Childhood abuse claim - a client's story

A man in his fifties, has secured a five-figure settlement in his claim for childhood abuse he suffered whilst in local authority care.

Our client, who wishes to remain anonymous, took the claim over allegations that he was frequently subjected to serious and racially-motivated physical assaults by the person in charge of the London-based children’s home he lived in during the 1970s.

Having approached another firm of solicitors about this claim who advised him that they were unable to assist him given the length of time that had elapsed since the assaults, our client approached the abuse claims team at Leigh Day.

The team investigated the claim and discovered that the perpetrator was no longer alive, which made obtaining evidence more difficult. However, when the team approached the police force which had previously investigated abuse at the children’s home they were told the perpetrator had committed suicide abroad whilst extradition proceedings were ongoing.

Charges for physical assaults upon the client had been included in the extradition proceedings.

After locating additional witnesses from the children’s home the team were able to further attest to the perpetrator’s attitude towards the client whilst he was in care.

After locating additional witnesses from the children’s home the team were able to further attest to the perpetrator’s attitude towards the client whilst he was in care.

Andrew Lord from the abuse team at Leigh Day approached the defendant local authority and set out the proposed claim.

The client’s claim was eventually settled without issuing court proceedings.

After negotiating with the defendant Leigh Day secured a five figure sum in compensation, and, in addition to this, a meeting with two senior members of the Defendant local authority so that the client could be assured that steps were being taken to prevent similar assaults upon children in care today.