Martin Hanna, NI representative of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and partner in Francis Hanna &Co Solicitors spoke on Radio Ulster about the disparity between bereavement damages available to those who have been bereaved in NI compared to those in England & Wales.
Hear what Martin had to say below.
Also, read our LifeBite article on this topical issue here
Compensation for families whose loved ones have been needlessly killed in Northern Ireland is ‘wretchedly inadequate’, say lawyers as they urge for the level of payment to bereaved families to be increased.
On Monday 5th October 2015, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a consultation about whether the level of bereavement damages, which currently stands at £11,800, should be increased.
Martin Hanna, NI representative of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and partner in Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors says:-
“Bereft families deserve better from the justice system when their loved ones’ deaths could and should have been avoided. As it stands, the payment is wretchedly inaccurate, so we welcome any progress on rectifying this”.
“Bereavement damages in the UK are a lottery based on where the death happens. The level of payment is at its lowest in Northern Ireland at £11,800, and is nearly £1,200 more in England and Wales. In Scotland, the system is much fairer, with each case judged and evaluated on its own merits.”
The DOJ consultation paper says that any increase in the payment should either bring Northern Ireland in line with England and Wales at £12,980, or with the level of inflation, estimated at £14,339.
Mr Hanna added:
“No amount of money can ever replace a loved one, but bereavement damages do at least acknowledge that a death has been caused needlessly. This issue with the level of payment is not about replacing what is lost, but about looking after those left behind,”
The DOJ consultation closes on 30 November 2015
If you would like to learn more about the consultation paper, it can be found at http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/public-consultations/current-consultations/bereavement-damages-consultation.pdf
The car company Volkswagen has hit the news over the past number of days after admitting that 11 million of their diesel vehicles worldwide were fitted with defeat devices to cheat emissions tests and that all of these vehicles are likely to require a technical fix.
It has now been revealed by VW that almost 1.2 million vehicles in the UK are involved in this scandal.
VW have indicated that the diesel vehicles affected include Volkswagen cars, Audis, Seats, Skodas and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.
Whilst VW have confirmed that they will be making contact with customers and have provided assurance that all vehicles are technically safe, this latest revelation may cause concern and worry to many VW drivers in the UK.
Jennifer Young of Francis Hanna & Co says that the effect of the VW scandal could see a direct impact to Northern Irish drivers if the devices once removed from the affected vehicles result in these vehicles breaking emissions rules.
Ms Young has pointed out that if the vehicles once rectified produce higher emissions, this could result in drivers having to pay more road tax and other levies, which would result in a direct loss.
In addition, it remains to be seen whether the performance of the vehicles will be affected, not to mention a potential loss in resale value.
Ms Young states:-
‘We have had direct contact from one worried Volkswagon Golf owner who is charged for parking at work and is concerned that her parking charges, which are linked to her vehicle emissions, will rise if her car is affected. She said that this is an example of one of the many concerns that they have been asked about to date’.
In addition, Ms Young says that anyone who specifically purchased their vehicle with low emissions in mind and who may have paid extra in the belief that this is what they were purchasing, have been the victims of a misrepresentation and would therefore be entitled to be compensated in this regard.
‘What is clear is that many Northern Irish drivers are likely to be affected by this scandal in a number of ways and they are keen to know more as soon as possible,’ says Ms Young.
If you need any information on this topic, please feel free to contact us below, or alternatively email Jennifer Young at Francis Hanna & Co on jyoung@fhanna.co.uk
Many men who are the victims of domestic abuse can find it difficult to get support. It can also be hard for men to acknowledge the abuse and talk about their experiences. This silence could be due to a number of reasons, including love for a partner, embarrassment or shame, concern for their children and fear of not being taken seriously or perhaps being blamed.
The Men’s Advisory Project provide a confidential counselling, information and referral service for men experiencing domestic abuse or the pressures of a breakdown in a relationship.
MAP provide counselling services for all men experiencing domestic abuse. MAP can provide support and help men understand their options and make their own choices and decisions.
MAP also offer support and counselling services to men who have previously left a violent or abusive relationship and who are still experiencing the effects.
Whilst they do not provide advice, MAP can provide men with information and signpost them to other organisations that can help them; these include a number of voluntary, community and statutory bodies.
MAP also offer a range of services to both men and women who want assistance and support to deal with their anger. These services are available to those who wish to understand powerful emotions, cope better with stress in their lives and adopt more appropriate behaviours for healthy relationships.
MAP also provide awareness-raising sessions, such as speaking at conferences or stands at events on male victims of domestic abuse and the issues they face.
MAP offer services across Northern Ireland and work to help end domestic abuse.
Men’s Advisory Service, 5th Floor Glendinning House, 6 Murray Street, Belfast, BT1 6DN
Source: LifeSupports
Life Law NI 
You must be logged in to post a comment.