School Child Abuse Claims

We expect that children should be able to go to school and be free from the risk of abuse, but unfortunately this is not always the case. When abuse does happen, it can be difficult to know who to turn to, but you're not alone – we're here to help.

If you or your child were abused at school, our team of solicitors could help you claim compensation. We have a proven track record in helping survivors of child abuse in schools access compensation, as well as the care and support they need to move on from such a traumatic experience.

Child abuse isn't limited to just one kind of school environment. Our lawyers have helped survivors who were abused at state, private, religious and boarding schools, dealing with sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

We've helped hundreds of people that have been abused in a school environment get the compensation that they deserve, in both recent and non-recent cases. If you or a loved one has experienced abuse in a school, please get in touch by calling 0800 022 3503, or by contacting us online for a free consultation with one of our solicitors.

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School 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Would You Claim Against Following Abuse In A School?

School is meant to be a safe place for children to learn, but abusers and paedophiles in positions of trust and authority can take advantage of young people in their care.

Sexual, physical or emotional abuse can be committed by anyone working for or involved with a school, including:

Teachers, lecturers and professors
Cleaners
Support staff
Volunteers
Religious figures associated with the school
Other pupils

Understanding who takes final responsibility for child abuse in schools is a complex issue, and this is where our experienced lawyers can help. We'll determine whether a claim needs to be made against the individual who committed the abuse, or against a wider organisation who failed to protect you.

This abuse can happen in the school, or elsewhere - for example, while on school trips or residential stays. Abusers may also use their position of authority to gain access to a victim outside of the school environment too.

Whether you were subjected to abuse recently or many years ago, we may still be able to help you claim compensation from the school involved, a local authority responsible for the school, or a school's insurer.

If you'd like to find out more, or have any other questions about the process, please don't hesitate to call us on 0800 022 3503 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A School Child Abuse Claim?

There's no easy way to deal with the trauma that school child abuse can leave behind. Whether you were subjected to abuse thirty years ago, or if a loved one has recently experienced abuse, seeking the compensation you deserve can be a very daunting prospect.

We understand the importance of having true experts on your side, and our dedicated abuse solicitors have a proven track record in making successful claims in cases of school child abuse.

Many of our clients in these claims cannot be named for confidentiality reasons, but in one example of a past claim, our client, Steven, was assaulted by his year tutor over a period of the two years.

We made a claim to the local authority - as they were the ones responsible for the acts of the employees in the school - and claimed compensation for acts of abuse, and the psychological effect the event had on Steven. The authority admitted liability, and we were able to arrange a settlement of £34,000 for Steven – find out more about his claim.

Abuse is a thoroughly damaging experience, and one that needs experience, care, support and access to rehabilitation to help restore a victim's life - and Steven's settlement goes some way to covering those requirements.

If you'd like the support of our leading child abuse lawyers, with a great deal of experience in handling school child abuse claims with sensitivity and care, don't hesitate to get in touch. Please contact us on 0800 022 3503, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation about your case.

How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?

In general, you have three years to make a claim, from the date your injury happened or from when you first became aware of it. For children, the three year time limit begins on their 18th birthday.

These time limits do not apply to people who are unable to manage their own affairs because of mental incapacity.

There are also different time limits if your injury or illness happened outside of England and Wales – for example, during international travel or if a defective product is involved. Time limits will vary and can often be much shorter than three years. No Win No Fee agreements can still be used to fund cases involving an injury abroad.

We advise that you get in touch as soon as possible to make sure no time limits pass. To find out more about claim time limits, contact our experts today on 0800 022 3503 who’ll be happy to explain.

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School Child Abuse Claims

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