PAYBACK TIME - Wednesday, October 25 2006
Oil depot bosses have at last offered to pay damages expected to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds to people injured in the Buncefield blast.
In what has been described as a 'huge step forward' following months of legal pressure, Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) has agreed to pay personal injury claims.
HOSL is not admitting liability for the explosion but the offer to settle claims is a breakthrough for those who suffered physical or psychological harm in the disaster.
The company is not prepared to say how much cash will be involved, but lawyers predict the sum will be in six figures.
The bulk of the claims are for psychological harm but there are cases involving loss of hearing and breathing difficulties.
The move comes ahead of next Monday's High Court hearing when the battle for full compensation for businesses and residents caught in the blast will again hit the headlines.
Solicitor Des Collins is representing around 260 people in a group action against HOSL and of these about 100 have personal injury claims.
Mr Collins said of this 100 around one quarter had claims that would not be more than £10,000, but some would 'go up at the top end to six figures'.
"Up until now HOSL were saying 'don't look at us' and now they are saying 'we still don't know whose fault it is but we are going to pay all personal injury claims'," he said.
"It's a huge step forward.
"We act for the majority of residents and the injured, but there are a good number out there represented by other solicitors and you have to add them in as well.
"You are certainly looking at hundreds of thousands of pounds."
It has been almost a year since the Buncefield blast, but many are still suffering with damaged homes and lasting psychological effects.
Numerous reports have been published by the inquiry board set up to investigate the disaster, but no one has yet claimed responsibility for it.
A total of 3,408 claims have been made against HOSL by businesses and individuals for things like loss of profits and damage to homes and contents.
It is thought around 2,000 claims are for sums of less than £5,000, but one from a neighbouring business amounts to £100 million.
Out of the total there are currently 161 personal injury claims.
Ford Shackcloth and his partner Lyn Presence and 10-year-old step-daughter Gabrielle are seeking counselling because of Buncefield.
"We've had flashbacks. We've gone into certain areas and things do come back to you and you think 'crikey'," he said.
"We're going for psychiatric counselling over the next month or so.
"That is specialist help. That's something we will have to go through and reclaim. These things don't go away."
Mr Shackcloth estimates the disaster has also wiped around £200,000 off the value of his home in Lily Lane, which was damaged badly by the blast.
He is trying to sell up but there have not been any offers in the six months it has been on the market.
Loss of value to homes will be among the issues raised at Monday's court hearing.
HOSL said it was offering a rehabilitation service for those suffering physical or psychological injuries and so far 33 people had taken advantage of it.
Concerning personal injury claims the company said: "This announcement is part of HOSL's ongoing commitment to progress, the resolution of all claims in a pragmatic and sensitive manner, particularly with individuals who may have suffered harm as a result of the incident.
"Although legal liability for the incident has still not been established, HOSL is actively exploring ways in which all other non-personal injury claims can also be settled without admission of liability." |
