When the USS Vincennes fired upon Iran Air passenger Flight 655 in 1988, killing some 290 individuals, the President of the United States decided that the United States would offer compensation, on an ex gratia basis, to the families of the victims.
Chaffey commenced legal proceedings seeking an ex-gratia payment of about $150,000, claiming the fall-out from the affair had left him unable to resume his work duties.
He is the instrumental for achieving ex-gratia to the toddy tappers, who fell from toddy palm trees while tapping.
Vellacott also called for full compensation to Hepatitis C victims during his first term in Parliament, arguing that the government could overcome complicated legal issues around liability by issuing ex gratia payments.
In November 2013, Minister for Health, James Reilly announced that Judge Yvonne Murphy had been appointed to review the findings of the Walsh report, to meet with survivors of symphysiotomy, hospital authorities and insurers with a view to deciding on whether an ex gratia redress scheme would be preferred to allowing legal actions to proceed.