Child Abuse Compensation Claims

If you were abused as a child, or are the parent or carer of a child that has been abused, it may not feel like there's anyone to turn to. But there are procedures and support systems in place to help, and our child abuse lawyers could help you claim compensation from those responsible.

We understand that the unique nature of claims for child abuse needs specialist knowledge, experience and, above all, sensitivity. That's why we have a specialist team of solicitors who have been handling child abuse claims for nearly two decades.

We'll work closely with you, in total confidentiality, throughout your case. Our solicitors have dedicated their careers to helping survivors of physical and sexual abuse, and we can help you too.

It's perfectly normal to have doubts about making a child abuse compensation claim, with worries about facing an abuser in court chief among them. In our experience, the vast majority of claims are settled out of court and we will work hard to achieve an out-of-court settlement in your case. If you do have to appear in court, we'll be there to represent and support you at every step of the way.

Even if the abuse happened years ago, you may still be able to claim. We've successfully helped people to claim non-recent sexual abuse compensation for abuse that happened decades ago. Whatever the circumstances may be, you're not alone – we're here to help. Contact us online or call on 0800 022 3503 today for a free initial consultation with one of our solicitors.

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Child Abuse Claims - More Information

To make a compensation claim, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with us for a free consultation. We'll discuss the circumstances of your abuse, advise you on whether or not we think you can claim, and work out whether you could benefit from legal aid or a No Win No Fee* arrangement.

If you decide to make a claim with us, we'll usually follow the same four stages:

Investigation. We'll take a full history from you, taking time to understand what happened and when. We’ll note any injuries or psychological trauma you've experienced as a result and we may refer you for a medical or psychological examination to investigate the full impact of your abuser's actions. We may also look into records kept by the police, courts, schools, Local Authorities, or medical institutions. We'll also need to work out who the claim will be made against. It could be an individual, or an organisation either responsible for that person's actions, or for your safety. If it's an individual, our investigators will have to look into their financial assets to find out if they'll be able to pay any settlement we agree.
Rehabilitation. Abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional, can have long-lasting impacts on both physical and mental health, and we'll help you to access any medical or psychological care and support you need, both now and in the future.
Compensation. We'll work out how much compensation you should get based on the severity of your injuries or trauma, your pain and suffering, any medical expenses you've had to pay, and whether your abuser has impacted your ability to find work.
Conclusion. If your opponent accepted blame, you'll be awarded compensation. If not, the case will be settled in court – although this is rare. If you do have to go to court, we'll be there support you every step of the way. If we agreed to handle your claim under a No Win No Fee* arrangement, then you won't have to pay anything if you were unsuccessful.

If you have any questions about the claims process, please contact us today on 0800 022 3503 for your free initial consultation.

I just felt that they were very competent and that I could trust them, which is very important in a case like this. It’s hard to explain – I have nothing but praise about how we were treated.”

Peter, London

Client Story - Paul & Deborah

“An endless thank you to the team at Irwin Mitchell. You brought us justice. You went above and beyond for Paul and I. Thank you for taking our story to heart and fighting for us ceaselessly.” - Deborah

“The prolonged level of physical, sexual and emotional abuse which Paul and Deborah suffered was truly shocking... As a legal team, we were pleased to secure the maximum award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority’s scheme.” – David Withers, Associate

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Does Child Abuse Occur?

We have experience in a wide range of child abuse cases, including:

Abuse or neglect from relatives, including parents, foster parents and guardians, as well as family friends
Child abuse within the church, including claims against Catholic priests and Jehovah's Witnesses
Children's home abuse
School child abuse
Child abuse in the Scouts
Cases where a clear failing has been made by Social Services
Cases involving explicit sexual imagery of children
Abuse from strangers

Abuse isn't always necessarily carried out by adults. We have experience in cases where another child has been responsible for abuse, and we've found significant failures by organisations to protect the children in their care.

However, making a claim isn't limited to these examples, and if you've experienced child abuse of any kind then you could be able to claim. Contact us on 0800 022 3503 for a free consultation – we'll discuss your situation with you and offer our expert advice.

Who Can Claim Compensation For Child Abuse?

If you're the parent or guardian of a child who has been abused, or a survivor of abuse yourself, then you could claim compensation.

You can also claim on behalf of a loved one who has died as a result of abuse, or who lacks the mental capacity to make their own legal decisions.

Making a claim isn’t limited to a certain kind of abuse. We've helped our clients claim child abuse compensation for sexual abuse, as well as physical and psychological harm, and neglect.

It doesn't matter who the abuser was – if someone has taken advantage of their position of trust or authority, or if an organisation responsible for the safety of children has failed to adequately provide protection, then a claim could be made.

You generally have until your 21st birthday to make a claim, but there is often a case for making a claim after this date. Whether or not you'll be able claim for non-recent child abuse is judged on a case-by-case basis by the courts, so it's best to get in touch with us for some advice.

Call us on 0800 022 3503 today for a free consultation. We'll discuss your circumstances, and offer our expert opinion on your options.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Child Abuse Claim?

Child abuse can be difficult to deal with, and it helps to have the experts on your side when trying to seek justice from your abuser, or an organisation that allowed abuse to happen.

Our child abuse lawyers are recognised as leaders in their field, with a proven track record in child abuse claims. Some of our specialist solicitors help lead the legal industry in its approach to child abuse cases:

Tracey Storey coordinates the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers' Special Interest Group on Child Abuse
Tracey and Luke Daniels are on The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers' Executive Committee

Child abuse claims we have made on behalf of our clients include:

Maximum compensation awards for two children who were subjected to horrific child abuse by the family of their foster parents, leaving them in need of therapy for the rest of their lives. The case was originally dismissed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), but we were able to secure the settlement they deserved – find out more about their case.
Compensation for a non-recent case of child abuse within the Catholic church that took place in the 1990s. We challenged laws on time limits and persisted with the claim to ensure our client received compensation – find out more about his case.
Compensation for a young woman who suffered abuse as a result of systematic failures by a local authority that totally denied fault, despite not separating her from an abuser for eight years – find out more about her case.

If you have any questions about making a claim, call us today on 0800 022 3503 for a free consultation with one of our solicitors. Alternatively, you can contact us online and we'll get back to you.

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Child Abuse Compensation Claims

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Child Abuse Claims - More Information

Can I Make A No Win No Fee* Claim?

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