Family of PIP claimant who died, successfully sue Capita for £10,000

The family of a woman who died after being refused PIP following a Capita assessment have received £10,000 in compensation for maladministration, the BBC reported today.

Victoria Smith died last July, weeks after having her PIP award stopped. The decision was made when Ms Smith was reassessed for PIP having previously received it.

A mandatory reconsideration request was unsuccessful and shortly after getting the news Ms Smith was admitted to hospital, where she died.

Ms Smith’s mother said that the decision ‘destroyed’ her:

"When they took away her ability to look after herself, to have a way of life, she gave up."

The week after she died, a tribunal found that she was eligible for PIP.

Ms Smith’s family sued Capita for maladministration on the grounds that the assessment report contained inaccurate statements.

The court found in favour of the family and awarded £10,000 in compensation.

Capita, however, maintain that their report was correct, based on the information they were given at the time.

They claim that due to a procedural issue their full response to the claim was not considered by the court and they say they have now asked the court to investigate the issue.

You can read the full story on the BBC website.