Making a Synlab compensation claim
We look at the scandal surrounding Synlab Laboratory Services Limited and offer guidance to those wishing to make a Synlab compensation claim.
The National Police Chief’s Council has reported that police forces are witnessing a significant rise in drivers being investigated for consuming drugs. In 2022, the NPCC revealed that 6,273 individuals had been stopped and undertaken a drug swipe procedure on the roadside. Just over half of these, 3,361 (53.6%) were found to have given a positive sample for driving whilst over the prescribed limit of a controlled drug.
When a sample is taken, it is sent to a laboratory for forensic analysis. A report is then produced, confirming whether there has been a positive indication of drugs and if so, to what extent. Many of these samples are sent to Synlab Laboratory Services Limited.
It has been identified that 4,255 samples were sent to the Synlab laboratory between April 2019 and December 2020 and of these, 1,778 produced a positive result. However, in December 2020, the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) became aware of issues within Synlab. The samples analysed during this period suffered with quality assurance issues, meaning the positive results cannot be relied upon and must be withdrawn as evidential material.
However, before this became known, a number of people had already attended court and been convicted for drug driving offences. This has subsequently led to people losing their driving licences, their jobs, their income, loved ones and more. It has also caused individuals financial hardship though fines, loss of income, and high insurance premiums. Due to the laboratory’s failings the convictions arising from the 1,778 samples have been rescinded.
If you have been affected by this, you should have received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or will receive one shortly. You may have been stopped by the police slightly prior to April 2019, however due to the time which it takes for the laboratory to receive the samples, you may still be affected by this issue.
If you have been affected then please contact our free legal helpline for guidance on making a no win, no fee Synlab compensation claim.
Call 0333 888 0419 or email us [email protected]