A CLAIM for compensation following the tragic death of 11-year-old David Crossley will run into thousands of pounds.

David died at the weekend 16 months after being crushed by a gravestone in Burnley Cemetery.

His family's solicitor, Basil Dearing, said it was likely the claim would be pursued.

Mr Dearing said the claim will now be for thousands of pounds rather than the £1 million-plus which would have been necessary to provide continual care for David.

Mr Dearing, who is also press officer for the local branch of the Law Society, said the case illustrated the failure of proposed changes to the legal aid system.

Under the new system, the family would have to find solicitors prepared to take the case on a no win no fee basis.

Those solicitors would have to be prepared to not only devote a lot of time but also considerable costs in providing detailed and expert reports and medical evidence.

Mr Dearing said: "Once liability is decided in a case there should not be too much difficulty. Any lawyers will take the case if there is no problem with liability, they will be happy to take the easy stuff.''

The difficulty will be in cases in which liability is not straight forward.

Burnley Council has expressed sadness about the tragedy. A statement said: "Councillors and officers were very saddened to hear of the tragic death of David Crossley and our hearts go out to his family at this very sad time.''

David will be wearing his beloved Manchester United strip when he is buried at Burnley Cemetery on Friday.

The cortege will pass his former school, Hargher Clough County Primary, on the way to St Mark's Church, Rossendale Road for a service at 11.30am.

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