300 victims of abuse to sue councils for neglect

Author: The Times   |  

Hundreds of children who suffered neglect or abuse at the hands of their parents have been given the green light to sue councils for damages that could total millions of pounds.

Between 200 and 300 cases where councils failed to take children promptly into care are being prepared after a landmark legal ruling, The Times has learnt. The delays in removing children stretch from weeks and months to years in some cases.

This month the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that Doncaster council must pay compensation to a man who suffered 12 years of abuse by his parents.

The case established for the first time that local authorities are liable for abuse suffered by children if they fail to remove them from harm. The ruling could force hundreds of councils to settle similar claims.

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