Generally a civil claim for abuse or assaults can be concluded within 6-12 months. We will provide you with regular updates as your claim progresses.

Once we have been able to assess your case, we will give you an idea at the outset of the likely timescale.

It will very much depend on what evidence we need to gather, who we are bringing the claim against and also whether the claim can be settled without court proceedings.

Historic abuse is also known as “non-recent abuse” or “non-accidental abuse” and relates to any physical, sexual or emotional attack inflicted on a person. These attacks may have taken place in a single incident or be repeated over some time.

Historic abuse commonly occurs when the attacker holds a position of power over the victim.

In some cases, if the historic abuse has occurred within an organisational setting, for example, an after-school club or within a religious setting, this might be referred to as Institutional child sexual abuse.

Some examples of this include the following (however, this list is not exhaustive).

• School staff attacking pupils
• Young people abused in children’s homes
• Football coaches preying on children in their coaching teams
• Youth group leaders singling out children (often on trips away from home)
• Religious staff attacking children
• Doctors or hospital staff

Although in many cases we pursue these types of claims through the Civil Court, Redress schemes are in place for very specific types of abuse which occurred within a particular organisation or setting. Redress schemes are designed to provide victims and survivors with compensation without the need to go to Court.

At AbuseClaims.co.uk we can assist victims of abuse to submit a claim through Redress Schemes.

While Redress Scheme claims may appear straightforward, they can be surprisingly complex. Navigating the application process without legal guidance can be challenging, as the requirements are often confusing, and the necessary information can be difficult to gather. With our experienced solicitors by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that we’ll guide you through every step, ensuring your claim is as strong as possible.

Before deciding whether to pursue a claim, it’s crucial to seek initial legal advice to evaluate the merits of your case. At AbuseClaims.co.uk, we offer a free assessment and are happy to discuss your situation at no cost.

If a solicitor determines that your claim has merit, it’s also important to consider the potential impact on your health. Litigation can be a stressful process that may negatively affect your well-being. While we cannot provide medical advice, we must inform you that pursuing a claim may bring up traumatic memories of the abuse, which could impact your mental health.

Please keep in mind that the primary outcome of a successful claim is financial compensation. While you may hope for answers through litigation, most cases settle out of court, which could leave some of your questions unresolved.

Your doctors may advise that revisiting the trauma could hinder your recovery. The decision to proceed should be made in consultation with your medical advisors and is entirely up to you.

If you choose to move forward with a claim, our team will do everything possible to support you and minimise the stress throughout the process.

If the case does not settle, then ultimately the matter would proceed to Court where a Judge would make a determination. Most cases, however, do settle out of Court, so although this is an unlikely eventuality, we cannot rule it out as an impossibility.

If you do have any concerns about this during the process of your claim, then we would be happy to discuss this with you and address any concerns you may have.

AbuseClaims.co.uk is committed to handling your abuse claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything.

If your claim is successful, we will take a percentage of the compensation, meaning we only receive payment when we have achieved a positive outcome for you.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will manage your claim from start to finish, assisting with any questions or concerns along the way. If you prefer, we can assign a female advisor to handle your case.

Your case handler will also provide regular updates throughout the process, ensuring that your experience is as stress-free and smooth as possible.

Historic abuse claims – Oakwood Solicitors