Making a claim after abuse can be an important step in your recovery, whether it provides compensation for ongoing care or helps deliver a sense of justice for what you’ve experienced.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we have decades of experience with both sexual abuse claims and physical abuse claims, always handling your case with care, sensitivity and confidentiality. What’s more, you can start your case with us under our no-win, no-fee promise, where you won’t pay legal fees unless your case is successful. If you are ready to take the next step, get in touch today.
Can I make a claim for sexual or physical abuse?
Yes, you can make a claim if you have suffered sexual or physical harm, emotional trauma or financial loss at the hands of another. You can either make a personal injury claim against the individuals or institutions at fault, a civil claim through the government or a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim, if direct compensation isn’t possible.
If you choose to pursue abuse compensation claims with us, our expert solicitors offer free, no obligation consultations, where we can discuss your personal injury case and see what your next steps should be.
Types of sexual and physical abuse claims
Whether you’re making a claim for sexual abuse or a claim for physical abuse, there are a range of categories within these cases:
Child abuse claims
Child abuse is often perpetrated by people in positions of trust. At Injury LAwyers 4u, we support claims that involve:
- Foster care or local authority care
- Abuse by teachers, coaches, religious figures or care workers
- Failures by social services to investigate or act on abuse reports
And if your abuse happened many years ago as a child, you can still aim for compensation through historic abuse claims or with CICA. These are cases that focus on abuse that happened before the age of 18 and ignore the usual three-year time limit associated with personal injury claims.
Abuse in the workplace
In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers have a duty of care to keep you safe from personal injury and abuse. Whether you experienced sexual harassment, physical violence or neglect from your employer after complaints, these all have grounds for workplace abuse claims.
Abuse in institutions
Institutional abuse can happen in care homes, hospitals, schools, sports clubs or religious institutions. All these parties can be held liable if they played a part in the abuse, failed to prevent it or ignored the warning signs.
If your child is the victim of institutional abuse, you or a litigation friend could make the claim on their behalf.
Domestic abuse claims
Domestic abuse makes up a large percentage of abuse every year. If you have suffered from physical or sexual abuse from a partner or family member, coercive control, emotional abuse or financial manipulation, you might have a case.
Even if a criminal conviction for the abuse has failed, abuse survivors’ legal rights mean you might still be able to make a civil claim or personal injury claim for criminal injuries compensation instead.
How much compensation can I claim for sexual or physical abuse?
Compensation for trauma relating to sexual or physical harm will depend on the specifics of your abuse. This includes your injuries, psychological damage and related financial standing. Settlements in these categories vary widely, so for a good idea of your general damages*, use our compensation calculator.
*Compensation in personal injury cases are split between general damages, covering the pain and suffering of your injuries or trauma, and special damages, covering the financial implications.
For a better understanding of your overall compensation, contact our solicitors. We’ll discuss the intricacies of your case and give you an estimate that better suits you.
How do I make a claim for sexual or physical abuse?
Starting a claim for sexual or physical abuse is simple and confidential with Injury Lawyers 4u. Follow the below steps to begin:
- Contact us — We’ll start off with a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll be matched with one of our solicitors where we’ll discuss your options and case.
- Gather evidence — We’ll assist you in collecting evidence that backs up your case. This might include police reports, medical records, historical care records and witness statements, or anything that could support your claims.
- Making a claim — We will contact the party at fault and notify them of the claim against them.
- Settlement — Many abuse claims are resolved out of court, but if a court appearance is needed, we’ll provide full legal representation and support you throughout.
You can also make a civil claim through the government, or even a CICA compensation claim if the offender can’t be held financially accountable.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a time limit for making a sexual abuse claim?
For personal injury claims, you have a three year time limit to make a claim. For CICA claims, you typically have two years from reporting the abuse to police. For civil claims, the rules can vary, especially for historic abuse. Courts may extend the time limit in exceptional cases. Speak to us to find out where you stand.
Do I need to have reported the abuse to the police?
For personal injury claims, a police report will be key evidence in your case. For CICA claims, a police report is required to make a case. For civil claims, a claim can still be made even if no police report exists.
Will my identity be protected?
All sexual and physical abuse cases are handled confidentially and anonymity can also be granted by the courts during legal proceedings.
What if my abuser has no money to pay compensation?
You can still pursue a CICA claim if your abuser has no money to pay compensation. This will be funded by the government, rather than the individual.
Will I have to go to court?
While most abuse compensation claims are settled out of court, if your case does go to trial, we’ll remain by your side every step of the way.
How to start your claim
Choosing to come forward with a case is never easy, but we’re here to help. Whether you’re ready to begin a claim or simply want to talk through your options, our team is here to listen, without judgement or pressure. Get in touch today to begin.