The Lindsay Tribunal has said that the State has paid out nearly £200m so far in compensation to people infected with Hepatitis C and to their relatives. Over 1,300 people have received compensation since the Tribunal was established four years ago. The average payment to individuals is £145,000. According to the Department, the State expects to pay out nearly £400m in total compensation.
It emerged in February 1994 that the blood product, anti-D, which was manufactured by the Blood Transfusion Service, was contaminated with Hepatitis C. As time went on, it was estimated that some 1,600 people had been infected. The majority was women requiring the anti-D immunoglobulin during pregnancy. Others infected included haemophiliacs, people who were infected by a blood transfusion, and people with kidney problems.
A compensation tribunal for those infected, as well as their children or spouses, relatives, carers and dependants, was set up in March 1996. This tribunal, which is ongoing, has so far awarded almost £197m to 1,360 claimants. On average, legal costs per case settled are running to over £22,000. While some 130 haemophiliacs have taken cases to the Tribunal, a further 90 have yet to be heard. According to the Department of Health and Children, the State expects to pay out nearly £400 million in total compensation to those infected.
