CARE, ADVICE & SUPPORT

If you have experienced medical negligence, a personal injury (which includes an accident at work or occupational disease), or are undergoing an employment dispute (at pre or tribunal stage), then as a member you have access to the expert help of our appointed solicitors to make a legal claim.*

Receiving help to make a claim through the Oddfellows' Legal Aid Scheme is a benefit of membership from day one. However, please note that your accident, incident or issue must not have happened before the start of your membership. Family members can also apply for help from the scheme for personal injury and medical negligence cases, but not for employment matters.

For personal injury and medical negligence cases, you will not have to pay anything for your claim to be investigated, but there may be some deductions from any compensation awarded towards the legal and insurance costs.

Employment dispute claims
Initial advice regarding employment issues is provided through the Oddfellows Citizens Advice Line. If your case reaches the stage where specialist employment advice and representation at a Tribunal is requested, it will be referred to the Society's appointed solicitor.

The costs for the preparation of your case and representation at an Appeal Tribunal are covered. However, the Society may recover up to one third of any compensation awarded towards the legal costs, if your case is successful. 

How to apply for help through the Legal Aid Scheme
For a confidential discussion and to receive an application form, please call the Care & Welfare Helpline. You can access the member-only helpline's 0800 number by signing in to the Member’s Area. Alternatively, you can contact your Branch Secretary, call our Membership team or refer to your Member Handbook.

Completed application forms will be sent to our solicitors to assess claim suitability under the scheme and they may contact you for further information.

Our specialist solicitors will support you throughout your claim. Our scheme should not be confused with the government's Legal Aid Scheme.

Not yet and Oddfellows member? The Legal Aid Scheme is just one of the many benefits of Oddfellows membership. Discover ways in which we can help you get even more out of life.

*Terms and conditions apply to all financial benefits. All Oddfellows benefits are non-contractual and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Read the full list of member benefit terms and conditions.