£199,000 High Court Award for Bolt Burdon Kemp Client

David McClenaghan, Solicitor-Advocate with Bolt Burdon Kemp, successfully represented Mrs G in her claim for damages from her grandfather in the High Court.

Between the ages of 11 and 16 Mrs G had been sexually abused by her grandfather. The abuse happened mostly when she stayed overnight in her grandparents home. Mrs G had not disclosed the abuse to anyone until she was aged 20. Whilst at university, when studying to become a teacher, she was required to study a module about child abuse and was unable to cope. This prompted her to reveal to her friends that she had been abused. In time, she revealed the abuse to her family and reported the defendant to the police. The defendant was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

The abuse had a profound effect upon Mrs G. She felt unable to continue with her studies and abandoned her dream of becoming a teacher. She was diagnosed as suffering from an adjustment disorder, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.

Mrs G instructed Bolt Burdon Kemp and her case was heard in the High Court on 30th October 2012. Mr Leighton Williams QC awarded Mrs G damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity in the sum of £67,500.

Given the nature of the abuse Mrs G was additionally awarded aggravated damages in the sum of £15,000 to take into account that the abuse was in breach of trust and the emotional upheaval that Mrs G suffered.

Mr Leighton Williams QC held that the abuse was the cause of Mrs G abandoning her ambition of becoming a teacher and awarded her £105,000 in respect of lost earnings. He additionally awarded her damages to pay for psychological treatment that Mrs G had been advised to undertake.

Please see the full case report here