The announcement at the outset of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget setting aside £11.8 billion for victims of the scandal will have served as welcome news to anyone impacted by the scandal.
Following that, the IBCA have restricted the processing of initial claims under their developing scheme to a “small group of people.” They have confirmed it is their intention to reach 250 claims by “early 2025.”
This initial group of claims will assist in the development of the full scheme. Whilst it is not clear how the group is selected, it can be assumed they are victims who were already registered under one of the existing infected blood support schemes. If someone was not previously registered, the IBCA will require proof of infection as a result of the scandal.
The IBCA are advising that starting with a small-scale pilot group allows them to refine the service before opening it to all victims (both infected and affected). The general idea being to ensure claims are handled as efficiently as possible when the full scheme is in operation.
Helpfully, the IBCA regularly seeks feedback and consults with interested parties. They are keen to make things easier for all applicants when the full scheme goes live.
Interim Payments
Applications are now open for the first interim payment of £100,000 to estates following the death of a loved one. If an infected victim, their bereaved spouse/partner or estate has already received an interim payment, the estate cannot apply for a further interim payment.
To be considered, you must provide details about yourself and the person who died, including their:
- Full name
- Date of birth and the date they died
- Last known address
- Infected blood support scheme or alliance house organisation scheme number, if known
You’ll also need to include:
- Proof of your identity by providing a certified copy of your passport or driving licence
- 2 documents proving your address, for example a bank statement or utility bill issued in the last 6 months
- A certified copy of the grant of confirmation (known as probate in England and Wales)
That means anyone who has yet to go through the confirmation process will need to do that. The IBCA have confirmed they will consider applications to reimburse the legal costs involved up to the sum of £1,500.
Our Part
As a full service law firm, our Private Client team can help you apply for and obtain confirmation from the court and our Personal Injury team can take instructions to progress any claims under the scheme or through the courts.
Victims and their families should seek legal advice to ensure they get what they are entitled to under the scheme. Accepting an award doesn’t exclude further litigation and some who are deemed ineligible for an award under the scheme may still be able to claim through the courts. We can ease the burden on those who have already suffered by undertaking the process on their behalf.
If you, or anyone you know, is affected by the scandal, please do not hesitate to contact Jamie Lyons in our specialist Personal Injury team for a no-obligation discussion.
