Abuse Claims

BTO’s abuse unit deals with a wide range of abuse claims including both historical and recent abuse. We have been instructed by both insurers of defenders and by uninsured defenders directly, in relation to claims brought against institutions such as schools, care homes, mosques and religious orders as well as claims against other employers and medical professionals. We have also provided specific training to insurer clients in relation to recent changes in the law relating to limitation affecting claims for abuse suffered in childhood.

We appreciate that abuse cases involving children and vulnerable adults are highly sensitive. We handle these cases with the utmost discretion, and we work closely with clients throughout litigation to ensure that they know what to expect when we are investigating and dealing with such claims. We are aware that it can often be deeply distressing and unsettling for witnesses to be asked about the events giving rise to such claims, and we are always sensitive in our dealings with witnesses and employees of clients.

Investigating abuse claims can be a complex and protracted process. Advising clients on appropriate reserves for such claims is a highly specialised task. We are well equipped to assist clients in these matters. Our unit is led by solicitors and solicitor advocates with considerable experience of all types of complex personal injury claims including other types of historic claim. We regularly deal with issues such as apportionment of risk between insurers and identifying the correct insurers on risk. We have expertise in interpretation of all types of insurance policies and can advise on coverage and indemnity issues.

We are very familiar with the Scottish solicitors who specialise in acting for pursuers in abuse claims, and we know how they operate. We foster positive working relationships with them so that, when appropriate, we can work with them to resolve cases swiftly and efficiently.

In addition to our specialist civil claims solicitors, our unit includes experienced criminal and regulatory solicitors and solicitor advocates who can advise on the criminal and regulatory aspects of abuse allegations. The specialist employment lawyers within the unit can assist clients with advice and representation in relation to all types of disciplinary and employment procedures.

We also have considerable data protection and defamation expertise to be called upon to assist in protecting clients’ reputations and to advise and assist clients who have to respond to requests for information and records under Freedom of Information and data protection legislation.

Contact: Claire White, Partner cwh@bto.co.uk T. 0141 221 8012