Farleys have secured a Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) award of £252,514 for a victim of historical sexual abuse.

A CICA claim was submitted for Client X in January 2022. Client X is a survivor of child sexual abuse at the hands of her father and other men involved as part of a paedophile gang. Prior to initiating the claim, Client X had extensive psychiatric injury. She had attempted suicide and had multiple psychiatric admissions since 2011 under the Mental Health Act.

Client X had previously been diagnosed with Complex PTSD, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, and non-organic psychosis induced by her mental health. It was clear that Client X was suffering from significant psychiatric injury as a result of the abuse, and it was important that she be compensated for this.

The first step in the CICA claim was obtaining relevant medical records to provide to the CICA. GP records were obtained and reviewed by the review team, after which they were provided to the CICA. The records confirmed Client X’s mental health struggles and diagnosis.

Following this, the CICA requested further information from Client X’s treating therapist, in the form of a standard questionnaire. A decision was instead made with Client X to commission a medical report, because it was likely that Client X would have a claim for psychiatric injury, as well as past and future loss of earnings.

Farleys instructed a forensic psychiatrist to prepare the report. The Doctor met with Client X at our Manchester offices in October 2023 and was provided records of Client X’s extensive medical and psychiatric history.

The report was finalised in February 2024 and ran almost 90 pages. The report confirmed that Client X had complex and severe psychiatric injury. It confirmed her previous diagnosis of complex PTSD with symptoms of EUPD and elements of psychosis. Client X’s mental health problems were confirmed to be directly attributable to the abuse that she had suffered, and it was confirmed that she would be unlikely to work again.

During this time, HMRC and DWP records were obtained. The records were reviewed by the review team, and a Schedule of Loss was prepared which highlighted Client X’s past and future loss of earnings, as well as the costs of future treatment that was recommended by the doctor.

The medical report was sent to the CICA in April 2024, alongside the Schedule of Loss and supporting records. The abuse team at Farleys chased the CICA on a bi-monthly basis throughout 2024 for a decision on Client X’s claim. The delays of the CICA were frustrating and upsetting for Client X, however the abuse team maintained regular contact with Client X and the CICA.

By December 2024 a decision had still not been made, and updates from the CICA were minimal. The decision was made to submit a formal complaint to the CICA due to the delays and the length of time it was taking to review the relevant documentation.

Finally, in January 2025, an offer of £252,514 was made to Client X. After discussing this with Jonathan Bridge, Client X made the decision to accept the offer.

Client X commented,

I originally had a lot of anxiety about making a CICA claim, but I soon felt I could really trust Farleys Solicitors. Jonathan and his team were amazing and always explained everything to me really clearly and with empathy. They were always patient with me when, at times, I did get anxious about the claim process, and I always came away feeling reassured and more at ease.

Farleys have been the perfect combination of professional, responsive, yet empathetic and sensitive throughout the whole process of dealing with my case which made everything so much easier.

I am really happy with the outcome I received and will be ever grateful to Jonathan and his amazing team for all their help. I don’t feel I could’ve obtained such a positive outcome without them.

Contact a Specialist in CICA Abuse Claims

Our team at Farleys has extensive experience in acting on behalf of clients in CICA claims and have been successful in holding the CICA to account for delays and appealing decisions where necessary. If you would like to discuss your case in confidence with one of our abuse claim specialists, please call 0330 134 6430, get in touch by email, or use the online chat below.