Sandy Kovacs and Mallory Hogan secure judgment of $2.33 million in child abuse case – the highest compensatory damages award for sexual abuse ever given in Canada
H.N. is a young adult who suffered egregious harm as a child when he was psychologically and sexually abused by a school tutor, Gary Redgate. H.N. was an intelligent child who, at age 11, was writing a novel. H.N.’s grade 6 teacher introduced him to Redgate with the intention of Redgate helping H.N. with his novel. Redgate subsequently groomed and abused H.N. at school, during school hours, and at his private home.
At trial, Sandy and Mallory successfully argued that H.N.’s injuries arising from the abuse were both profound and catastrophic, causing a lifetime of suffering and lost income. Ultimately, the Court awarded $2.33 million in overall damages, including $1.9 million for loss of future earning capacity.
This decision sets a new high-water mark for compensatory damages in sexual abuse cases across Canada.
H.N. v. School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria), 2024 BCSC 128
Press Release:
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/court-awards-man-23-million-because-of-sexual-abuse-by-tutor-in-early-2000s-8186802
In the News:
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/former-victoria-student-awarded-2-3m-in-sex-abuse-case-1.6749124