Elisabeth Fritzl and her children may seek financial damages from the
father who kept them locked in a cellar says their lawyer.

 VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 06, 2008) REUTERS -

The Austrian family abused by their father may launch a legal claim
for damages against him, according to their lawyer Christoph Herbst.
    Herbst told Reuters Television on Tuesday (May 6) that he was in the
process of sorting out the possible claim against Joseph Fritzl, but that most
of the family members were doing well given the circumstances.
    "Looking at the detention and harm it caused there is the
possibility to take an adequate action for damages," the attorney
said.
    "But first we have to clarify the financial situation of the
accused. Can the whole thing be successful, does he have any belongings? Only
then we can decide whether it is worth to start the relevant
proceedings."
    Herbst also said it was also very important to sort out the financial
future of the family.
    For nearly a quarter of a century, Elisabeth Fritzl was kept by her
73-year-old father in a windowless basement prison below the family home.
Elisabeth, who says her father abused her from when she was 11 years old, says
she was drugged by him and locked up in the basement when she was 18. Three of
her children, fathered by Josef Fritzl, had to grow up in the dungeon with her
and never saw the sunlight.
    Herbst said the 42 year old Elisabeth seems not to be broken by her
experience though.
    "She is consulting other people, asking them for advice the same
way we do it, too, said Herbst.
    "She is able to take all these decisions. She gives me the
impression of a strong person. She is taking care of the children and knows
how to handle the situation, as far as I can judge it."
    On Monday (May 6) doctors had announced that the condition of Elisabeth
and her children -- two sons aged 18 and 5 were imprisoned with her -- had
improved.
    For Herbst watching the reunited family members interact is a positive
experience.
    "When you watch the family members dealing with each other it is
really in very affective way. They are going towards each other; they are
playing with each other. When you see that family acting with each other your
heart gets warmer than when you think about it all objectively", he
added.