British victims of terrorism abroad campaign for government compensation
13 March 2006
Victims of the 2005 bombings in a Turkish holiday resort will
tonight appear on BBC One’s Real Story programme as part of their
fight to push the government to compensate British citizens injured
or killed by terrorist acts whilst abroad. Mickey Aspinall and
Toni Punshon are members of a family who were all seriously injured
in the terrorist bombing in Turkey. Like other British victims
of terrorism abroad, they have received no compensation for their
injuries.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) does not
compensate these victims and the government’s current review
suggests this will not change. The family are being
represented by Jill
Greenfield, personal injury
solicitor at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and alongside victims of
the bombings in Egypt and Bali, have responded to the government’s
review of CICS. They are pushing to be included in the scheme
and expect a response from the Government by the summer.
The victims of the Turkish bombing 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
several 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 and they fall
outside the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The family risk
losing their home and bills are mounting up.
Personal
injury claims solicitor, Jill Greenfield said:
“My clients have financial needs that must be met now. 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:
Jill Greenfield +44 (0)20 7861 4000 or
Louise Eckersley +44 (0)20 7861 4120