Child abuse solicitor, Deborah Corcoran of Simpson Millar has secured £500,000 under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, the maximum amount that can be awarded under the scheme. The award has been made to her client, a 32 year old female who as a child endured many years of sexual and physical abuse by her father. The local authority allowed the girl to live alone with her father despite the fact he was a convicted paedophile. The award takes into consideration the sexual abuse she suffered along with the loss of past and future earnings and any care needs arising as a result of the abuse.
Anyone who has been the victim of a crime of violence and has suffered a physical or psychological injury as a consequence, may be entitled to apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
A Scheme for compensating victims of crimes of violence was first established in 1964. The Scheme is run by the UK Government and applications are processed by a specialist agency known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). It was formerly the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB).
Commenting on the award, solicitor Deborah Corcoran said: “The abuse my client suffered in her childhood has affected her throughout her life. The settlement she has received from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority reflects the extent of her suffering. I hope it will encourage others who have experienced this kind of abuse to speak out.”
Deborah is a member of the association of child abuse lawyers, the association of personal injury lawyers, and has specialised in abuse work since 1999. She has acted as lead solicitor in a number of successful high profile group action cases and represented hundreds of clients, both adults and children.
If you have been the victim of child abuse you can contact our specialist child abuse solicitors in confidence on 0845 604 7075 or email us at legalhelpline@simpsonmillar.co.uk.