A leading child abuse solicitor has spoken out against the 'adversarial and litigious' approach of insurance companies that refuse to pay compensation to victims of historic abuse.


Peter Garsden, president of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, has said that insurance companies acting for care homes often rely on technical points to avoid settling or admitting liability.



He said insurers try to grind down the claimant so they become frustrated and gave up - in contrast to the 'more pragmatic and sensitive approach' taken by local authorities representing themselves.



Jason Spencer, head of the insurance practice at Manchester firm Hill Dickinson, said defendants and their insurers had to thoroughly investigate the merits of each individual claim, which involved detailed consideration of complex issues including factual evidence, liability, limitation, causation and quantum.



Catherine Baksi