Farleys’ specialist abuse solicitor, Jonathan Bridge, was instructed by Client A in 2016 following terrible abuse suffered during childhood.

Background

Client A was taken into the care system before the age of two and had suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of his foster carer’s adoptive son.

Client A alleges that he was too young to understand anything at the time the abuse took place and did not report the abuse to anyone, including his foster parents or his teachers in school.

How Farleys were able to help

Jonathan Bridge acted on behalf of Client A and obtained pre-action disclosure of all relevant records, particularly GP records. These were carefully reviewed and considered by Farleys’ review team. On the basis of the records, a specialist medical report was requested to provide further insight into Client A’s loss of earnings and how the abuse resulted in Client A suffering from anxiety, depression, and symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Farleys were also able to obtain a statement from Client A’s partner in regards to not only Client A’s loss of earnings but also her own which resulted from having to become Client A’s carer.

Settlement

Farleys decided that the best option for Client A was to bring a claim from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) who initially returned with an award of £16,500.

Farleys argued that this payment did not recognise that Client A has suffered a permanent psychiatric injury as a result of childhood abuse nor did it take account of the impact of the abuse on his ability to work.

Farleys appealed the offer and commissioned medico-legal evidence which was able to confirm that Client A was ‘genuine in his account of his difficulties with no attempt to exaggerate on his part’ and the report concluded by confirming that Client A’s significant mental health difficulties had and will continue to run a chronic course, preventing Client A from ever returning to work.

Client A therefore contended that the appropriate award should reflect the severity of his psychiatric injury and its permanence.

Following an appeal hearing Client A was awarded over £166,000 in damages.

Speak to an Expert in Abuse Claims

If you have been the victim of childhood abuse, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Our team of specialists has extensive experience of acting on behalf of survivors of abuse and will be happy to discuss your claim in confidence. Call us today on 0330 134 6430, contact us by email, or speak to us using the online chat below.