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A Supreme Court compensation claim by veterans of the British nuclear weapons testing programme from the 1950’s has finally been successful. Around 1000 of the surviving servicemen who took part in the tests, all claim that their involvement in the tests has led to ill health as well as cancer related illnesses. While the ministry of defence maintained that there was no causal link between the programme and these illnesses, the 1011 will now be allowed to fight for compensation claims payouts in court. Injury lawyers working on behalf of these men expect their cases to be heard later this year. The new ruling supersedes an earlier decision which stated that 9 out of 10 cases had been brought too late to be heard. Now all will be heard, though the possibility of servicemen winning their cases remained the same. Lord Phillips, President of the Supreme Court, said: “Might I just emphasise this is only an application for permission to appeal. “The court would not wish to raise false optimism in what are obviously some very difficult cases.” Neil Sampson, one of the solicitors acting on behalf of the veterans said: “This is a significant step forward in the veterans’ fight for justice, but it’s by no means the end of the road. “We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision and hope that we can have a hearing at a very early date. “Unfortunately it may well be another year before the Supreme Court is able to have a full hearing of this matter.” This didn’t prevent those concerned from being delighted with the decision. Shirley Denton, a widower to one servicemen concerned, said: “I am hoping, that with compassion and understanding, perhaps the courts can move more quickly and put the age of the veterans and the widows in preference to the delay that we’ve faced for so long. “But I am absolutely thrilled. It’s wonderful.” For more information on compensation claims visit http://www.paulrooney.co.uk/
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