The child abuse team in Irwin Mitchell’s London office has successfully negotiated an out of court settlement for a family group. The claim was made against Norfolk County Council for failing to protect the brothers and sisters of the family from significant abuse.

During their time living with their family, the claimants suffered significant sexual abuse, as well as neglect, physical and psychiatric harm. The case was brought against Norfolk County Council on the basis that the defendant had a duty to take reasonable steps to protect the claimants as children living in their area from a foreseeable risk of harm.

Court proceedings were issued against Norfolk County Council who initially denied that they failed in their duty of care to the claimants. After obtaining evidence from a variety of experts to deal with the standard of care provided by the Council, and the level of psychiatric harm suffered by the claimants, the Council agreed to negotiate a settlement and the family was awarded over £190,000 in compensation.

This award is to compensate the family for their physical, emotional and psychiatric injuries and allow them access to the counselling and psychiatric support needed to help them to re-build their lives.

Sarah Griggs, an Associate in Irwin Mitchell’s London office, represented the family and welcomed the settlement. She said: "These were stark cases involving extreme failures to protect young and vulnerable children from significant harm.

"Whilst the award of damages will never fully compensate the family for their childhood experiences, it will help them to move forward and create a better life for them, and their own children."

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