Italy ordered to pay more for bad blood victims

(STRASBOURG) - The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ordered Italy to increase compensation payments to victims of contaminated blood transfusions, saying they should have been indexed to inflation.

The court approved an appeal by 162 Italians who contracted the HIV virus and Hepatitis B and C in the 1980s and who are currently paid around 540 euros ($710) a month for medical costs.

The judges at the court in Strasbourg said the government's refusal to allow for a yearly increase in the payments in line with inflation constitute an "abnormal and exhorbitant" charge.

The ruling could set a precedent and affect many more victims of contaminated blood transfusions but it is not yet definitive and can be appealed.

Angelo Magrini, head of an association of victims, said it was an "important victory", estimating around 60,000 people in Italy were contaminated by blood transfusions.

He said the monthly payments received by patients could increase by around 100 euros if the ruling becomes definitive.