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Child Abuse Claims

Trustpilot

Services in: Child Abuse Claims

    • Children's Home Child Abuse Claims
    • Church Child Abuse Claims
    • Claims Against Social Services
    • School Child Abuse Claims
    • Youth Sports Clubs and Youth Organisation Abuse

If you were abused as a child, or you’re the parent or carer of a child who’s 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.

Contact our team of child abuse solicitors to start your claim for the abuse you or a loved one experienced.

We understand that the unique nature of claims for child abuse requires specialist knowledge, experience and, above all, sensitivity. That's why we’ve a specialist team of solicitors who’ve 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 child physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. We’ll be there for you too.

We were the first UK firm to help a family, who were subjected to severe historic child abuse, claim compensation of over £1 million.

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.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell’s child abuse solicitors?

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.

Alongside our legal experts, you’ll be supported by our Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators. They’re trained clinical experts who can help you identify the support you or your loved one would benefit from. They’ll also help you find that support and make sure it’s local to you.

If the abuse has left you unable to work, our Welfare Benefits team can help you understand what means-tested benefits you could receive.

Legal aid available in some cases
Offices across the UK
Members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers
Experienced child abuse lawyers

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0800 022 3503

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Tom Fletcher
Tom Fletcher Partner - Head of Abuse Meet the team

Child Abuse Claims - More Information

We’ve 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
  • Child abuse in a medical or hospital setting
  • 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 carried out by adults. We’ve 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. We can represent you if this was the case.

First, you need to contact us, and we’ll arrange a free initial consultation in a private and confidential meeting room. We can also do the initial consultation over the phone or by video call if you’d feel more comfortable.

We’ll listen to what’s happened to you or your loved one, and we’ll let you know whether we believe you can make a claim.

Here, we’ll also discuss what funding options are available to you should you make a claim with us.

You’re under no obligation to use our services after this, but if you do decide to, we’ll start gathering evidence. Once we’ve got the evidence, we’ll take your claim to the individual or organisation responsible.

If they accept liability, we’ll work to settle your claim. If they don’t, or they disagree with the compensation we believe you’re entitled to, we might need to start court proceedings.

Even when a trial date is set, claims can still be settled out of court. If your claim does need to go to court, we’ll be by your side each step of the way.

The amount of compensation you’ll be awarded for a child abuse claim depends on:

  • The type of abuse
  • Physical and psychological trauma caused
  • Care or treatment needed
  • The impact on your education and/or ability to work.

Every claim is unique and the amount of time it takes to settle your claim will differ from case-to-case.

No matter how long your abuse claim takes to settle, we’ll be by your side.

Peter

Seeing him suffer because of everything that happened was heart-breaking. He was a decent man that was damaged beyond repair due to what happened to him as a child. We all remain devastated that he is no longer here and if he was he could now receive the care he needed to try and come to terms with what happened.”– Client

Client's sister

Client Story - Lambeth Council Child Abuse Scandal Survivor


One of the country’s worst cases of systemic child abuse took place at various children’s homes under Lambeth Council from the 1950s until 1983. Lambeth Council admitted it had failed to protect the children under their care and set up the ‘Redress scheme’. This scheme helps survivors to claim compensation for what happened to them.

Some of the survivors instructed our specialist abuse lawyers to submit their cases under the Redress Scheme to help them overcome their trauma as best they can.

One of the male survivors we worked with lived under the care of Lambeth Council for years. He was sexually abused over a four year period while at the Shirley Oaks in the 1970s.

After leaving school he joined the military and had a successful career which helped him manage his trauma, giving him structure and purpose to his life.

Unfortunately, after many years of service, he was medically discharged. He struggled without a routine and sadly died several years ago.

After contacting Irwin Mitchell, we got the man’s family a settlement of £125,000 to cope with their loss.

 

 “It’s vital that survivors of abuse don’t suffer in silence. We hope survivors will be comforted by the knowledge that the local authority will treat their complaints with the utmost sensitivity and seriousness.” – Peter Lorence, Associate Solicitor

“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

Peter Lorence

“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.” – Peter Lorence, Associate Solicitor

Read More Client Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an historic child abuse claim?

Yes, even though the time limit for making a claim is three years from the date of the abuse, a court can waive this.

We’ve experience helping abuse survivors and their families get a time limit waived through the court system.

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Can you help if the abuse took place in Scotland?

Yes, we’ve a specialist team that handle our Scottish abuse claims.

Led by Kim Leslie, one of the leading abuse and personal injury lawyers in Scotland, we’re able to offer legal support to Scottish clients.

Our team can also help with Redress Scotland claims.

Can I make a no win no fee child abuse compensation claim?

We can take child abuse claims on a no win no fee basis. However, there can be more suitable options available to you.

During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss funding options with you and make sure you’re aware of all your options.

Read More FAQs

Related Information - Child Abuse Claims

Protecting your rights - find out more about your rights and how we can help.
Child Abuse Claims FAQ - our lawyers answer the common questions people have before making a claim
CICA - find out about the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority and how to make a claim
Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators - we'll ensure you receive the support you need, throughout your case and in the future.

Scottish Flag All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

 

About Irwin Mitchell

Founded in Sheffield in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has always been a bit different. Our advisers really get to know the people and business that we help.

We have offices around the UK so wherever you are, our experts can help.

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