Real-life case study of a successful compensation claim made following a sexual assault in a shop.
Sexual misconduct in a retail setting is in the news due to allegations of sexual abuse being made against Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed by many former employees.
Abuse lawyer Elizabeth Duncan is familiar with the issues this has raised, having acted for clients who have suffered sexual assault in a shop or retail setting, whether as staff members or as customers.
For example, she recently settled a compensation claim against a supermarket chain arising from sexual assault. While our client (who will shall call F for privacy) was shopping in-store and waiting in line an employee, under cover of pretending to assist her, committed a sexual assault her by groping her.
Understandably the lady was very shocked and immediately froze. When she recovered her composure she reported what had happened to her to the police. The police acted by seizing the CCTV footage and began their investigations into the shop worker who had committed the assualt.
Shocked by what had happened and wanting redress, F reached out to our specialist abuse team on our free legal helpline. Partner Elizabeth Duncan was able to advise F about the options open to her. This included bringing a civil claim for compensation against the supermarket. Because the assault was carried out by the man while he was working this meant that the shop, as the man’s employer, would be held legally responsible for his actions and the harm caused.
Elizabeth agreed to deal with the claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, so F did not have to worry about funding legal fees.
The claim was submitted to the supermarket where the assault had taken place. The insurer of the shop investigated promptly and an early offer of compensation was made. This was accepted by F who was very pleased with the outcome.
If you need expert guidance on recovering compensation for a sexual assault in a shop then contact our dedicated legal helpline for a free case assessment and details of No Win, No Fee funding.