MEDIA RELEASE 24 January 2022
FORMER TRELOARS PUPILS SEEK GROUP LITIGATION ORDER AGAINST SCHOOL
Gary James Webster & Others vs Treloar’s Trust filed at London’s High Court
A group of 36 claimants advised by Collins Solicitors have lodged an application for a Group Litigation Order against Lord Mayor Treloar School (“Treloar’s”) in Alton, Hampshire in connection with the infected blood scandal.
The claimants comprise infected former pupils and/or the Personal Representatives of the deceased, seeking damages from Treloar’s for an alleged failure of its duty of care to its pupils with haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s.
Since then over 72 Treloar’s pupils have died after having been infected with Hep A, B & C and/or HIV as a result of receiving contaminated factor VIII* and IX whilst being treated at the school for their haemophilia. Many have suffered life-long ill-health and other life-affecting consequences. Pupils suffered physical, psychological and psychiatric harm arising from the haemophilia treatment provided to them without their informed consent (or that of their parents) whilst under the school’s care. The treatment risks were not explained.
Collins Solicitors is believed to be the only English firm currently advising former pupils on the legal remedies potentially available to them.
Des Collins, Senior Partner, Collins Solicitors said:
“We are bringing this action following new evidence heard last year at the Infected Blood Inquiry. The extraordinary testimonies of Treloar’s former headmaster, house master, care staff and clinicians at the hospital attached to the school made clear a total abrogation of responsibility which has had immense repercussions for my clients.
“The harrowing stories from surviving pupils describing their suffering over the decades makes for deeply uncomfortable listening. Where were even the most basic of safeguards for these children when they were pumped full of blood products of clearly dubious origin? The school was acting in loco parentis, yet failed in its basic duty of care to these already vulnerable boys. We are determined that they receive recognition and due recompense for the trauma they and their families have suffered over decades, if they were fortunate enough to survive. This treatment tragedy must be exposed so that nothing like it can ever be allowed to happen again.”
Gary Webster (56), the proposed lead claimant, said:
“Why didn’t our headmaster or other teachers want to know what was being injected into pupils in their care at the time? No one at the school seemed to show the slightest curiosity over what treatment was being prescribed to us young kids nor, I now know, did they seek parental permission. It beggars belief. We have witnessed the deaths of so many friends while experiencing truly awful life-affecting consequences as a result of unnecessarily contracting these illnesses, is really difficult to comprehend and accept. We hope that by bringing this case such trauma can never happen to anyone else.”
ENDS
For further information, more photos (two attached) and interviews with some of the potential claimants – Gary Webster (based in Hampshire), Steve Nicholls (based in Surrey), Richard Warwick (based in Yorkshire) and Adrian Goodyear (based in Hampshire), or to speak to their lawyers at Collins Solicitors please contact:
To speak to Des Collins or Gary Webster about this proposed legal action, please contact:
Bell Yard Communications 020 7936 2021 BellYard@bell-yard.com
Melanie Riley: melanie@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07775 591244
Louise Beeson: louise@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07768 956997
Declan Flahive: declan@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07944 629485
Notes to Editors
*Haemophiliac pupils at Treloar’s were treated with Factor VIII and Factor IX concentrate. This was created from pooled plasma from up to 60,000 donors, much of which was imported from commercial entities overseas, yet crucially was not heat treated, which would have diminished the risk of contamination from viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.
The Infected Blood Inquiry (IBI) continues its hearings into the circumstances in which people were given infected blood products by the NHS in the ‘70s and beyond, resulting in the largest treatment scandal in British history. The Inquiry Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff, is due to report his findings and recommendations in 2023.
Alongside, but separate to, the Inquiry, in May 2021 the then Paymaster General appointed Sir Robert Francis QC to undertake a study to consider the framework for a compensation agreement for individuals, and potentially their families, affected by infected blood. Sir Robert is due to report his findings to government no later than Monday 14th March 2022.
Were the High Court to grant permission for a Group Litigation Order against Treloar’s, it would represent a distinct and separate action arising from an alleged breach of duty by the school. Successful claimants would not be entitled to receive duplicate compensation for their losses from any statutory scheme (if recommended by Sir Robert and enacted by Government) as well as Treloar’s school, but any damages awarded to Treloar’s pupils as a result of the GLO would be assessed by the High Court on their own merit.
Collins Solicitors was appointed Lead Solicitor in the group action representing all potential claimants who had received Factor VIII and FIX (not just former Treloars pupils and their families) against the Secretary of State for Health, which is currently stayed pending the outcome of the IBI.
