PRESS RELEASE FROM STACKS/GOUDKAMP LAW FIRM, SYDNEY.
15th March, 2012
The hopes of Australian nuclear veterans for compensation for adverse health effects from being exposed to radiation during British nuclear testing in the Australian Outback were dealt a serious blow overnight by the UK Supreme Court.
The UK Supreme Court ruled in a 4 to 3 decision that nuclear veterans could not sue the UK Ministry of Defence as too much time had passed since the nuclear tests conducted at Maralinga in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The majority of judges ruled that despite the 60 years that had passed since the tests, there was still insufficient evidence to prove the veterans health problems were caused by exposure to radiation.
Sydney law firm Stacks/Goudkamp has been representing more than 300 Australian veterans of the British nuclear tests held at Maralinga and Montebello Island conducted in the 1950s and early 1960s.
We are reviewing the 80 pages of the British judges decision to see if there is any opportunity to proceed with the claim, said Michael Giles of Stacks/Goudkamp.
The action had been brought by British nuclear veterans against the UK Ministry of Defence. If the British case was allowed to proceed, Australian nuclear veterans planned to join the class action against the UK Ministry of Defence.
MICHAEL GILES IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
Phone: (02) 4925 3355 or 0434 905 842
michael@stacksgoudkamp.com.au
A summary of the UKcourt decision is available.
Contact
Stacks Media consultant Frank Walker
0417 090 346
frank.walker@optusnet.com.au