Farleys Solicitors received instruction from Client L in August of 2016 in relation to a potential claim for damages following childhood abuse. Head of our Abuse Department, Jonathan Bridge, had an initial appointment with Client L.
Background
Client L and his friend had been the victims of a local paedophile who had recently been convicted and jailed for historic sexual abuse of children. At the end of the Criminal Proceedings the Detective Constable who dealt with the case described the abuse as “abhorrent”.
Client L’s instructions were that the paedophile himself was a man of straw and that any legal action against him would not result in damages being recovered.
How Farleys Were Able to Help
Farleys Abuse Claims Department investigated the case further and it quickly became apparent that not only had Client L a potential claim against his abuser but he also had a claim against the Local Authority who had similarly let him down. The Client’s contention was the Local Authority knew or ought to have known of the risk posed by the paedophile because one of the other children abused by him was in Local Authority care at the time. It was also alleged that the matter had been reported to the Police and to Social Services and that no action had been taken to protect Client L and the other children that suffered.
Farleys obtained and reviewed all relevant records in support of the claim and also obtained Witness Statements.
Liability and Negotiations
The County Council were reluctant to accept liability but entered into negotiations and eventually agreed to settle without the need for medical evidence being obtained, paying compensation to Client L in the sum of £30,000. This was to compensate him for the abuse that he suffered and the psychiatric injury he subsequently alleged.
This was a particularly difficult claim as the Defendant had to be persuaded to compensate a Claimant who had not been in their care at the time of the abuse, where the abuser was not connected with the Council and where there was no suggestion that the Claimant should have been removed from his parents care. Client L was understandably delighted with the settlement achieved.
Speak With an Expert in Abuse Claims
If you have experienced abuse as a child, we know talking about what happened can be difficult. Our team of experts are on hand to listen in confidence and advice on the possibility of making a claim for damages. Call our dedicated abuse line today on 0330 134 6430, contact us by email or chat to us using the online chat below.