Families of people who died as a result of the infected blood scandal can now apply for an interim £100,000 ahead of a more comprehensive compensation scheme, the government has announced. However, a solicitor supporting more than 1,500 victims said today’s announcement ‘belies the fiendishly complicated system’ victims and their families will now encounter.
In an announcement today, the Cabinet Office and Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) urged personal representatives of a deceased person’s estate, including parents, siblings and children, to apply for the interim payment.
They said the interim payment delivers on the Infected Blood Inquiry's recommendation of an interim £100,000 to recognise the deaths of people who, to date, have not been recognised.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: ‘I hope that today is seen as another important milestone for victims and campaigners who have waited far too long for justice.
'We are committed to acting on the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry and these payments are an important step forward in providing substantial compensation to the families of victims of infected blood. No amount of compensation can fully address the suffering as a result of this scandal, but we are doing everything possible to deliver life-changing sums to people infected and affected.’
However, writing in the Gazette today, solicitor Des Collins, legal adviser to more than 1,500 victims, believes affected clients 'will go from elation to bitter disappointment when they realise the practical steps involved'.
For instance, applications will only be accepted if the personal representative of an estate already has probate or letter of administration. But Collins pointed out they will need legal support to ‘navigate the complexities of probate’ and he criticised the lack of clarity on whether and how independent legal and financial assistance will be provided.
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