Irwin Mitchell Instructed To Investigate Incident On Behalf Of Victims

Victims of the horrific acid attack at an East London nightclub on Easter Monday are considering taking legal action against the club.

Footballer Jamie O’Hara’s cousin Sadie Wright is among victims who have instructed specialist group action personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances of the attack and to help them obtain financial support as they recover from the burns they have suffered.

Sadie, 25, was among 20 people left suffering injuries when a corrosive substance was thrown into a crowd at the Mangle Nightclub in Dalston on Easter Monday. A 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were both blinded in one eye during the incident. 

Sallie Booth, a specialist group actions lawyer at Irwin Mitchell in London said: 

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“Many of the victims will need specialist treatment and help to come to terms with having been caught up in such a terrifying event.

“We are now working with the victims to investigate what more could have been done to prevent the attack. It hasn’t yet been confirmed how the corrosive substance passed security searches, and a number of eyewitnesses have criticised security staff for failing to carry out thorough searches.

“London has become the centre of indiscriminate acid attack crime. The incidence of attacks has almost doubled since 2015 to as many as 450 last year, with over 1800 since 2010. Urgent action must now be taken and safety measures put in place under the guidance and direction of the Metropolitan Police.” Sallie Booth - Partner

Sadie is currently signed off work because of her injuries and the attack has left her struggling to sleep, and she regularly breaks down in tears. She said: “At first I just thought it was a drink someone had spilled but then my eyes were stinging and there was screaming and shouting. 

“There was a burning smell and my face was stinging. I tried to wash it off with water in the bathroom before paramedics came to help. I’ve now got lots of marks on my face which might end up being scars and my vision is blurred.

“I don’t know how anyone could do something like this. It’s likely to affect us for the rest of our lives.”

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the attack and has appeared in court facing several counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one count of throwing corrosive fluid on a person with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or any form of criminal injury, our personal injury lawyers could help you claim compensation. Visit our Abuse & Criminal Injury Claims page for more information.