Six victims of the 1999 nail-bomb attack at London's Admiral Duncan pub are suing the owners for damages.
The victims, all customers at the pub at the time of the bombing, claim they suffered both serious physical and psychological injuries from the blast that killed three people and injured more than 40.
They claim that owners of the gay pub, Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), failed to spot the danger and take more care of customers.
S&N Retail chairman Bob Ivell said it was difficult to talk about the case for legal reasons but added: "I'm not sure we are the right people to sue, unlike the guy who put the bomb there and who is now in prison."
Gerald Wheatley, 51, who was left partially deaf by the bombing, told a Sunday newspaper: "I would like to see justice done."
The other victims of the attack, which happened in London in April 1999, were New Zealander Gary Reid, 46, who lost a leg; Mauro Mazzori, who also lost a leg; David Hayes, 35, who lost an eye; Thomas Douglas, 45, who lost a leg and Nicholas Banda, who suffered severe internal injuries.
It is thought the six victims would have to prove S&N acted negligently. "Without being sure of the facts, I think they will have a fair job proving that," said Richard Williams, of London solicitors Joelson Wilson & Co. "They will presumably have to show S&N received some form of warning.
"You have to ask what they could have done. Is it their responsibility to check every bag for a bomb? This is not airport security."
In a statement issued last week, an S&N company spokesman said: "Scottish & Newcastle confirms that claims relating to the bomb attack at the Admiral Duncan in April 1999 are in the hands of the company's insurers.
"The welfare and safety of employees and customers has always been a priority for Scottish & Newcastle, as it was on April 30 1999 when the attack occurred and it continues to be a priority for the company today."
This is thought to be the first time that bomb victims have claimed compensation through the courts in Britain.