Abuse Survivors Blog

If you have suffered an injury (physical or psychological) in the last three years as a result of being involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you may have a personal injury compensation claim.

There are some cases where the criteria might be different. For example, a child has three years from their 18th birthday to make a claim (and will be represented in the claim by a competent adult known as a litigation friend), regardless of how old they were when they were injured. 

Many victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer significant psychological injury as a result of the trauma they have experienced. Some victims of childhood sexual abuse self-harm as a way of dealing with this trauma which often results in physical scars.

It is well known that many victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer with psychological conditions and symptoms that affect their day to day life and ability to function.

The symptoms of these conditions are debilitating and can be treated by various traditional psychotherapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EDMR and counselling.

This year has seen spiralling revelations of abuse and sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable people by those working for reputable aid organisations in countries ravaged by war and catastrophic natural disasters.  

It is deeply shocking that respected British charities including Oxfam and the Red Cross have found themselves at the heart of a scandal exposing predatory staff taking advantage of the vulnerable communities they are supposed to be helping.

In the wake of Cliff Richard’s successful court appeal against the BBC, it is right to revisit how victims of sexual abuse can be protected in law from having their identities revealed. There has been much debate over the years on press freedom to report on cases which are thought to be of public interest and the rights of the parties involved in those legal cases.

A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses have not consented to the marriage and it has taken place against their will.

Physical, emotional and psychological abuse is often used to coerce individuals, who are often children (under 18), into entering these marriages.

On 24^th July 2018, the Court of Appeal unanimously agreed in the case of JT v First Tier Tribunal  that the 'same roof rule' was incompatible with Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.  

A case in which we represented a victim of abuse in a compensation claim, which later proceeded to the criminal trial of their abuser illustrates the valuable and important role a Registered Intermediary can have in the justice process. 

Sadly, in some cases, a significant injury caused by negligence can result in the death of that individual.

Where the victim of a personal injury has died before their claim is settled it is still possible to continue the claim to benefit the claimant’s estate.

On 12 July 2018 representatives of Emmott Snell Solicitors attended the annual APIL/ACAL conference. 

APIL is a non-profit making organisation that has been campaigning and fighting for the rights of injured people for over 25 years. The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) is also a non-profit making organisation, which was set up to support and assist victims, lawyers, and professionals involved in obtaining compensation for those who have suffered abuse (sexual, physical or psychological) abuse as children.