But that's not what lawyer Ken Arenson reportedly told Rae in what witnesses described as a heated exchange between the two during one of the private meetings. Arenson, who represents a group of people infected with HIV, was urging his group to reject the deal, convinced victims could get a larger settlement if the Red Cross ended up in bankruptcy. She intends to proceed with a lawsuit against the federal government, she added. Many had speculated that the agency, which is no longer in the blood business, would have been forced into bankruptcy had victims opted to reject the deal. To put the burden on us for compassion when governments have huddled with lawyers and decided we're not worthy of financial help . .
Victims say their backs are against the wall.
We have to take it. We can't wait any longer. Harvey Strosberg, an Ontario lawyer who represents eight people infected with HIV, said the future of the Red Cross is the furthest thing from the minds of his clients. I'm sure the Red Cross does good work. We say the Red Cross was liable and we want to be paid fairly for it.