Abuse Claims Solicitors

It’s common for victims of abuse to keep it to themselves, sometimes for years, and feel unable to tell anybody.

Whilst it is helpful for you to have reported the abuse, you aren’t prevented from bringing a claim if you have not done so. Please speak to our specialist solicitors who will be able to give you further guidance and advice.

Our abuse claims solicitors are experienced in working with victims of abuse and will treat you with empathy and understanding, giving you all the time you need to talk confidentially.

Preferably you need to make a claim within three years of when the abuse occurred, or by your 21st birthday if you were abused as a child.

However, the courts are increasingly recognising that it can be years before abuse survivors feel that they can talk about the abuse. As a result, you may be able to make a claim even if the abuse took place years ago. Again, our specialist solicitors will provide guidance to you.

Yes, you can claim for sexual abuse, regardless of whether it took place recently or in the past.

Being sexually abused is not your fault, and you deserve to get justice and be compensated for the way the abuse has affected your life-whether that means you are no longer able to work, you are undergoing medical treatment or seeking therapy.

It can be helpful to our investigations if you have made a report to the police. You can report the abuse to the police by going to your local police station, ringing 101 or reporting it on your local police force’s website.

The police will ask for some basic information and depending on the police force, you might talk to an office from a dedicated sexual offences investigation team, a criminal investigation department or child protection team. By making a report to the police, only they can conduct a criminal investigation into what happened to you, and they may already be aware of your abuser and other victims who have suffered at the hands of your abuser.

If you have not yet reported your abuse, we will give you advice on the next steps to take.

We have supported clients who have no witnesses to the abuse. Please speak to us about your circumstances, as there may be documents or other evidence that help us establish the abuse even where there are no witnesses.

We will need the abuse survivor to provide instructions to us unless there are legal reasons for them not to do so e.g., they’re a child or are under a disability which renders them to lack legal capacity.

However, we understand that it can be extremely difficult and traumatic to discuss these matters. So we’re happy for a supporting family member or friend to attend meetings, and take a more primary role in the claim, if that is preferable. However, we do need the abuse survivor to provide key instructions and be fully aware of the process and stage of the claim.

The length of time varies considerably depending on the details of the case, including the nature of the abuse, when the abuse took place and who the abuser is.

Once we know the facts of the case, we’ll be able to provide an estimate.

We realise that in many cases a victim might not feel comfortable about making a claim for abuse, or talking about the abuse they have suffered until their abuser has died. This can make it more difficult to make a claim.

However, it can still be worth talking to the police as they might decide to investigate the allegations if they believe it will uncover evidence about other abusers, or they might be able to reveal that other victims have made complaints about your abuser.

We understand that, especially where your abuser is still alive, you may feel distressed and nervous about having to go to court. In most cases, we’re able to reach a settlement with the defendant before going to court. However, you do need to be prepared to give evidence in court and discuss the circumstances of the abuse.

In the circumstances that your case does go to a trial or hearing, we will guide you through the process and be with you every step of the way.

The amount of compensation you could receive depends on several factors, including the nature of the abuse you have suffered, how long the abuse occurred, the psychological effects of the abuse, the costs of appropriate therapy and loss of earnings.

You will receive an amount of compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced and ‘loss of amenity’ – the extent to which the abuse has affected your capacity to do things you used to do or should have been able to do if you had not been abused.

You can also recover out-of-pocket expenses that are related to your abuse such as the costs of treatment and travelling expenses for medical appointments. If you have not been able to work as a result of the abuse, a loss of earnings claim can be made.

We will guide you on which losses can be recovered.

There may be several options available to you to fund your claim, a ‘no win no fee’ or conditional fee agreement or a special insurance policy. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the best way to fund your claim.