Personal Injury Claims

Historical Sexual Abuse Claims

Historic Sexual Abuse Solicitors

Historic sexual abuse claims are matters of the utmost sensitivity to the victim of such abuse, with the knowledge that in order to seek compensation they must re-visit times in their life that they would rather not. This may be taking place in conjunction with being a witness in criminal proceedings or having to confront abuse that has happened in circumstances and places where the Claimant should have been safe.

The team at Browell Smith & Co Solicitors has significant experience in seeking compensation for those individuals injured in this way.

It is often difficult for an individual to pursue claims for historic sexual abuse. Nevertheless, the experienced Browell Smith & Co team can guide you through this process with all the sensitivity you would expect.

 

Making a historical sexual abuse claim

The abuse may have occurred many years ago, but the trauma remains present and may indeed never have been spoken of with family and friends. The abuse may have occurred within the family or at the hands of representatives external to the individual eg. youth organisations, prison or youth detention centres, religious organisations, sports clubs, etc. There may also be responsibility on statutory organisations for having failed to investigate circumstances that resulted in a vulnerable young, or old person being placed in a position where they were at risk of being abused and that that abuse did indeed take place.

It is important to obtain expert legal advice in relation to any type of claim for personal injury. It is particularly important to seek representation in this case so that all elements of the claim can be fully-considered and the appropriate level of compensation is recovered where possible.

If you have suffered from incidents of historic sexual abuse please do not hesitate to contact the team at Browell Smith & Co Solicitors.

Contact our expert team today to arrange a free initial consultation at any of our offices, in Newcastle, Cramlington, Ashington, and Sunderland, or alternatively at your home, to discuss your particular requirements.

Dawn Bagley

Solicitor - Director of Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Kathryn Shingles

Associate Solicitor - Personal Injury

Hayley Watson

Legal Clerk - Personal Injury

John Muxworthy

Costs Director and Solicitor

Kirsty Dockerty

Legal Clerk - Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Lauren Gray

Legal Clerk - Personal Injury

Third Parties and Insurance

All statutory authorities are compelled, by law, to carry insurance to pay compensation when an individual has a valid claim of this nature. It is however not so easy to pursue an individual unless they have assets or an estate upon which to pursue the claim as they will not have personal insurance. However, subject to the rules of the scheme, a claim for compensation can be made, where a criminal offence has occurred, against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Making a Sexual Abuse Claim- The Time Limits

As with all claims for personal injury compensation, there are strict time limits within which a claim must be lodged with the court. By the very nature of a claim for historic sexual abuse it may not have been possible to comply with strict time limits for bringing a claim, there are however ways of applying to the court to have the period for service of proceedings extended and in some cases limitation waived.

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