Many thanks for the above replies. I fully intend to see the case through and claim what is rightfully mine. I just want to ensure I actually have a case first

Hi would really appreciate some advice before taking action against DHL. On Friday I expected delivery to a DHL service point (access self storage Birmingham) for 2 parcels from China, total value of £850. The sender in China has only covered them for $100 and it is impossible to gain compensation from them. The tracking shows the parcels delivered to the access point, however when I went to collect them, the reception staff were not aware of any parcel delivery and the signature does not match the name of any of the staff. After speaking to DHL depot staff it became clear that the agency driver they used had indeed dropped off the parcel but given it to someone who said "they work there". It would seem this person was posing as a member of staff in order to steal the parcel. is there anyway I can claim against DHL for the value of the parcel? Any advice would be greatly appreciated Many thanks

ouch! I will post any further update, your help is appreciated

Yes they have already mentioned mental distress. They have sent pics of the exploded charger and trading standards have ended their investigation. Trading standards only got involved to give guidelines on the safety requirements and gave me some good advice. It is almost a year now since the incident and after writing to me a few times the solicitors say they are now about to file a case.

Thank you and everybody else for the useful information. So what would be the likely outcome of a court case, ie payout or settlement. They claim they suffered dizziness from the shock, had to call an ambulance and had to Stay off work 3 weeks. Although there is no actual physical injury. The firm representing say they will seek to recover costs for medical tests and testing of the charger. What sort of figures are we looking at and would it be wise to settle before going to court? Is there any defence I could have in this case?

I am a VAT registered sole trader

No i have no liability insurance. I was only operating as a small sideline working from home but in hindsight I know now it still would have been worthwhiLe!

Unfortunately I do not have business insurance and neither were any tests taken out on the chargers other than checking each one worked. I also sell a number of used items online, does this also mean that for every electrical item that fails the seller is liable?

I don't know. They were part of a job lot of many other items. My main concern is how I go about defending this claim and where I stand rather than questioning the responsibility of the sellers of the chargers. As we all know a charger can explode whether it is genuine or not.My concern is am I liable here and can it be proven in a court?

Unfortunately I do not have recipiepts for.the charger. The phones I sell usually come with eu chargers but I came accross a large quantity of blackberry chargers with a job lot purchased at a police auction. This stock comes from high street retailers and both the packaging and product gave no reason for me to believe they were not legitimate and safe.

thank you

Correction, this was sold on amazon. Amazon refunded the buyer with no money deducted from myself and the buyer accepted and kept the item. I did receive a visit from trading standards who I advised the charger was genuine, not an importa, and not counterfeit as claimed. Trading standards currently have the charger.

Hi Last year I sold a mobile phone on ebay which was imported from China, I sell these as part of my business. The charger of the phone however is a ce approved charger purchased in the UK The buyer claims the charger exploded causing personal injury. They have instructed a solicitor who are currently in the process of gathering evidence and are going to proceed with a county court claim. I am surprised by this allegation because I have supplied a safety approved item and the fact also remains the charger used could be any charger. I have not yet instructed a solicitor, any advice would be welcome Many thanks

I certainly do! Is the judge likely to accept the set aside?

Thanks for the advice so far. The reason I did not attend was because the law states that all evidence should be submitted to the defendant at least 14 days before the case. As no case was presented to me and no evidence received I did not think I had to attend. Obviously I now regret not attending. I do have good evidence and the landlord has no case so I cant see why the judge awarded and can only addume it was a default judgement. The fact that the judge has already issued a order for the landlord to pay me £375 x 2 before the counter claim (which the order has still not been paid to me) makes the decision even more rediculous.