Sexual assault at work leads to £995k compensation for PTSD and fibromyalgia
A recruitment consultant sexually assaulted by her line manager has been awarded £995,127.67 after developing PTSD and worsening fibromyalgia, leaving her unable to return to her senior role.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
- #sexual-assault
- #ptsd
- #fibromyalgia
- #personal-injury
- #injury-to-feelings
- #future-loss-of-earnings
- #ogden-tables
Key facts
- The claimant was sexually assaulted by her line manager, the second respondent, in May 2017.
- The assault caused the claimant to develop PTSD and significantly exacerbated her pre-existing fibromyalgia.
- The claimant has been unable to return to her previous senior role and now works part-time at a lower salary.
- The tribunal found that but for the discrimination, the claimant would have earned £68,000 per year plus car allowance until retirement at age 67.
- The claimant's current earning capacity is £50,000 pro rata for 4 days per week.
- The total award including grossing up and interest is £995,127.67.
Timeline
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Sexual assault
The claimant was sexually assaulted by her line manager, Mr T, after a work event. She went off sick the same day.
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Sick note ended
The claimant was signed off sick until 4 October 2017.
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Started work at Purplebricks
The claimant began working for Purplebricks accompanying people to house viewings, continuing until May 2018.
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Started work at Viewber
The claimant worked on a self-employed basis for Viewber between October 2018 and January 2020.
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Started role at Pertemps
The claimant began a 2-day-per-week role at Pertemps on a pro rata salary of £50,000, later increasing to 4 days per week.
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Furloughed from Pertemps
The claimant was furloughed and paid 80% of her salary until 1 November 2020.
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Remedy hearing began
The remedy hearing took place over four days from 6 to 9 June 2022.
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Remedy judgment issued
Employment Judge Webster issued the remedy judgment awarding £995,127.67.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to determine the appropriate compensation for the claimant's PTSD, exacerbated fibromyalgia, injury to feelings, and financial losses caused by the sexual assault, including past and future loss of earnings, pension loss, and treatment costs.
The outcome
The tribunal awarded the claimant a total of £995,127.67, including interest and grossing up. The award covers:
- Financial losses to date: £115,177.90
- Losses to effective date of termination: £13,899.98
- Pension loss to date: £7,850
- Future financial loss: £308,906.90
- Future pension loss: £12,311.47
- Personal injury (PSLA): £75,000
- Injury to feelings: £17,000
- Treatment costs: £2,400
- Interest: £66,964.02
The grossed-up total payable is £995,127.67.
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must take immediate action to prevent sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, including proper training and reporting mechanisms.
- Victims of workplace sexual assault can claim compensation for both physical and psychological injuries, as well as financial losses.
- The use of Ogden tables to calculate future loss of earnings can result in substantial awards for long-term career impact.
- Claimants should seek legal advice early to ensure all heads of loss, including pension loss and treatment costs, are properly claimed.
A life derailed by workplace assault
In May 2017, a senior recruitment consultant was sexually assaulted by her line manager after a work event. The trauma triggered PTSD and severely worsened her pre-existing fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. She has never been able to return to her previous senior role. Instead, she now works part-time at a much lower salary, earning £50,000 pro rata for four days a week — a far cry from the £68,000 plus car allowance she would have earned until retirement at 67.
The tribunal's award of nearly £1 million reflects the devastating and lasting impact of the assault. The largest component is future financial loss (£308,906.90), calculated using Ogden tables to account for her reduced earning capacity over a working life that would have lasted another 25 years. She also received £75,000 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (PSLA) for her PTSD and fibromyalgia, and £17,000 for injury to feelings.
What the employer could have done differently
P Ltd, the employer, was held vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. The case underscores the importance of robust anti-harassment policies and swift, supportive responses when allegations arise. Had the employer taken the claimant's report seriously and provided proper support, the long-term consequences — both human and financial — might have been mitigated.
Why this case matters
This award is one of the largest of its kind from an employment tribunal, highlighting that sexual assault at work can lead to life-changing compensation. It also demonstrates that tribunals will use sophisticated financial modelling to calculate future losses, and that claimants can recover damages for both psychiatric injury and physical conditions like fibromyalgia that are exacerbated by trauma. For anyone considering a similar claim, this case shows the importance of gathering medical evidence and legal representation to ensure all losses are fully valued.
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