LEGAL RULING ANGERS OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS
Legal ruling angers Omagh bomb victims
By Claire Anthony.
OMAGH bomb victims have expressed their anger over a review, published last week, which states that the practice of lawyers viewing scars in order to assess compensation claims by victims of violent crime is to continue.
The decision follows the outcome of an independent review carried out by Professor Desmond Greer at the request of the Northern Ireland Office.
The review was carried out as a response to complaints by two women who were injured in the Omagh bomb, and were subsequently asked to undergo a humiliating strip ordeal during their fight for compensation.
Omagh traffic warden, Mrs. Rosemary Ingram, was one of the two Omagh women who was asked to strip down to her underwear in front of a panel of lawyers and doctors, so that they could assess the severity of her injuries.
While Professor Greer's report states that the viewing of Mrs Ingram's scars was carried out in accordance with the relevant standards, she says that the "humiliating" experience added to the distress she had already suffered.
"No matter what he [Professor Greer] or anybody else thinks was acceptable, I know how humiliating it was. Now they are saying people have the right to refuse, but when it happened to me I didn't have that choice, or at least no one told me I had until I complained," she said.
The report, while stating that the practice will continue to be employed in future cases, did, however, concede that steps should be taken to improve the quality of medical reports and photographs to eliminate the need for viewing scars wherever possible.
It also recommends that where a viewing is deemed absolutely necessary, the number of lawyers present should be kept to a minimum.
By Claire Anthony.
OMAGH bomb victims have expressed their anger over a review, published last week, which states that the practice of lawyers viewing scars in order to assess compensation claims by victims of violent crime is to continue.
The decision follows the outcome of an independent review carried out by Professor Desmond Greer at the request of the Northern Ireland Office.
The review was carried out as a response to complaints by two women who were injured in the Omagh bomb, and were subsequently asked to undergo a humiliating strip ordeal during their fight for compensation.
Omagh traffic warden, Mrs. Rosemary Ingram, was one of the two Omagh women who was asked to strip down to her underwear in front of a panel of lawyers and doctors, so that they could assess the severity of her injuries.
While Professor Greer's report states that the viewing of Mrs Ingram's scars was carried out in accordance with the relevant standards, she says that the "humiliating" experience added to the distress she had already suffered.
"No matter what he [Professor Greer] or anybody else thinks was acceptable, I know how humiliating it was. Now they are saying people have the right to refuse, but when it happened to me I didn't have that choice, or at least no one told me I had until I complained," she said.
The report, while stating that the practice will continue to be employed in future cases, did, however, concede that steps should be taken to improve the quality of medical reports and photographs to eliminate the need for viewing scars wherever possible.
It also recommends that where a viewing is deemed absolutely necessary, the number of lawyers present should be kept to a minimum.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1684
Published Date: 29-Jan-04
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