to stand on? If so, could somebody please reccommend the best course of action to take. I have time on my hands now, so it is something I would like to get sorted if possible.

[Peter Pedant]

Thank God for that soap numpty
and I see you've got a best answer

thx for the input and welcome !

Pp

[IggyStardust]

It may not be the best answer, however it is the answer that gives me the most hope! :) Although there is no law on my side, soapnumpty's answer suggests that there may well still a chance for me to be re-imbursed. Though the insurer could point blanc refuse to pay out on the basis that it would not be illegal to do so. We all know what they're like! ;)

[jomifl]

soap, is that per fire or per person?

[IggyStardust]

I would assume it would be per person. They're tight but not that tight! :)

[Peter Pedant]

sorry shouldnt that be per fire or per part of per person ?

shades of Albert and the Lion - sorry if the allusion sails over everyone's heads. Very grateful for accurate advice. thx

[jomifl]

I don't think you can reasonably claim for loss of anything you had at work that wasn't work related. You would have to claim for non work related losses off your own insurance.

[tamborine]

Without proof of purchase you cant make a claim. Ask the retailers/sellers to give you receipts to prove your case.

[DocHH]

Iggy, I am pleased to read that the fund has in fact helped individuals who have lost their livelihoods, rather than just the businesses for loss of earnings. However it is a shame if it has not also compensated you for loss of possessions.
Were you working for one of the "outlets" that will re-open this weekend? If you were, will the Pier's owners re-instate you as an employee? If they do not you might have a case for wrongful dismissal, but you would need to take more formal advice on that, viz CAB.
If your employment is not re-instated, I wish you good luck in finding suitable alternative employment.

[IggyStardust]

tamborine-Thanks
jomifl- Thanks
DocHH- I ran the burger bar in the blue room, where the Burger King used to be. Unfortunately I recieved my P45 a few weeks ago, as my workplace physically doesn't stand any more. The rest of the staff went back to work today to start the clean-up operation ready for the re-opening on Saturday. The owners of the pier were very clever in the way they employed people. All contracts were zero hours, and ran for 3 months at a time, after which they would be renewed for another 3 months. Again, no leg to stand on! It was just unfortunate that my contract was up for renewal the week after the fire. Thanks for your kind words, I have a few prospects on the horizon so it shouldn't be too long before I'm back working again. To be honest, had it not been for the fund & the good will of the local people I don't know what I would have done. It's not easy loosing your job over night, and to be frank, the management of the pier & the owners themselves don't seem to care one bit! Cheers again :)

[soapnumpty]

Your employers would need to submit the claim on behalf of you and the other employees. Failing that your employers could write to their insurers and give them permission to deal directly with you & the other employees and make payments to you. Without that letter any payments will go to the policyholder (your employer) & then you've got to wait for them to pass the money on. Maybe you could speak to some of the other employees & see if they are in the same situation as you, & then contact your employers together.

Also I know you said you don't have contents insurance as you rent. I would really encourage you to get some. What would you do if you lost all your belongings such as clothes & jewellery?

[DocHH]

Iggy,
I was made redundant twice in my working life. I will admit that I was in what could be described as "professional positions", but that also limited my options, but each time resulted in a beneficial change. I will also admit that the current employment climate is different. As hard as it may be, please try and consider this rather unfortunate incident as an opportunity rather than a set-back.

I would agree with other posts about contents insurance. As soon as you are in a position to do so, insure them even if you are in rented accommodation. That may have well covered your loss in the pier fire, under damage to contents away from home. There are numerous web-based insurance comparison sites, I have used confused.com and have been pleasantly surprised at the quite low premiums for a sum of £50,000.00 insured, circa £100.00. Alternatively talk to Swinton who have an office at 213 Seaside, opposite the recreational ground, 644133. I will add I have absolutely no connection to them, just offering advice.
Good luck for the future.