Q Fever Compensation Claims

Q fever is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to Coxiella burnetii. These bacteria can be found on farm animals such as sheep and cattle and could be easily transmitted to people if proper precautions are not in place.

Certain jobs are most at risk of developing the illness, including vets, lab workers, farmers and members of the army and military serving in Afghanistan. Q fever can cause a wide range of symptoms, from flu-like cough and fever to life-threatening heart and brain inflammation. If you or a loved one suffered from this condition due to someone else’s negligence, you could be able to make a Q fever claim.

To find out if you are entitled to compensation, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back for a free consultation with a legal adviser.

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Table of Contents

• What is Q fever?
• What are the symptoms of Q fever?
• How does Q fever spread?
• What occupations are at risk of catching the disease?
• Am I eligible to make a Q fever claim?
• What evidence do I need to claim Q fever compensation?
• Time limits to start a Q fever claim
• How much compensation could I receive?
• Will I receive a No Win No Fee service?

What is Q fever?

Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It primarily affects farm animals such as sheep, cattle and goats but can also affect dogs and cats and be transmitted to humans. The Q stands for ‘query’ because nobody knew what caused it before its true nature was discovered in the 1930s.

Q fever develops after a person has inhaled endospores or has come into direct contact with semen, mucus, urine, milk or faeces of infected farm animals. In rare cases, drinking raw milk has also caused Q fever in humans. Even a single bacterium can lead to the disease.

Q fever is typically harmless, but it can cause severe symptoms and even be life-threatening for some people. The two types of Q fever are chronic and acute. Acute query fever is more common and less threatening and typically develops two to three weeks after exposure to the bacteria.

Chronic Q fever can develop months or years after the initial infection. It typically affects people with weakened immune systems, heart valve disease or blood vessel abnormalities. The chronic form of the disease can damage a person’s vital organs, such as the heart, liver or lungs and can be fatal.

What are the symptoms of Q fever?

The first symptoms of the illness typically begin to appear two to three weeks after exposure to Q fever. Some people may not even show any signs at all, and others may experience mild to severe symptoms that are usually flu-like. In the case of acute Q fever, these can vary a lot and may include:

• Clay-coloured stools and abdominal pain
• Chest pain when breathing
• Severe headache and sensitivity to light
• Jaundice
• Fever
• Dry cough and a sore throat
• Muscle and joint pains
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and weight loss
• Chills and sweating
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

In some cases, the bacteria can lead to complications like pneumonia, hepatitis, endocarditis or inflammation of the brain or its covering (encephalitis or meningitis). For about 20% of people, fatigue and other symptoms like muscle and joint pain can continue for months or years.

As mentioned above, some people may develop chronic Q fever, even if they do not show any signs at the time of exposure. This form of the disease typically affects the heart and blood vessels and has symptoms such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome and weight loss
• Swelling of the legs or feet
• Chills
• Prolonged low-grade fever
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath

Because the symptoms of Q fever are similar to many other diseases, it can be challenging to diagnose. Besides a physical examination, your doctor will likely order a blood test to look for antibodies to the Coxiella bacterium. If you test positive, acute Q fever is usually treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. The chronic form may require several months of antibiotic treatment, like doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine. After a person has recovered from the illness, they become immune for life and cannot get infected again.

How does Q fever spread?

Q fever is most commonly contracted through breathing in dust, mist or other airborne particles contaminated with the bacteria. You can also catch the disease by coming into contact with an infected animal through:

• Afterbirth (placenta)
• Blood
• Faeces
• Urine
• Fur and wool
• Hides

Some other, less common ways of contracting the illness include:

• Drinking the raw milk of an infected animal
• Getting bit by an infected tick
• The mother could transmit it to the child during birth or pregnancy
• Through blood transfusions

The disease is not usually contagious from one person to another, except for the cases when a mother transmits it to the unborn baby. Prevention is essential to avoid bacterial infection, and this can be done through:

• Disinfection and decontamination of exposed areas
• Washing your hands regularly
• Not eating or drinking unpasteurised dairy products
• Wearing protective clothing like masks and gloves when working with animals
• Testing animals routinely for infection and isolating the infected ones until recovery

Although the first successful Q fever vaccine was developed in the 1970s, no licensed vaccine is currently available in the UK.

What occupations are at risk of catching the disease?

