BBC News Online: Audio/Video: Programmes: PM

Victims' families' compensation battle

Victims' families feel let down

  56k

The state of the union address by the President of the United States, George Bush, was one of the most significant in years, coming as it did in the wake of 11th September.

For the families of the victims of the terrorist atrocities, life is still, inevitably, very difficult.

And some have now been angered by the Federal Compensation Fund, set up to prevent legal action against the airlines. This limited the liability of the airlines, which effectively capped claims against them.

Some families and lawyers say the proposals for the way it will work are simply unfair. Some challenge the claims ceiling, whilst others are calling for equality of payouts from the federal fund.

The man charged with unravelling the mess is Kenneth Feinberg, who also drew up the compensation fund regulations.

PM's Jon Manel reports from New York.

To listen to the report, click on the link above.