A voluntary compensation scheme agreed by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and the Department of Health and Social Care which enables close family members of the deceased victims of David Fuller who were tragically abused while in the mortuary, to make a claim for damages, has been reopened. The scheme aims to provide fair compensation to close family members in a timely way and also includes provision for their legal costs.
The compensation scheme was initially opened in December 2022 and was closed to new claims on 30 June 2023. The Trust is pleased the scheme has been reopened to allow close family members who have not yet submitted a claim, to do so.
Any new claim under the compensation scheme must be brought by 30 April 2024. A claim is brought by submitting a questionnaire along with documentation/evidence as specified in the scheme to ProtocolClaims@capsticks.com.
Claimants are strongly encouraged, if they wish to claim, to do so as soon as reasonably practicable to assist with the timely administration of the compensation scheme.
The following solicitors are representing family members of the victims and were involved in the drafting of the scheme. They may be contacted to assist with claims under the scheme as follows:
- Dean Wilson Solicitors (Ridgeland House, 165 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN3 1TL. Ben Davey bd@deanwilson.co.uk Direct – 07872 859332 Switchboard – 01273 249200)
- Enable Law (Gary Walker, email: gw@enablelaw.com, tel: 03303 116 772 or 07583149966)
- Irwin Mitchell (Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield S3 8DT; Sallie Booth, email: Sallie.booth@irwinmitchell.com tel: 07714 686356 or 0114 2767777 extn 4260)
There are also at least four other firms who have been instructed to date by other family members and details can be provided as required if an enquiry is sent to the email address below.
Although Claimants are encouraged to consider obtaining legal advice, should family members wish to proceed under the scheme without instructing solicitors, they are asked to contact the Trust at mtw-tr.compensationscheme@nhs.net or phone 01892 638973 but please be advised the Trust cannot provide legal advice to Claimants.
An Independent Inquiry has been established to investigate how David Fuller was able to carry out his actions, why they went apparently unnoticed, and will make recommendations with the aim of preventing anything similar happening again. Further details can be found at https://fuller.independent-inquiry.uk/, including contact details.