Victims seeking compensation for the contaminated blood scandal in the UK during the 1970’s and 1980’s have been successful in a High Court ruling allowing them the right to seek damages.
The Court has allowed for a group litigation order for around five hundred claimants to launch a class action.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, blood products supplied to patients by the NHS was contaminated with HIV or Hepatitis C. Just fewer than 5000 patients with haemophilia were infected and over 2,000 have since died as a consequence of the contamination. A small number of people with other types of bleeding disorders were also infected.
Those who were infected during this time continue to live with the adverse health effects of the viruses. Many of the victims’ lives have changed, from loss of career leading to a reduction of household income to the long-term impacts on relationships and mental health.
In July of this year [2017], Theresa May announced that there would be a public enquiry into the scandal. However since then families have become frustrated that the government have failed to appoint a chair for the inquiry, and no terms of reference have been agreed.
Consultations regarding the inquiry have been extended to 18 October 2017.
