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1st June 2006

Hatfield Crash Companies Awarded £20.9m

Fatal Train Crash

On 17th October 2000, 4 people were killed and many more were injured when a train, travelling at over 100mph, came off the tracks.

Immediately following the crash, two companies were fined a record amount for breaches of health and safety. The engineering company, Balfour Beatty and the owners of the track, Network Rail (called Railtrack at the time) were fined £13.5m.

Government Pay Legal Costs

It has now come to light from figures issued under the Freedom of Information Act that both companies have been given £20.9m in defence costs from the government. This money was awarded to them to cover their legal costs after the corporate manslaughter trial fell through.

Mick Antoniw, corporate manslaughter specialist at Thompsons Solicitors, the trade union law firm, said: "It is unjust and inappropriate for Balfour Beatty and Network Rail to have their costs awarded. The case against them was not proved, mainly due to the complexities of the law, but they were given a thrashing by the court, convicted and fined.

“That they are not being made to bear their own costs is yet another insult to the victims of these companies' appalling negligence."

This story was originally reported at www.legal-medical.co.uk.

Compensation Claim

If you or someone you know has been injured in a train crash, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.