Legal aid for terror victims

By JO THORNHILL
Updated:

 

BRITISH victims of the September 11 attacks look set to be able to pursue compensation claims free of charge through US legal firms and some UK solicitors, thanks to a new initiative launched today.

The Trial Lawyers Care Initiative, unveiled by the US government, means that lawyers will waive their fees in claims arising from the terrorist attacks on America.

In the US if you bring a legal case you must pay your own costs, unlike in the UK, where the loser of a legal case pays the winner's fees.

The initiaitive was designed to make sure victims could receive the whole of their claim. However, at present, Collins Solicitors in Watford is the only UK firm taking part. It is expected that others will join in the coming weeks.

Collins has agreed to deal with claims within 120 days of submission, which Des Collins, senior partner at the firm, is expecting to range from fatality through to minor injuries.

'I see our role as liaising in this country between New York trial lawyers and English clients,' said Mr Collins. 'If nothing else, we can be a point of contact in this country for people who want to make claims following the US tragedy,' he says.

Mr Collins admits he doesn't know what volume of claims to expect but imagines it will be upwards of one hundred.

'Claims for personal injury damages are different over here from in the UK. In the US victims of personal injury damages can be awarded a lot more,' he said. 'We expect this to run into millions or even billions of dollars overall.'

Mr Collins added that the complexity of claims would be reduced, and the processing of claims speeded up, as his firm would not be involved in assessing liability, but rather just how much a client should be awarded based on their injuries.

Victims and their relatives can contact Collins solicitors on 01923 223324.

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