Victims of the Buncefield oil depot explosion in Hertfordshire in December have begun a multimillion-pound group claim for compensation in the High Court.
Des Collins, a solicitor acting for 60 people who lost their homes, jobs or suffered post-traumatic stress as a result of the explosion, lodged a Group Litigation Order against Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited, a joint venture company operated by Total and Texaco, at the High Court on Friday. He said that the action followed the “persistent failure” of oil industry leaders to meet victims to discuss their concerns and claims for compensation.
Mr Collins said: “It is simply not good enough that, almost two months after this multibillion dollar industry blew apart not only the residents’ houses but also their lives, no offer of compensation whatsoever has been put forward.
“It is something which cannot and will not be allowed to continue. If liability is to be a real issue between the residents and the industry, then it is only sensible that the matter is referred to the courts at the earliest possible opportunity.”