Background

Client C approached Farleys approximately 20 years after suffering sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father from the age of 11 until she was 15.

The abuse has had a significant impact on Client C’s social, personal, and professional life.

Jonathan Bridge, the Head of the abuse team at Farleys Solicitors agreed to act on Client C’s behalf and applied to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for compensation.

How Farleys were able to help

As Client C’s application was significantly out of time it posed a challenge for the abuse department to prove there was sufficient reasons for this delay and for bringing a claim outside of the two-year time limit. The team obtained all relevant medical records and demonstrated exceptional circumstances and so the CICA agreed to waive the time limit in this case.

In order to support Client C’s claim for mental injury, the team insisted she see a Consultant Psychiatrist to be professionally assessed and for the claim to be quantified correctly. This report was highly supportive allowing the abuse team to push for a mental injury award and payment for past and future loss of earnings.

Settlement

The CICA made an initial offer of £2,000 in 2016 for one count of sexual assault. We advised Client C to request the CICA review this decision on the basis that the length of the abuse was not acknowledged, neither was her mental injury or any loss of earnings as a direct result of the abuse.

The CICA reviewed their decision and in 2021 made a second offer of £124,817. This included compensation for her mental injury as well as past and future loss of earnings.

The claim went to appeal in which Client C secured a final award of £128,250. This award recognised Client C’s mental injury of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; that is permanent and the fact this impacted her ability to work, and any repercussions it may have on future work.

Contact a Specialist in Abuse Claims

If you are a survivor of abuse, we understand it can be difficult to talk about your experiences. Our specialist team has assisted hundreds of clients with claims for damages arising out of abuse and often find this provides a sense of closure for many. To discuss the possibility of making a claim with one of our experts in confidence, please call our dedicated abuse line on 0330 134 6430, by email, or through the online chat below.