£59k payout for abused woman

AGLOUCESTERSHIRE woman who was awarded £16,500 compensation as a child after being sexually abused by her father has now been awarded a further £59,000 by the Government.

She received the initial payout at the age of 18 but the damages were awarded via a set tariff system based on the type of criminal injury she suffered.

After her case was reopened on medical grounds as an adult, it was ruled that the amount did not take into account the continuing impact her poor resulting mental health has had on her life.

The woman was awarded the extra money after being advised by her GP to seek a medical reopening of her case. She has now chosen to share her story anonymously in the hope of making other victims of child abuse aware that they could be entitled to more support.

The woman’s case was reconsidered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) after lawyers from Hudgell Solicitors appealed for a medical reopening of her case, due to ongoing mental health struggles linked to attacks on her by her father.

The woman says she intends to use the compensation to pay for private therapy sessions. Due to her poor mental health, she has never been able to hold down a job and has had to live off benefits.

The woman said she was initially unaware a claim had been made on her behalf to the CICA, a Government scheme to compensate innocent victims of violent crime and abuse. She said she only learned of the compensation when she was asked to sign forms to release the £16,500 to her when she turned 18.

The woman said: “This money is vital to me as I will now finally be able to get the therapy I need. I’ve had therapy on the NHS but then after a few sessions I find I’m just left on a waiting list. I’ll now get the consistent, specialist help I need.

“My life has been forever affected by what happened to me. I have little or no trust in men unknown to me, and that has meant I’ve been unable to access NHS therapy for long periods, as there have not been women therapists available.”

The woman says she was unaware when signing to secure the initial £16,500 damages that the mental health impact on her had not been included. She was also not given any financial advice, and therefore had her benefits stopped for a period of time, which could have been avoided.

It was when being treated for her continuing poor mental health two years ago that her GP suggested seeking advice on a medical reopening of her case, and to apply for increased compensation.

The woman instructed specialist Tracy Thames, of Hudgell Solicitors, who says medical re-openings should be pursued by people who suffer increasing mental health problems as a result of being a victim of crime.

Mrs Thames. said: “Medical re-openings provide a route to securing more compensation for people whose mental or physical health worsens over time”