Grenfell firefighters win multi-million pound settlement

The Fire Brigades Union confirmed that the claims for its members injured in the Grenfell tragedy have been settled for £20m in the High Court.

The civil court damages claims were brought by 114 firefighters, some of whom were unable to work again due to severe trauma, for personal injury and loss caused by alleged negligence and breach of statutory duty when they attended the Grenfell Tower blaze on 14 June 2017.

The defendants in the claim included Arconic Architectural Products, Celotex and Rydon Maintenance Limited, who were the companies that made the combustible cladding and designed and built the refurbishment to the exterior of the building, which contributed to the fire’s spread. Other defendants included the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Fire Commissioner.

The settlement for the firefighters follows the High Court settlement earlier this year for nearly 900 cases on behalf of the bereaved, survivors and residents affected by the tragedy.

“The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy is a stark reminder of the systemic failings of building safety and government accountability. Firefighters, many of whom have been deeply affected by the horrors they witnessed, continue to advocate for those living in unsafe conditions.”

Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union.

National law firm Thompsons Solicitors represented the firefighters supported by The Fire Brigades Union.

“We hope this settlement brings closure of a sort for these firefighters, although we know that for many, the injuries will last a lifetime.”

Vincent Reynolds from the personal injury team at Thompsons.

The settlement does not impact the public inquiry which is due to report at some point this year on the potential for any criminal charges in the future. Last week the bereaved, survivors and residents spoke at Grenfell Tower Testimony Week sharing the impact the fire, where 72 people died, has had on their lives.