Burnley grandma Julie Jones and her husband Alan were left feeling "frantic" after having just one week to pay £8,000. "How do you gather that kind of money? The whole thing for Alan and I is all-consuming. You can't think of anything else. It's horrible." Alan (72) signed up with SSB Law after being told the cavity wall insulation had caused £65,000 worth of damage to their home. Julie, who is 60, added: "It was phenomenal. We couldn't afford that kind of money. We had no other option. And Alan is asthmatic, so that's another reason we wanted to keep on top of the damp." But the couple were later informed they did not have a case as a second survey claimed there was a lack of damage as they approached the court date. And then came the £8,000 bill. "It's so scary. And there's the embarrassment: what would people think if we had the bailiffs round?"Burnley grandma Julie Jones and her husband Alan were left feeling "frantic" after having just one week to pay £8,000. "How do you gather that kind of money? The whole thing for Alan and I is all-consuming. You can't think of anything else. It's horrible." Alan (72) signed up with SSB Law after being told the cavity wall insulation had caused £65,000 worth of damage to their home. Julie, who is 60, added: "It was phenomenal. We couldn't afford that kind of money. We had no other option. And Alan is asthmatic, so that's another reason we wanted to keep on top of the damp." But the couple were later informed they did not have a case as a second survey claimed there was a lack of damage as they approached the court date. And then came the £8,000 bill. "It's so scary. And there's the embarrassment: what would people think if we had the bailiffs round?"
Burnley grandma Julie Jones and her husband Alan were left feeling "frantic" after having just one week to pay £8,000. "How do you gather that kind of money? The whole thing for Alan and I is all-consuming. You can't think of anything else. It's horrible." Alan (72) signed up with SSB Law after being told the cavity wall insulation had caused £65,000 worth of damage to their home. Julie, who is 60, added: "It was phenomenal. We couldn't afford that kind of money. We had no other option. And Alan is asthmatic, so that's another reason we wanted to keep on top of the damp." But the couple were later informed they did not have a case as a second survey claimed there was a lack of damage as they approached the court date. And then came the £8,000 bill. "It's so scary. And there's the embarrassment: what would people think if we had the bailiffs round?"

Seven Burnley people chased for thousands over no-win, no-fee cavity wall insulation claims following SSB Law collapse reveal their fears and distress

Seven Burnley people have spoken of their distress at being chased for thousands over no-win, no-fee cavity wall claims.
By Laura Longworth
Published 22nd Feb 2024, 14:38 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2024, 09:24 BST

The residents face the bailiffs and huge legal bills after signing with SSB Law, which has now gone bust, for compensation claims over defective cavity wall insulation. This is despite assurances throughout that they would not pay a penny.

See their stories below as they reveal how the financial strain has impacted them:

Burnley support worker Rose, who suffers from OCD and depression, says she has not received a CCJ but is "constantly worrying" after reading about the plight of others. Her husband, who has limited English, decided to pursue compensation to eradicate the mould and damp caused by the botched cavity wall insulation, as the couple's son has asthma and eczema. Rose, who also has asthma, said: "My anxiety levels are high already as we have so much else going on in our family, and then this happened. I look after my mum and sister, so I'm already depressed. And I'm already at a disadvantage because I have children with health conditions and additional needs. I'm constantly worrying [about receiving a CCJ]. It's awful." Credit: stock photo of a distressed woman by Adobe Stock

5. Burnley mum with asthma and depression - 'I'm constantly worrying'

Burnley support worker Rose, who suffers from OCD and depression, says she has not received a CCJ but is "constantly worrying" after reading about the plight of others. Her husband, who has limited English, decided to pursue compensation to eradicate the mould and damp caused by the botched cavity wall insulation, as the couple's son has asthma and eczema. Rose, who also has asthma, said: "My anxiety levels are high already as we have so much else going on in our family, and then this happened. I look after my mum and sister, so I'm already depressed. And I'm already at a disadvantage because I have children with health conditions and additional needs. I'm constantly worrying [about receiving a CCJ]. It's awful." Credit: stock photo of a distressed woman by Adobe Stock Photo: Stock

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An 83-year-old Burnley woman suffers from sleepless nights over a £6,700 bill, says her son. She signed up for the claim at a time when her partner was showing early signs of dementia. "My mum's not sleeping. She's distressed and upset. She might have to sell her house to pay the money." Credit: stock photo by Dean Atkins

6. Elderly Burnley woman - 'She might have to sell her house to pay the money'

An 83-year-old Burnley woman suffers from sleepless nights over a £6,700 bill, says her son. She signed up for the claim at a time when her partner was showing early signs of dementia. "My mum's not sleeping. She's distressed and upset. She might have to sell her house to pay the money." Credit: stock photo by Dean Atkins Photo: DEAN ATKINS

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John Black, a 63-year-old mechanic from Burnley on long-term sickness, received a letter demanding £9,800. He says the financial worry has put his family under additional pressure as he deals with health problems, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery for cancer, and with his son having learning difficulties. "I'm in limbo. I'm trying to shoulder the anxiety for my wife but I have suffered invisible consequences. People don't know what's going on in your head. It's hard to deal with a letter coming through because of what I'm already dealing with. It's extra pressure you can do without. "I can't plan anything with this anchor around my neck. What annoyed me is that SSB Law said not to destroy any evidence of the damage, so I've not done any work to the house. It's got us down as a family. SSB Law has dropped me like a stone, and that's unforgivable." Stock photo of a cold-caller by Adobe Stock

7. John Black - 'I have suffered invisible consequences'

John Black, a 63-year-old mechanic from Burnley on long-term sickness, received a letter demanding £9,800. He says the financial worry has put his family under additional pressure as he deals with health problems, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery for cancer, and with his son having learning difficulties. "I'm in limbo. I'm trying to shoulder the anxiety for my wife but I have suffered invisible consequences. People don't know what's going on in your head. It's hard to deal with a letter coming through because of what I'm already dealing with. It's extra pressure you can do without. "I can't plan anything with this anchor around my neck. What annoyed me is that SSB Law said not to destroy any evidence of the damage, so I've not done any work to the house. It's got us down as a family. SSB Law has dropped me like a stone, and that's unforgivable." Stock photo of a cold-caller by Adobe Stock Photo: Abobe Stock

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