Q fever is often associated with occupations that involve direct contact with animals, especially livestock. Certain occupations put workers at a greater risk of contracting this illness. Some of these include:

• Laboratory workers
• Veterinarians
• Sheep and dairy workers
• Farmers
• Meatpackers
• Abattoir workers
• Zookeepers
• Animal transporters

Members of the armed forces may also be at an increased risk of contracting the illness. For example, the disease is known to occur in dusty areas of Afghanistan, such as Helmand. The troops deployed here were at significant risk of coming into contact with airborne particles containing the bacteria.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other employers of people at risk have a legal duty to take all reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of their employees. They must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations 2002 and ensure that they:

• Carry out risk assessments to identify areas and activities in the workplace that may pose a risk of contracting Q fever;
• Provide education and training to employees about the risks of Q fever, the modes of transmission, and preventive measures;
• Supply and require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, and other protective clothing;
• Ensure that employees are trained in the correct use and disposal of PPE;
• Promote and enforce good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, especially after handling animals or animal products;

By addressing these considerations, employers can contribute to a safer workplace and reduce the risk of Q fever transmission. If they have failed to comply with the legislation and you were diagnosed with Q fever while serving in the armed forces, you may be able to make a military injury claim.

Am I eligible to make a Q fever claim?

A specialist personal injury solicitor can let you know whether you are eligible to make a Q fever compensation claim. Q fever may develop because of poor working conditions. If they can establish that it was due to your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

If you have a valid claim, your injury lawyer will handle your case on a no win no fee* basis and ensure you receive the maximum settlement award for your suffering and other related losses.

If you want to discuss the circumstances of your case with an experienced solicitor, call free on 0800 470 0474 today or complete our online claim form to request a call back.

What evidence do I need to claim Q fever compensation?

To make a successful Q fever claim, you will need relevant evidence to show that you contracted the illness due to someone else’s fault. Your solicitor will look over any proof you already have and help you get more evidence to secure a successful case. They could use any of the following:

• Your medical records detailing your diagnosis, treatment, and the progression of your illness;
• Laboratory test results confirming your diagnosis;
• Evidence of exposure to potential sources of Q fever, such as contact with animals or visits to areas known for outbreaks;
• Your employment records and work history that show any potential exposure to the bacteria;
• Photographs and other visual evidence of the environment where you believe you were exposed to Q fever;
• You should also be able to provide records of medical expenses and other financial losses related to your illness.

Your solicitor will consult with medical experts who can provide testimony regarding the cause of your infection and its impact on your health.

Time limits to start a Q fever claim

You generally have three years under the Limitation Act 1980 to start a claim if you suffered an injury or illness due to someone else’s negligence. In the case of Q fever, the claim limitation date will begin from when you were diagnosed with the condition, also known as the date of knowledge.

There are several exceptions to this three-year time limit, such as:

• If a child has developed the disease while visiting a farm due to someone else’s neglect, the three-year time limit begins on their 18th birthday. They will have until their 21st birthday to claim if no one took action on their behalf before turning 18.
• There is no time limit if the claimant cannot conduct legal proceedings due to complications from the disease or another condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A litigation friend could claim for them at any time.
• If you lost a loved one due to this illness, you have three years to claim after their death. Alternatively, the time limit may begin on the date a post-mortem has confirmed the cause of death.
• If you caught the disease as a soldier serving in the military, you have seven years to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

The sooner you seek legal advice, the better. That will help your solicitor gather all the necessary evidence and ensure you can file your claim within the relevant time limit.

How much compensation could I receive?

Each case is unique and will determine how much compensation you will receive if your claim is successful. The amount will be based on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms and any long-term effects. Your solicitor will consider two types of damages when calculating your compensation award:

General damages include the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the illness and could also cover:

• Loss of amenities, such as the ability to enjoy a hobby or social event
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reduced life expectancy

Special damages include all the financial losses and expenses related to the disease, such as:

• Private medical treatments
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Travel expenses to medical appointments
• Costs of care during recovery

Special damages are based on evidence, such as receipts and medical bills. General damages are calculated based on the guidelines from the Judicial College. You could receive:

• Around £1,500 for flu-like symptoms that only last a few weeks
• Over £30,000 for chronic cases that lead to further complications

Will I receive a No Win No Fee service?

If you are entitled to make a Q fever compensation claim, your solicitor will offer you a conditional fee agreement. Also known as no win no fee, this service allows you to have legal representation without paying any upfront fees. This way, you can start your claim regardless of your financial situation and without any risks.

If your case fails, you will not have to pay a single penny to anyone. Your solicitor will only receive a success fee from your compensation award if they secure a win. This fee can be up to 25% of your settlement, and it will be thoroughly discussed and agreed to from the beginning.

Your solicitor will also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance for you. This legal expenses insurance will cover all litigation costs if you lose, including court fees, medical reports and the defendant’s solicitors. You only pay the ATE premium if your case is successful.

If you would like to find out if you have a valid claim for Q fever compensation, please call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to arrange a call back. A friendly legal adviser will answer all your questions and guide you through every step of the claims process.

Last edited on 7th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.