British Airways will pay its own legal bill if DVT claimants lose future court case

Airline Industry Information, April 13, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

British Airways will reportedly pick up its own legal bill if claimants attempting to sue the airline over deep vein thrombosis (DVT) lose a future court case against it.

In the British judicial system, the losing side is usually responsible for the legal costs incurred by the winner. However, the carrier's decision will make it less financially prohibitive for the claimants to pursue their case to Britain's highest court of appeal, the House of Lords.

A total of 24 claimants have taken legal action to establish whether DVT can be classed as an accident under the Warsaw Convention - which covers compensation for death and injury during air travel.

The claimants are expected to launch their final appeal in the House of Lords later this week, reported The Associated Press.

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