Shipman compensation could run into millions

Compensation claims from relatives of victims of serial killer GP Harold Shipman could run into millions of pounds.

The doctor was jailed for life in January last year at Preston Crown Court for the murders of 15 female patients from his surgery in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

A clinical audit has suggested he could have killed up to 300 patients over the decades.

The husband or wife, parents and children of the victim are all entitled to bereavement compensation from Britain's Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) which pays out £200m a year in awards.

An individual claiming for the death of someone at the hands of the doctor would receive the statutory award of £10,000, and if more than one person qualifies for compensation they receive £5,000 each.

People can also apply for funeral expenses to be covered and for personal injury awards if they were mentally scarred by the death of a loved one killed or believed to have been killed by Shipman.

Howard Webber, chief executive of the CICA, said it has already received more than 160 applications for compensation from relatives of victims and alleged victims, and settled 120 of those awards.

Thirty of these applications resulted from the 15 murders of which Shipman was convicted.

In some cases no one will be eligible for bereavement awards because the doctor preyed on elderly spinsters, and siblings do not meet the criteria for compensation.