A WATFORD law firm is the first in the country to offer free legal help to the British victims of the terrorist attack in America.

Collins Solicitors, based in Station Road, Watford, is the first British firm to sign up to a new initiative aimed at helping victims pursue compensation claims.

The Trial Lawyers Care Initiative, unveiled on Monday, is designed to speed up the compensation process and prevent unscrupulous lawyers from taking advantage of victims and their families.

It is part of the US Government's September 11 Compensation Act, which was announced by Congress shortly after the attacks.

Senior partner at Collins Solicitors, Mr Desmond Collins, said his firm has already taken in the region of 30 calls from Britons affected by the tragedy.

He said: "Initially, we decided to become involved because we were in the right place at the right time. We had been working fairly closely with a number of American lawyers in connection with deep vein thrombosis claims and a number of these lawyers work out of New York State.

"When September 11 happened, we found they were very eager to become involved in doing pro bono work for claimaints and we said we'd like to be involved as well.

"Over and above that, nearly everyone who came through the September 11 tragedy thought: 'Is there anything at all I can do to help', and we were in the fortunate position of being able to do something."

Mr Collins said a number of other British firms have expressed interest in getting involved in the initiative which was negotiated with the backing of the White House and the US Attorney General.

He said: "As the initiative has been in preparation for some two to three weeks, we have already been made aware by American lawyers, with who we have been working, of potential claimants in this country.

"At the moment, we have received something like 30 calls."

The firm will represent clients free of charge and have agreed to deal with claims within 120 days of submission.

These will include claims for loss of life, bereavement and personal injury to be met by the US Federal Government, which has set up a special court to deal with them.

Mr Collins added: "The stories that people tell we all have heard them on television and radio but when you actually hear them on a one-to-one basis, they are quite horrendous."

Victims or their relatives can contact Collins Solicitors on 01923 223324.

October 20, 2001 16:09

Jo Stephenson