Victims of major disasters and terrorist attacks continue to face significant difficulties in obtaining necessary support and compensation, a situation that has remained largely unchanged despite past promises to improve services. Advocates highlight that the struggles for assistance can be prolonged and deeply traumatic, often leaving survivors feeling dehumanized and disbelieved.
One individual recounted a challenging journey to secure compensation after an incident, describing the process as years of applications, medical evidence requests, and assessments. This survivor stated that the experience was "dehumanizing" and "humiliating," making them feel as though their claims were not believed. Many survivors, overwhelmed by the ordeal, have abandoned their pursuit of aid altogether.
Legal professionals involved in representing survivors of events like the Manchester Arena attack and the Hillsborough disaster note that their role has expanded beyond legal representation. Solicitors often find themselves acting as social workers and care providers, assisting clients in accessing counseling, rehabilitation, and essential benefits. This is a burden that should fall to state support systems, not legal representatives.
Some Manchester Arena survivors have faced destitution due to lost income, with legal teams stepping in to arrange support that should have been provided by authorities. This situation is not new. A wider pattern, spanning historical tragedies such as Aberfan and the Post Office and infected blood scandals, shows a recurring theme of victims being left to navigate complex and often inadequate support systems alone. Despite repeated assurances that lessons would be learned from past events, victims continue to report a protracted and difficult fight for help.
Comparisons are drawn to historical events, indicating a systemic failure to adequately support victims of mass casualty incidents. The process for compensation is criticized for its lengthy delays, with even straightforward claims taking years to resolve, leaving victims feeling like they are "banging your head against the brick wall." This enduring struggle underscores a persistent gap in how society and its institutions support those affected by profound trauma and loss.