British victims of terrorism abroad fear they will not receive government compensation
14 December 2005
Proposed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
fail to help British citizens injured or killed by terrorist acts
whilst abroad. Mickey Aspinall and Toni Punshon are members
of a family who were all victims of the terrorist bombing in a
holiday resort in Turkey in July this year. They have
received no compensation for their injuries.
The family who are being represented by Jill Greenfield,
personal
injury lawyer at Field Fisher Waterhouse, were travelling in
the minibus in which the bomb went off. One member of the
family was killed, the rest of the family (another five) have
suffered serious injuries. One member of the family alone has
suffered a fractured skull, serious leg injuries, damage to his
eye, major bowel damage, a burst ear drum and a serious hand
injury.
He requires extensive surgery and treatment and it is unknown
whether or not he will return to his work in a factory. The rest of
the extended family have also suffered terrible injuries including
one child who has suffered hearing damage and must now wait for at
least six months before hearing aids will be made available.
Despite the severity of their injuries, the family have been
given no financial support from the government or their insurers.
They fall outside the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and
their insurers have used an exclusion clause to avoid payment. The
family risk losing their home and face a bleak Christmas.
Jill
Greenfield has contacted the government asking for financial
help for the family. Whilst Tony Blair indicated on 19 October that
the government were looking into a scheme to assist the victims of
terrorism abroad, none has been forthcoming.
Jill
Greenfield said: “These people were targets of terrorism by
virtue of their British citizenship. It is wrong that the damages
from this should be borne by the individual. The knowledge that
there is no financial safety net for such victims serves the
terrorist aims and adds to the general fear caused by
terrorism.”
For further press information please contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive on +44 (0)20 7861 4120
Jill Greenfield, partner on +44 (0)20 7861 4557 or 07958
390777