How we've helped injured survivors
Hudgell Solicitors have been proud to partner with specialist rehabilitation and financial experts to ensure injured survivors of the Manchester Arena Bombing have benefitted from tailored packages of support.
Led by our chief executive Rachel Di Clemente, we approached a number of partner organisations, urging them to come together to ensure our clients had the support they required.
Partnerships were established with rehab specialists Proclaim Care and independent financial advisors Frenkel Topping, agreeing a way to jointly fund and provide access to urgent treatment rehabilitation support and advice on financial matters.
An initial package of support included dedicated rehabilitation services and much-needed financial assistance.
We look forward to being able to provide further support in due course, with the legal case paving the way to provide further treatment options and dedicated case management support.
Why we stepped in
Whilst initial treatment and support was provided via the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, many survivors were left struggling to access further treatment under the NHS and struggling to return to the lives they knew before.
This situation was compounded as the Covid-19 pandemic lengthened already unacceptable waiting lists for treatment.
With all potential civil actions for compensation awaiting the outcome of the Public Inquiry, at Hudgell Solicitors we recognised that hundreds of physically and psychologically injured survivors were going to be left without vital assistance for a number of years.
Whilst we helped with some of the acute and intermediate needs of those we represent, the focus now is on looking at the long-term needs of all we represent and ensuring we can provide full future rehabilitation support for those still in need of help to return their lives to some form of normality, and towards achieving the best possible outcomes.
This includes helping people back to employment where possible, and to a position where they are able to look forward to the future again.
'Determined to provide immediate help'
Rachel Di Clemente, chief executive of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “The support we have provided to survivors of the Manchester Arena Bombing makes me hugely proud.
“Many suffered life-changing physical and psychological injuries, but after an initial wave of fundraising, found themselves left without the funds or support to access vital treatment and financial help.
“We were determined not to leave these people in limbo for years and to find a way of providing immediate help.
“It was challenging for our partners to offer the level of support they would normally due to the lack of funding, with all work carried out without any guarantees of recovering the cost.
“It was done to ensure rehabilitation was in place, in spite of the barriers of the litigation, and our clients have been really appreciative of the help they received to help them rebuild their lives after the trauma of the terrorist attack.”
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Manchester Arena bombing victim Paul Price supported by Hudgell Solicitors & Day One Trauma
Paul Price suffered catastrophic injuries in the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017. Even more tragically he also lost his partner Elaine, a serving police officer, who died at the scene. Paul and Elaine were waiting for his 13-year-old daughter and friend to come out of the Ariana Grande concert when the explosion happened. The […]
Judge prevents claim that ‘Manchester bombing didn’t happen’ from being used as a defence against survivors’ harassment case for damages
A High Court Judge today blocked a man from claiming the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing didn’t happen as part of his defence to a legal claim brought against him – labelling his conspiracy theories as ‘preposterous’, ‘absurd’ and ‘fantastical’. Hudgell Solicitors represent survivor Martin Hibbert in a civil claim for harassment, misuse of private information […]
Manchester Arena Inquiry: ‘I’ve been left disabled and a prisoner in my own home. Compensation can help me get part of myself back’
Manchester Arena bombing survivor Joanne McSorley says she has been left a prisoner in her own home as she continues to await compensation for the disabling injuries she suffered in the attack more than five-and-a-half years ago. Joanne, 49, of Runcorn, suffered catastrophic injuries to her left side and shrapnel injuries all over her body […]
‘Survivors are forever haunted by seeing lives lost and being left alone for so long – lessons must be learned over security and rescue planning’
Survivor Ruth Murrell says life for her family has been ‘forever changed’ after being involved in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Ruth and her daughter Emily, who was 12 at the time, were both badly injured in the attack, spending weeks in hospital afterwards and needing to undergo numerous operations to remove shrapnel from […]
Former counter terrorism officer caught in Manchester Arena bombing says there was ‘failure on every level’ to ‘protect, plan and rescue’
As a long-serving police and counter-terrorism officer, Andrea Bradbury was better equipped than most to cope with the horror of being at the centre of a terrorist bombing attack. Yet more than five years since the events at Manchester Arena in May 2017, she says the painful memories linked to that day will never leave […]
Manchester Arena news
‘I had to accept I’ll never be the same person again to start moving forward’
Manchester Arena bombing survivor Sarah Nellist says it took three years for her to be able start looking forward in life – and only after she’d accepted she would never be the same person again. To this day, more than five years on, she still struggles to sleep, endures regular night terrors, avoids large crowds […]
Manchester Arena Inquiry statement: Time has come to hold organisations to account over shocking failings
Hudgell Solicitors represents the families of Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, and Philip Tron, 32, who were killed, and also more than 150 injured survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena Bombing. Following today’s publication of the second volume of findings at the Manchester Arena Inquiry, by Chairman Sir John Saunders, Solicitor Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “This […]
Statement on “defamation and harassment” of Manchester Arena bombing survivors
Solicitor Neil Hudgell said: “A number of our clients, including Martin Hibbert, have instructed us to issue proceedings against a named individual for defamation and harassment, including a claim in damages as well as for restraining injunctions. “These relate to outlandish claims following the Manchester Arena atrocity that our clients are not genuine and did […]
National award recognises support provided to Manchester Arena bombing survivors
Hudgell Solicitors work with rehabilitation specialists Proclaim Care to provide a package of pro bono support to injured survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, has won industry recognition last Friday. We were jointly named as winners of the Partnership Initiative of the Year Award at the Case Management Society UK (CMSUK) Celebration and Awards […]
Manchester Arena Inquiry: Lawyers call for prosecutions in relation to ‘serious shortcomings’ in security
The Manchester Arena Inquiry has today released the first volume of its report into the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people in which Chairman Sir John Saunders concludes there were a series of “serious shortcomings” in security measures. The retired High Court judge said: “The security arrangements for the Manchester Arena should have […]
Mother of Manchester bombing victim ‘relieved’ by conviction of bomber’s brother and hopes for further answers at inquiry
The mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim says the conviction of Hashem Abedi for the murders of the 22 people who died in the terror attack came as a ‘relief’, and says she is hopeful of further clarity from future legal hearings. June Tron’s son Philip, 32, died when caught up in the blast […]
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FAQs
What support has been provided to injured survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing?
Since 2020, we have provided survivors with support including;
- Needs assessments – Bespoke assessments in which specialist clinicians considered their needs and support, signposting to appropriate help.
These assessments formed the basis for agreeing rehabilitation plans for clients and urgent treatment was identified to those most in need and still struggling to return to normal life. - Case Management Support – Clients were supported by dedicated case / rehabilitation managers who considered the treatment recommendations made and any accommodation requirements, home adaptations, aids and equipment needed. Consideration was also made the assistance which could be put in place to help survivors adapt or change their jobs, as well as supporting them with identifying and applying for relevant state benefits.
- Counselling and physiotherapy – Many survivors experienced trauma related psychological symptoms which included avoidance of memory, situations and places.
Many were left suffering from low mood, emotional numbing and finding it difficult to adjust back to life.
Counselling and physiotherapy providers were found and advised of the likely number of referrals, ensuring suitable resources were put in place. - Behavioural therapist support – This was secured to support some of our younger clients in particular, who developed behavioural issues related to being affected by the events of the terror attack.
- Ongoing treatment reviews – Once treatment and support started, meetings were held between our legal team and Proclaim Care to review the cases and discuss any issues. This was initially done on a weekly basis and then moved to two weeks, then every three weeks as the support became more established.
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