Ηellenic train on compensation: “Advance payments do not constitute acceptance of liability”

Hellenic Train announced on Wednesday that it will pay compensation to the families of the victims, drawing the ire of many as the statement claims the payment is not an admission of responsibility.

“In the context of this decision by the management of Hellenic Train, to make advance payments to cover the immediate financial needs of the families of passengers who died in the railway accident of passenger train IC 62 on February 28, 2023, as well as passengers injured in the same accident, without any admission of liability from the company , in accordance with the provisions of the European Regulation 1371/2007, both for reasons special social sensitivityand taking into account European legislation,” her message characteristically notes.

The company announced:

• An advance payment of EUR 42,000.00 to the families of the deceased passengers.
• To affected passengers, regardless of the severity of their injury, an advance payment of (a) EUR 5,000.00 if they have not been admitted to any hospital or clinic on the date of this announcement, and (b) EUR 10,000.00 if on the date of this announcement of this announcement, they remain hospitalized in any medical institution or clinic, in order to meet the urgent financial needs of all of the above, despite the fact that European law does not provide for a specific minimum amount of the advance payment.
• The families of those killed, injured and other train passengers during the accident will be compensated in the amount of 300.00 euros for all their baggage, including hand luggage, personal effects and animals.

According to ERT, according to European rules, railway companies are obliged to pay the stipulated compensation without delay in accordance with the damage caused. However, the Hellenic Train announcements, combined with the lack of communication reported by passengers in the early days of the accident, sparked a wave of anger from the victims and their families.

“No amount of compensation will break our struggle for a fair and exemplary punishment of all those responsible for the tragedy. They should be ashamed just thinking about it,” said Stelios Surlas, a lawyer for the victim’s family.

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