Boston Bombing Survivors with Brain Injuries Seek More Aid

A group of survivors of last year’s Boston Marathon attacks is calling on the charity disbursing donated funds to victims to boost payments to those who say they suffered traumatic brain injuries, The Boston Globe reports.

At a press conference Friday, attorneys urged One Fund Boston to review victims’ medical records before a planned $19-million fund distribution this year. The charity’s initial $61-million disbursement focused on the families of those killed in the April 2013 attacks and people who lost limbs or otherwise suffered major physical harm.

Those payments were based on documented wounds and hospitalizations rather than a review of individual claims. Paul White, a lawyer speaking for at least 14 survivors, said the lack of such review meant some victims “have quite clearly fallen though the cracks.” He said some with invisible brain injuries have received $8,000 apiece, far short of their medical expenses.

Dot Joyce, a One Fund spokesperson, said the charity has “taken invisible injuries very seriously. Not only are we offering cash gifts to those individuals, we are also investing in longer-term programs and services that will significantly help with those specific injuries.”