Ben James, who was infected with HIV as a result of his treatment with blood products and had become involved in campaigning for compensation, wrote to the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher: "No monetary figure can justly be said to equal a life but to remove the financial burden from the victims and their dependents would go some way to enhance the remnants of their lives." Read more about Ben James, who was infected with HIV as a result of his treatment with blood products and had become involved in campaigning for compensation, wrote to the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher: "No monetary figure can justly be said to equal a life but to remove the financial burden from the victims and their dependents would go some way to enhance the remnants of their lives."
Whilst claimants experienced relief at the modest sums they received and their protection from costs liabilities, many considered the length of time taken from the beginning of the case to settlement of the claims was excessive and that, if the Government had intended to settle the claims, this could have been achieved in a much faster and less adversarial way. Read more about Whilst claimants experienced relief at the modest sums they received and their protection from costs liabilities, many considered the length of time taken from the beginning of the case to settlement of the claims was excessive and that, if the Government had intended to settle the claims, this could have been achieved in a much faster and less adversarial way.
A compilation of letters outlined rules around the litigation and plaintiffs. Read more about A compilation of letters outlined rules around the litigation and plaintiffs.
Some plaintiffs were not entitled to legal aid and were having to make financial contributions towards the costs of the litigation. Read more about Some plaintiffs were not entitled to legal aid and were having to make financial contributions towards the costs of the litigation.
Many plaintiffs felt that they had no choice but to accept the settlement offer and they felt that they had no choice but to sign the waiver. A widow recalled that her husband did not want to sign it but he did not think he could afford to fight on alone, either practically or financially. In the end he gave in. Read more about Many plaintiffs felt that they had no choice but to accept the settlement offer and they felt that they had no choice but to sign the waiver. A widow recalled that her husband did not want to sign it but he did not think he could afford to fight on alone, either practically or financially. In the end he gave in.
Plaintiffs in the litigation felt that they had no real choice but to accept the settlement. The wife of one of the plaintiffs explained that the Government announced a settlement payment in December 1990 and her husband attended a meeting in London with Mark Mildred of Pannone Napier to discuss the matter. HIV-infected people with haemophilia and all litigants, or at least a commanding majority, had to accept the offer, drop the litigation, and sign a waiver of rights. Read more about Plaintiffs in the litigation felt that they had no real choice but to accept the settlement. The wife of one of the plaintiffs explained that the Government announced a settlement payment in December 1990 and her husband attended a meeting in London with Mark Mildred of Pannone Napier to discuss the matter. HIV-infected people with haemophilia and all litigants, or at least a commanding majority, had to accept the offer, drop the litigation, and sign a waiver of rights.
The terms of reference of the Inquiry required it to consider the "appropriateness of preconditions (including the waiver in the HIV Haemophilia Litigation) imposed on the grant of support from the Trusts and Funds". Read more about The terms of reference of the Inquiry required it to consider the "appropriateness of preconditions (including the waiver in the HIV Haemophilia Litigation) imposed on the grant of support from the Trusts and Funds".
The increase in non-discretionary payments from £10,000 to £20,000 within an unchanged overall allocation of £20 million was confirmed by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Read more about The increase in non-discretionary payments from £10,000 to £20,000 within an unchanged overall allocation of £20 million was confirmed by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
A letter from Paul Gray to Andrew McKeon recorded that the Prime Minister had agreed to the proposal to allocate a further £20 million to the Macfarlane Trust. Read more about A letter from Paul Gray to Andrew McKeon recorded that the Prime Minister had agreed to the proposal to allocate a further £20 million to the Macfarlane Trust.
The Inquiry's Second Interim Report noted the Government had accepted that compensation should be paid and that there was a moral case to do so. Read more about The Inquiry's Second Interim Report noted the Government had accepted that compensation should be paid and that there was a moral case to do so.